Decision tools · Compare
Z30 vs Z50
Quick take: The Z30 is the most affordable; only the Z50 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z30 — Travel & Everyday Video: Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.
Z50 — Beginner, Travel, Everyday: Nikon's Z system at its most accessible.
Who should buy what
Z30 (2022)
is the right camera for you if…
- Vloggers and content creators who don't need an EVF
- Beginners entering the Nikon Z system at the lowest price point
- Streamers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera for desk use
- Travel and lifestyle shooters who want a compact APS-C Z body
Z50 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- Nikon DSLR users wanting a lighter mirrorless
- First-time enthusiast camera buyers
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z30Nikon · 2022 | Z50Nikon · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £629 | £499Best |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 405g (body only) | 397g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 126.5 × 93.5 × 60.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z30
Z50
Portrait
6.3/10
6.6/10
Street
6.5/10
6.3/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
5.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
—
Filmmaking
5.0/10
4.8/10
Documentary
5.4/10
5.8/10
Sports & Action
5.6/10
6.8/10
Landscape
4.9/10
5.3/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
7.2/10
Casual
7.3/10
5.4/10
Food
6.8/10
6.0/10
Macro
6.0/10
5.6/10
Architecture
5.3/10
5.1/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
5.2/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
Next
More comparisons with Z30
Camera family history