Z30vs A1 II

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon Z30 Nikon Z30 (2022) Starting from £479 new Best for Travel & everyday video View Z30
VS
Sony A1 II Sony A1 II (2025) Starting from £6500 new Best for Professional sports, wildlife & high-resolution studio work View A1 II

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Travel & Everyday Video — Z30 (2022): Nikon's lightest Z-mount body — no fuss, excellent subject tracking, and a flip screen for creators.

Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work — A1 II (2025): The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.

↓ Full specifications below

Z30 (2022)

  • 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

A1 II (2025)

  • Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
  • Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
  • Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
  • Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best

Quick take: The a1 ii has the highest resolution at 50mp; the z30 is the most affordable; only the a1 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification Z30 (2022)A1 II (2025)
Price £479 £6,500
Sensor 20.9MP APS-C CMOS 50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS
Resolution 20.9MP 50.1MP
Video 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p 8K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, 4K/240p super slow-motion
Autofocus Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) AI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train
Stabilisation None (no IBIS) 8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS)
Burst Rate 11fps 30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanical
Battery Life ~300 shots (CIPA) ~530 shots (CIPA)
Weight 405g body only 743g body only
Dimensions 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm
Weather Sealed No Yes
Viewfinder None EVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available
Screen 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots
Mount Nikon Z-mount Sony E-mount (full-frame)
Memory Cards Single SD UHS-I slot Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots
Connectivity USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size
Genre Z30A1 II
Vlogging & Video
9.0
9.0
Travel
9.0
7.0
Family & Everyday
9.0
Portrait
7.0
9.0
Street
7.0
Sports & Action
4.0
Sports
9.0
Wildlife
9.0
Landscape
9.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side Z30 prices → A1 II prices →

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