Decision tools · Compare
Z30 vs A1
Quick take: The A1 has the highest resolution at 50MP; the Z30 is the most affordable; only the A1 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.
Sony
A1 2021
Best for Professional sport, wildlife, portrait & hybrid shooting
£4199
new today at Wex Photo Video
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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.
A1 — Professional Sport, Wildlife, Portrait & Hybrid Shooting: 50MP, 30fps, 8K — the Sony A1 is the most complete professional camera ever made.
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
A1 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who need resolution and speed without compromise
- Sports and wildlife photographers demanding the absolute fastest Sony
- Studio and fashion photographers who also shoot sport or events
- A9 III or A7R V owners who want a single body that does everything
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z30Nikon · 2022 | A1Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £629Best | £4,199 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 50.1MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 30fps electronic with full AF/AEBest |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~430 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 405g (body only)Best | 737g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 128.9 × 96.9 × 80.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet, 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
A1
Portrait
6.3/10
8.2/10
Street
6.5/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.8/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
7.9/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
—
Filmmaking
5.0/10
7.8/10
Documentary
5.4/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
5.6/10
8.8/10
Landscape
4.9/10
7.6/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
8.7/10
Casual
7.3/10
4.8/10
Food
6.8/10
7.4/10
Macro
6.0/10
7.3/10
Architecture
5.3/10
7.9/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
6.8/10
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 →
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