Decision tools · Compare
Z30 vs A5100
Quick take: The A5100 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A5100 is the most affordable.
Where the Z30 wins
- Burst Rate: 11fps
- Portrait: 6.3 vs 5.4
- Wedding & Events: 4.8 vs 3.5
- Vlogging & Video: 6.3 vs 4.8
- Documentary: 5.4 vs 4.1
Where the A5100 wins
- Cheaper new: £102 vs £629
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~400 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 224g (body only)
- Street: 7.0 vs 6.5
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
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.
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Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- Z30 128 × 74 × 60 mm · 405 g
- A5100 110 × 63 × 36 mm · 283 g
The A5100 is 18 mm narrower, 11 mm shorter, 24 mm slimmer and 122 g lighter than the Z30.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
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.
A5100 — Casual & Travel: The A5100 is one of the smallest APS-C mirrorless cameras ever made. Its 24MP sensor, phase-detect AF, and selfie-friendly flip screen pack remarkable capability into a shirt-pocket-sized body. No EVF or hot shoe limits it for serious use, but as a compact travel camera or beginner's first mirrorless, it punches well above its price on the used market.
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
A5100 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- Beginners stepping up from a smartphone
- Compact travel photographers
- Casual vloggers who want APS-C quality
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z30Nikon · 2022 | A5100Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £629 | £102 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 24.3MPBest |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Hybrid phase-detect / contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 11fpsBest | 6fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 405g (body only) | 224g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 109.6 × 62.8 × 35.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | No viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" flip-up touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD / MemoryStick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
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
A5100
Portrait
6.3/10
5.4/10
Street
6.5/10
7.0/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
3.5/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
4.8/10
Filmmaking
5.0/10
—
Documentary
5.4/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.6/10
4.7/10
Landscape
4.9/10
5.0/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
5.5/10
Casual
7.3/10
5.2/10
Food
6.8/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.0/10
5.2/10
Architecture
5.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
4.7/10
Fun & simple
—
4.9/10
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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