Decision tools · Compare
Z30 vs A6000
Quick take: The A6000 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A6000 is the most affordable.
Where the Z30 wins
- Documentary: 5.4 vs 4.0
- Casual: 7.3 vs 4.4
- Food: 6.8 vs 5.5
- Macro: 6.0 vs 5.0
- Astrophotography: 5.4 vs 4.6
Where the A6000 wins
- Cheaper new: £125 vs £629
- Resolution: 24.3MP
- Battery Life: ~360 shots (CIPA)
- Weight: 344g (with battery and card)
- Street: 7.6 vs 6.5
16 specs side by side·15 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
- A6000 120 × 67 × 45 mm · 344 g
The A6000 is 8 mm narrower, 7 mm shorter, 15 mm slimmer and 61 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.
A6000 — Entry-Level Mirrorless & Budget E-Mount: The Sony that started a generation of E-mount loyalty — 11fps, 24MP, and 179 phase-detect points in a compact body that remained excellent value for nearly a decade.
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
A6000 (2014)
is the right camera for you if…
- First-time mirrorless buyers who want a capable, proven body at the lowest price
- Sony E-mount users who want a compact backup or second body
- Parents and travellers who want good image quality without a large camera
- Anyone curious about APS-C mirrorless who wants to try the system affordably
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z30Nikon · 2022 | A6000Sony · 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £629 | £125 usedBest |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP APS-C Exmor APS HD 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) | 179 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect AF points |
| Stabilisation | No stabilisation | No stabilisation |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~360 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 405g (body only) | 344g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 119.9 × 66.9 × 45.1mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | No viewfinder | EVF, OLED 1.44M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 921k dots (no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | 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
A6000
Portrait
6.3/10
6.3/10
Street
6.5/10
7.6/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.5/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
4.6/10
Vlogging & Video
6.3/10
—
Filmmaking
5.0/10
—
Documentary
5.4/10
4.0/10
Sports & Action
5.6/10
6.2/10
Landscape
4.9/10
4.8/10
Wildlife
6.1/10
6.7/10
Casual
7.3/10
4.4/10
Food
6.8/10
5.5/10
Macro
6.0/10
5.0/10
Architecture
5.3/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
4.6/10
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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