Z30vs A7 II
VS
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.
Travel, Portrait — A7 II (2014): The camera that proved full-frame IBIS was possible in a compact body.
Who should buy what
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
A7 II (2014)
- Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want full-frame on a budget
- Film shooters adapting vintage lenses (IBIS helps enormously)
Quick take: The a7 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z30 is the most affordable; only the a7 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z30 (2022) | A7 II (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 | £549 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 1080p 60fps |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | 117-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS, 4.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 5fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | 350 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 405g body only | 599g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None | EVF 0.71× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.23M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-Mount |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | SD / Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | Wi-Fi, NFC, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z30 | A7 II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
More comparisons with Z30
Camera family history