Z30vs A7R VI
Sony
A7R VI (2025)
Starting from £4399 new
Best for Studio, landscape and commercial photographers needing maximum resolution
View A7R VI
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.
Studio, Landscape And Commercial Photographers Needing Maximum Resolution — A7R VI (2025): The A7R VI cements its place as the resolution flagship of the Sony full-frame range — 61MP, AI-driven autofocus, and 8K video make it as capable for video and action work as it is for studio and landscape photography. The price reflects its position at the top of the lineup, but the capability is hard to match.
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
A7R VI (2025)
- Studio and commercial photographers who need maximum resolution for large prints and heavy cropping
- Landscape photographers who want best-in-class dynamic range and detail
- Hybrid shooters who need 8K video alongside a 61MP stills sensor
- Professionals upgrading from the A7R V who want faster AI-driven autofocus
Quick take: The a7r vi has the highest resolution at 61mp; the z30 is the most affordable; only the a7r vi is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z30 (2022) | A7R VI (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 | £4,399 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 61MP full-frame stacked back-illuminated CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 61.0MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 8K 30fps, 4K 120fps oversampled |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | AI processing unit — subject recognition for people, animals, birds and vehicles across the frame |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | In-body 5-axis IS, up to 8.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 8fps mechanical / 7fps electronic with full AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~530 shots (CIPA, NP-FZ100) |
| Weight | 405g body only | 723g (body with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 131.3 × 96.9 × 82.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None | EVF, 9.44M-dot, up to 120fps |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2-inch 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen, 3.69M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual slots — CFexpress Type A / SD (UHS-II) |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | USB-C (10Gbps), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.0, 2.5GbE |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z30 | A7R VI |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Casual | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history