Z30vs A7R
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, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
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 (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z30 (2022) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 | £349 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 405g body only | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE (full-frame 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 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z30 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Architecture | — |
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