Z30vs A7S II
VS
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
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.
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
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
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
Quick take: The z30 has the highest resolution at 21mp; the z30 is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z30 (2022) | A7S II (2015) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £479 | £799 |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 5fps continuous |
| Battery Life | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ~370 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 405g body only | 584g body only |
| Dimensions | 127.5 × 73.5 × 59.5mm | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I slot | Dual SD UHS-I slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic input, micro HDMI | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z30 | A7S II |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Travel | — | |
| Family & Everyday | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Sports | — |
More comparisons with Z30
Camera family history