Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5→Nikon Z30
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the D5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Z30
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
-
Generation6 years newer (2022 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (21MP)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | D5 | Z30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | -6.0 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Street | -1.0 | ||
| Portrait | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Travel | — | ||
| Family & Everyday | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5 | Z30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,800 | £479 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2022 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | |
| Autofocus | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | |
| Stabilisation | — | None (no IBIS) | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical | 11fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~3780 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1405g (body only) | 405g body only | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage | None | |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon Z-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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