Upgrade Guide
Nikon Z5→Nikon Z30
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Z5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Z30
-
Burst rate11fps vs 4.5fps
-
Generation2 years newer (2022 vs 2020)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution21MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Z30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.0 | ||
| Travel | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Everyday | — | ||
| Sports | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +5.0 | ||
| Family & Everyday | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Sports & Action | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Z5 | Z30 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £479 | |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 21MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K/30p, 4K/60p (with crop), 1080p/120p | |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | Phase-detect, 209 points, subject tracking (human/animal/vehicle) | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None (no IBIS) | |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 11fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ~300 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 405g body only | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | None | |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I slot |
Compare side-by-side
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Other upgrades from the Z5
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Camera family history