Nikon Z 30 content creator review and settings

My Nikon Z30 camera review and comprehensive settings from Nikon Ambassador Jasin Boland.
These settings work across the board for all Nikon Z cameras!
1 tip, make sure your firmware is up to date. Nikons firmware releases are often like getting a brand new camera!
I Am Jasin Boland a Nikon ambassador and motion picture still photographer and I have been using the z6 and z7 since they first came out and now the proud owner of Nikon Z 9 cameras.
I have been shooting the Nikon Z 9, Z6, Z6II, Z7, Z7II on Disney, Marvel and Netflix films including Furiosa, Thor Love and Thunder, Shang-Chi, Mulan, Kate, Escape from Spiderhead, Extraction and Action Unit on the latest Bond film No Time to Die.
I have delivered over 500000 frames from the Z mount and have a pretty good handle on what works and what doesn’t!
Now you may have to tweak these settings to suit your own shooting style and environment but at the very least they will give you a great base to start and reassure you you’re on the right path.
I do my initial edit with Nikon Studio so the picture control settings are great with that and the Control Utility both free on the Nikon download page.
Any questions and tips please leave in the comments!
www.nikon.com.au/en_AU
www.nikon.com/
www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/

[@AndrooH]

Thanks Jasin, that pushed me to hit the 'buy' button. I have all Nikon dSLRs and was looking for a small vlog video cam, almost went to Sony and then Nikon announced this. I think it'll fit in here perfectly :)

[@JasinBoland]

So good to hear Andrew, it's a wonderful little camera! The Vlog Runner... or maybe I should have called it the Vloginator damn it haha!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Nice to see another video from you, Jasin! I've loved the BTS videos you made regarding your pro work, and am always looking forward to the next one. Take care.

[@JasinBoland]

thanks buddy, I'm feeling like I need to do a how to be a film still photographer post...

[@MikeJamesMedia]

@@JasinBoland I'm one who would enjoy that greatly! :)

[@NikCan66]

Another great video

[@Dawaria]

May you please discuss about the battery life of the camera ??

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Thanks Jasin, I bought this little camera used as a casual carry and have been quite impressed with it, even with some of it’s quirks. One thing that bugs me when in selfie mode is that the mic record levels disappear. Do you know if there is a way to customize the display to display them?

[@booshipvideo5513]

I bought Z30. AFS and AFC won't autofocus during videoing zooming (other brand doing it)? When change to video mode the priority S, A not working? Mine only work on Photo mode... Also, I saw one review video mentioned turning on Night Mode... I couldn't find it...??? How to change video ratio on Z30? It actually crop a lot compare to Still image regardless you are using 4k or 1080

[@mightymightyironhead]

Hi Jasin, thanks for sharing the video. I literally just purchased the Z30. I really like the quality and features, But 7 hours charging to get 30 minutes shooting video at 1080p (30) that's extremely disappointing and means to actually get any realistic use out of this camera for video recording outside, i will need to pay for another half dozen batteries and change them every 30 minutes or less and then spend several days just for charging the dead batteries again. Reply

[@victorlim5077]

Footage looks good for a vlogging camera. But I think Nikon needs to launch the DX 12-28mm wide angle zoom on their roadmap quickly.

[@JasinBoland]

especially if they keep bringing out DX bodies.

[@rael_pio]

You can toggle on/off auto ISO, press hold iso button on top and then turn the knob in front.

[@andrewjp4156]

Does Nikon z30 does blurry background picture and video

[@booshipvideo5513]

Z30 need any further firmware update to fullfil the function?

[@JasinBoland]

You should try and keep the firmware up to date

[@csc-photo]

Thanks Jasin! Hey quick question - I'm not sure I understand the difference between: 1080p 120 1920x1080; 120p and 1080x5 24 1920x1080; 24px5 (slow-motion) Is it that the latter "slow-motion" option gives you slow-mo in a 24fps sequence WITHOUT needing to apply a 20% playback speed reduction? (which of course is what I would do to the 1080p 120 footage). I usually use the 1080p 120 setting because it works great for speed-ramping. I'll have to experiment with the "slow-motion" options.

[@JasinBoland]

I'm with you I also use the frame rate options for ramping in Final cut, I believe the slow motion only modes are just that and don't record sound. someone here please correct me if I am wrong.

[@IshankChoudhary]

did you stabalize the video clip?

[@JasinBoland]

No.

[@nasibulalamhimel]

is there any N-Log ?

[@JasinBoland]

On Z 9

[@markshirley01]

Early footage looked jittery and blown out. Its a shame the camera is shown this way, but I suppose it adds a bit of realism to a product that some people will think automatically will give them better video then their phone

[@JasinBoland]

You might recall I mentioned that I had exposure comp set +1/3 and it was early light and a black cap. Under those conditions I’d say I was the one that got it wrong. The camera exposure was exactly what I told it to do. Pretty impressive when you look at the reality don’t you think?

[@markshirley01]

@@JasinBoland not outdoors because my Google Pixel 6 is as solid as a rock for stabalisation and the hdr kicks in nicely to get over high contrast situations. These cameras shine in lowlight compared to phones (this is the audience). If you look at Mark Bennetts comparison with the ZVE10 and the iPhone 13 in lowlight the Z30 does well. Outdoors you may as well pull your phone out indoors these cameras will do the job.

[@JasinBoland]

@@markshirley01 how many lenses you got with that Pixel?

[@markshirley01]

@@JasinBoland three - if I was a vlogger - this isn't why Id buy this camera id buy it for locked off studio work - or fix one of the pancake primes to it to get some DOF on products or objects for broll. The walking around with these cameras has been done to death - its not even a current style except for YT channels showing it being done.

[@JasinBoland]

@@markshirley01 well that’s cool! What’s the 35mm equivalent? Oh and can you get solid coverage 90 degrees to the lens? But yes phones do a good job for what they are.