Nikon Z30 Unboxing + Comprehensive Real World Review

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Are you considering buying the Z30? If so for what purpose?

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

If I were to buy one, it would be used mainly for video and mostly at the desk. I was impressed by the quality of the internal mics and low-light video. Thank you for sharing. Peace and Safe Travels

[@valerio_c]

Hi Raph a question, does autofocus work in slowmo mode? For example Phase detection in 120p? Eye tracking?

[@biglah4140]

Looking to get one for traveling, as a hybrid, for taking photos and short video clips.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@biglah4140 it’s be a great travel camera if you’re ok with the no viewfinder.

[@biglah4140]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography thanks champion!

[@wakeywarrior]

When you are pressing to focus on something on the background it is telling the camera to focus not on your face, so it is continuing to do that.

[@goactivemedia]

A real world review right after opening the box. I am going buy a Z30 but wow I would not do a real review on it till I have been shooting with it for a few months. I have the Z50 I have been using and I can tell you a lot of things I dont like about it after using it on many videos I would have never found right away just testing it.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

But that’s the beauty of it right, then you can do a 6 months later review on what some of your learning is.

[@lanae6610]

Such a pleasant personality! I could watch these videos all day! Thanks for the info

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks so much Lanae. Fortunately there is a significant back catalogue for you to work through 😂

[@wakeywarrior]

I have bought one and it’s phenomenal for my case use. First priority is to be able to get it in a jacket pocket. Missing the viewfinder allows that. Low light performance is fantastic. Microphone is fantastic. Both photos and video straight out of camera is great. I have had zero autofocus issues with mine. It’s nearly as good as Sony.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

So good to hear mate 🙌 I’m really enjoying mine.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Microphone is amazing. I’ve not been so impressed with the low light 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@R2X2Z]

more like user error...when you press something on the screen (tap to focus), you just told the camera to focus on that object and track it. Only way it goes back to you is you have to tap on your face again. Best test is turn it on, have it track your eye (which it will), point to something else and point again to your face, etc...I do have the Z30 and Z6 and Z9.

[@PradeepKumar-tq4ev]

How is autofocus and how is 1080p indoor video. Is it good as outside. Pls say. Thanks.

[@PradeepKumar-tq4ev]

Does it have both digital and electronic stabilisation. Pls say. Im very much confused over sony zv 10 with it. Which one to buy 😔😔

[@jessicagracew]

Thanks for this video! I just purchased this camera, but now I’m wondering if I have the best one for vlogging. I definitely don’t want any challenges with autofocus and tracking 🥴

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

It serves me very well. Put it on Af-F and face recognition and you’ll be stoked!

[@BeersInJapan]

The Internal Mic is better! Also change the settings to Voice Priority in a loud area.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Ahh great tip. Thanks.

[@csc-photo]

Thanks for the helpful info, great review. I have this Z30 & 16-50 kit on my wish list, waiting for rebates sometime next year. It would be a dedicated video camera for me, especially with the combination of flippy screen and no EVF (for stills, I absolutely need a centered tilt screen for low / high angle shooting, otherwise I live in the EVF). Re: Mic, the external mic actually sounds much much thinner - somehow the built-in mic wins here. Did you have the SmallRig deadcat attached? The other thing I haven't heard anyone talk about is the Z30's strap mounts - no dangly rings! I'd like to see this in most (all?) future Nikon bodies. EDIT - You mentioned them! 😆

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

The step mounts are awesome aren’t they!! Yep I’m camera audio was really good. Those mix didn’t have a dead Kat on it. I was surprised at the quality contrast. Thanks very much Craig. Stay tuned for further updates as they come to light.

[@gregoz6]

I think you might have gotten lost on the focus thing, when I click on the screen to show some item behind me it stays focused there until i cancel it. That is the purpose of it I guess, otherwise, it will constantly go back to your face, which is not in many cases the point. Good review though. I am still on the fence with the Z30 or Sony ZV1, this small camera has a lot to offer.

[@CarGimbo]

I would be interested to know which one you choose Sony or Nikon?

[@gregoz6]

@@CarGimbo I decided to keep Nikon Z30. Overall it’s a newer technology an more accurate colours. Sony ZV1 struggled at night, I was getting weird memory errors.

[@amermeleitor]

Do you recommend to enter into the Nikon Z system or Sony E? I feel it's a risky move to go with Nikon, I'm afraid about the future of Nikon as they have less and less market share

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Good question. If you have existing f mount Nikon lenses then it’s worth staying with Nikon. They’ll exist into the future and their newer cameras are better and improving. If I wasn’t invested in Nikon I would have gone to Sony but it’s important to realise the Sony glass is more expensive than Nikon. If you’re super cashed up Sony is the way to go.

[@CarGimbo]

Thanks Ralph for the review.. ❤

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Appreciate that. Thanks mate.

[@carlxien7682]

thank u！ sending love from China it really helps

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

STOKED TO HEAR THAT. THANK YOU!

[@felm.974]

Thank you, all you need now is a variable aperture ND filter for sunny days.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Right on 👌 thanks.

[@gambet0007]

I "think" UHS II does work, my kit came with 64GB UHS 2 card, 290 Mb/s speed, so I would assume it does work, but not sure.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Yeah I think you’re right 👍

[@leonfisher]

While I won't be considering the Z30 I enjoyed the review. Hopefully, the focus issues are address in some future update. I was surprised at the end when you said that you are going to keep it. Thought for sure it was going back in the box.

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Cheers Leon. I think the firmware will catch up. Especially since Nikon will watch this review 😂😂😂 in light of that, is why I’m committing to use it. I can fix those issues pointed out just takes a bit of time and awareness. The Zfc annoys me with its control positions.

[@valerio_c]

I've seen videos where other youtubers exalted the reliability of autofocus, try setting the parameters, speed and sensitivity... and use viltrox 13/23/56 mm to get the best from this camera

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

I’d rather not buy extra lenses to help the camera. Since using it extensively since this video it’s only needed a little assistance in making the auto focus work as it should.

[@Audimann]

So the guy at the Nikon plant who assembles the viewfinder in cameras was on a holiday or something😅

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

Haha “you had one job!”

[@Audimann]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography I guess Nikon had a serious boardroom meeting about how to cripple the Z30 like hell. I am suprised they even put a sensor in it🤣

[@RalphMayhewPhotography]

@@Audimann hahaha

[@Audimann]

@@RalphMayhewPhotography Ok I slayed the Z30 enough. Sure there will be an audience for this camera. But I will hold on to my D850 if you don't mind. Even use the D4 and D3s. Will never sell these tanks.