Nikon and photography are pretty much synonymous, as anyone who's sung along to "Kodachrome" is sure to know. So it's definitely news that the company's latest, the Z 30 mirrorless, is a video-first hybrid, not a stills-biased photo camera.
It's a departure in approach from the stalwart giant of the industry, though we'll note Nikon put great video features into its cameras even in the DSLR era, and dipped its toes into the action cam space with its failed KeyMission series.
But the change in form factor is striking. The Z 30 cuts out the electronic viewfinder that's been included in every other Z-mount body to date. It uses the space to add a stereo microphone, and opts for a flip-out display as a monitor and viewfinder. The video-first body style is a first for a Nikon consumer camera.
From a technical perspective, the Z 30 isn't too much different from the other APS-C (DX in Nikonspeak) sensor cameras, the Z 50 and Z fc. It uses a 20MP sensor, includes a mechanical focal plane shutter for photography (with a fully electronic shutter option) and supports 11fps continuous drive. Like the others, Nikon omits weather protection—that feature is currently restricted to its full-frame line.
For Vloggers and Creators
For video, the Z 30 rolls 4K UHD footage at up to 30fps; you'll need to drop down to 1080p if you prefer the 60fps look, or want to push to 120fps for slow-motion. The camera relies on in-lens and electronic stabilization; the latter introduces a bit of a crop, so you may want to look for a wide-angle lens. As of now the DX 16-50mm is the widest made-for-APS lens for the system, but there is a DX 12-28mm on the Z lens development roadmap.
The faceplate includes a red tally lamp, a useful tool to let you know the camera is recording when presenting to camera. Video autofocus is also tuned for presenting to an audience thanks to added support for eye detection. Video pros can access a flat profile to take control of color in post-production, and folks who don't want to fiddle around with footage to get an interesting look can reach to any of the 20 in-camera Creative Picture profiles instead.
We've not had a chance to test the Z 30, so we don't know how good its stereo microphone is. A rep from Nikon is very positive on the fidelity, telling us it has "really good sound" for recording close to camera. The 3.5mm mic input is there if you want to use a wireless mic or have reason to use a shotgun mic. We'll note the windscreen accessory is not included—it's a $9.95 add-on. The Z 30 doesn't have a headphone jack either, so you won't be able to easily monitor your audio while recording.
Z 30 owners can add the Creators Accessory Kit if they're looking for a mic. It includes the Rode VideoMicro shotgun mic, a SmallRig Tripod Grip, and the Nikon ML-L7 Bluetooth remote. The SmallRig grip has a clever design that holds the remote. The kit is a $149.95 add-on.
As for the Z 30 itself, it's priced at $709.95 as a body only and is expected in mid-July. If you don't already have a lens you'll want to look to a kit. You can get the camera with the Z DX 16-50mm F3.4-6.3 for $849.95; in a dual-lens kit with the 16-50mm and the Z DX 50-250mm F4.5-6.3 for $1,199.95; or with the Z DX 18-140mm F3.5-6.3 for $1,149.95.
Also Announced: Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S
Nikon is also adding a new lens to the Z system, the super telephoto Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S. The prime lens is a good fit for sports and wildlife work, and outdoor photographers will love its best feature—a 2.6-pound carry weight (2.7 with the tripod collar) and 9.3-by-4.1-inch barrel.
Nikon touts an optical design that limits oversized lens elements to the front for the weight-saving—this lens does not use exotic Phase Fresnel optics like some of Nikon's other ultra-light telephotos, like the AF-S 300mm F4E PF ED VR for SLRs.
The smaller lens elements have an added engineering benefit—they allow Nikon to use STM motors to drive focus. A representative tells us using STM instead of the faster SSVCM in the $14,000 Z 400mm F2.8 was a cost-saving decision, but the lens still manages enough speed for wildlife and sports.
As an S-Line optic the lens is weather-sealed and includes anti-smudge fluorine on its 95mm front element. In-lens stabilization provide 5.5 stops of compensation, and it's extended to 6-stops with one camera, the Nikon Z 9. Teleconverters are supported too, and Nikon claims that there's no loss of image quality when using the 1.4x extender.
Telephoto lenses often have extra on-barrel controls and the Z 400mm F4.5 is no exception. Here you get L-Fn and L-Fn2 buttons, along with a Memory Recall function to store an autofocus distance in memory—it's handy for sports photogs who want to snap back to home plate or the end zone with a button press, as well as wildlife photographers keeping an eye on a bird feeder.
The Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S is set for a July release and is priced at $3,249.95.