Nikon Z30 (vs. iPhone 15 Pro) Review

This is a review of the Nikon Z30 Mirrorless camera (and how it stacks up against an iPhone 15 Pro Max). Does the Z30 make sense in a world with high quality smartphone cameras?
z30 sample footage: All footage in this video is shot on the Z30 with the exception of some noted B-roll.
Video Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Specs and Ergo
1:54 - Overall Simplicity
2:37 - Photo Quality
3:50 - Video Quality
4:30 - Summary Final Thoughts

Пікірлер: 68

  • @biswajit07
    @biswajit074 ай бұрын

    Proud owner of the z30...have been using it for almost 2 years now and have never regretted my decision. Comes with an amazing kit lens too. I had the sony zv E10 in mind as well but the 1080 videos on z30 has better clarity compared to the zv E10. Plus there's a huge rolling shutter effect on the Sony (both in 1080 and 4k of course) which was a real bummer for me as I take a lot of videos(vlogs). Also, the kit lens that comes with the z30 is superior to the one that comes with the zv E10. Plus, the lens has built-in Stabilization. Does it's job really well! Also it has a fully functional touch screen which is really useful. The only downside I feel is I can't shoot in Log and I cannot charge the camera while recording videos simultaneously. Not a dealbreaker, of course!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    4 ай бұрын

    thanks for the comment, agree ! overall it is a great camera.

  • @Johnsson25

    @Johnsson25

    2 ай бұрын

    I am also a happy owner of a z30, and I can add that it is better than this Sony in terms of noise.

  • @a.m.6594
    @a.m.65948 ай бұрын

    Nice. Great breakdown.. appreciate it!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    8 ай бұрын

    thank you!

  • @shasha8900
    @shasha89002 ай бұрын

    Great video quality with this. Delighted to see it was the z30

  • @rodneylove8027
    @rodneylove80273 ай бұрын

    Great vid. Quality production.

  • @tonytfuntek3262
    @tonytfuntek32627 ай бұрын

    As a D850 and Z7 shooter I just picked up a Z30 as my vacation camera. It makes it so much easier to handoff the camera to a friend to take a few shots without holding a training session. Also I have the option to utilize my Z mount lenses. It's a great little camera.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    Funny ... and absolutely agree. anytime you hand anyone something other than a smart phone these days you can see how overwhelmed they are to take photo ... Z30 is a prefect "simple" companion .

  • @simval84

    @simval84

    7 ай бұрын

    There's also the Z50 and Zfc that are a tad bigger than the Z30 but include viewfinders. The Z50 is really not much more expensive. I think the Z30 has an edge if you use the onboard mic though.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    @@simval84 from my understanding the Z30 also benefits from some improved software that the Z50 hasn't received in firmware updates.

  • @r1berto1
    @r1berto16 ай бұрын

    I've had a Z30 for about a year. It is small, compact and great for pictures and video. With that flipity-floppy touch screen you don't need a viewfinder. That screen is no match for the South Florida sun, it is much better indoors. I would buy it again. Thanks for posting your video.

  • @hectorsoto294
    @hectorsoto294Ай бұрын

    Good review, congrats.

  • @davemil716
    @davemil7167 ай бұрын

    I love my Z30... it is the camera I use when I just want a simple camera to do "grab" pictures. I don't use it for video. I am strictly a still shooter. I have the Nikon 24mm DX paired with it most of the time. Great, quick video on the Z30.. thanks!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    hey - its really cool to hear that you've found a perfect use for your z30 and its actually somewhat the opposite (photo vs vide) of mine! but that's what it's all about - the right tool for you. thanks for sharing

  • @user-tg2dv2dn3m

    @user-tg2dv2dn3m

    5 ай бұрын

    same with me, z30 + 24 1.7

  • @JasonRidesmoto
    @JasonRidesmoto7 ай бұрын

    I just got one and have been putting it through some trials to find where the best setting are etc. I like how it is weather sealed and come on off-road adventures with me!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    3 ай бұрын

    its a great camera !

  • @JasonRidesmoto

    @JasonRidesmoto

    3 ай бұрын

    @@willsfrantz Just got a gimbal for it!

  • @KetoSimple
    @KetoSimple8 ай бұрын

    I've been using GoPros and my Samsung Note 9 to record all the content on my channel... I'd love to upgrade, I've been looking at the Sony Zv1 MII, would be cool to see a head to head between these two cameras... I know that Nikon is an different type, though the price points are close right?

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    8 ай бұрын

    They are very comparable cameras... the Zv1 does not have interchangeable lens.... for many that is a deal breaker if you ever want to upgrade... good glass (lens) is 50% or more of the quality of what you record and capture.

  • @dusty_burkhalter

    @dusty_burkhalter

    5 ай бұрын

    Having had both, the Z30 IMO is a no brainer. It's cheaper, has a larger sensor (I found my iPhone to be better for pictures than the ZV1), more function buttons and dials to give you a true camera feel, and interchangeable lenses so the camera grows with you and you with it. I owned the ZV1 alongside my professional kit so it was about convenience for me but there is no way I would ever choose that over an interchangeable lens body because it really is a dead end camera, meaning if you want to upgrade you have to start from scratch. Also the ZV1's do not hold their value, ask me how I know.

  • @shasha8900
    @shasha89002 ай бұрын

    Great vid.

  • @aspoonfulofknowledge
    @aspoonfulofknowledge7 ай бұрын

    Great Job!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    thanks!

  • @FernandoC
    @FernandoC2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video! Taking a road trip from California to Alberta with the family and want something better than my Pixel 7 or my wife's iPhone 14 pro and my best DSLR is a Nikon D610. I was looking at one of the RX100's to buy but now thinking that the z30 might be a better option. I don't need something as compact as the RX100 for this trip.

  • @Smitty-op4ld
    @Smitty-op4ld6 ай бұрын

    3:17 the iPhone was focused on closer objects and the Nikon on the shell so the shell looks fuzzy on the iphone, but the grains closer look clear, whereas the shell looks clear on the Nikon, but the grains look blurry. A simple tap on the shell on the screen of the iphone would've fixed that in less than a second then we could have done a comparison.

  • @blainemitchell
    @blainemitchell7 ай бұрын

    What a out the 4k limit and the overheating? Is that an issue, or have you not experienced it? Also, if you have experienced it, how long does it take to cool down and be usable again?

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    believe the 4k limit is 125 minutes . I've never reached it ... suspect unless you are filming Timelapse's you never would reach it. I have not had overheating issues... but the maximum time I've recorded is probably 25 minutes at 4K .... so no issues for me , but good points!

  • @wakeywarrior
    @wakeywarrior2 ай бұрын

    I’ve graduated to a ZVE1 now (no regrets it’s amazing) but the Z30 is a great piece of kit. I’m from the UK and regularly go to Naples Florida also, lovely place, particularly like Lowdermilk. Quite a lot on my channel over about a year was shot with the Z30 (pre ZVE1 I sold it then) and I was very happy with the results. The photos are very nice and the photo colour science with Nikon is unique and very pleasing to the eye. I would highly recommend it to anyone not wanting to spend 3 times the cost on a full frame.

  • @twoblink
    @twoblink3 ай бұрын

    I have a D750 and I got one daughter a Z30 and the other a Zfc; because one wanted a viewfinder and one did not. I have to say; the images from the Z30 are superb... amazingly great.

  • @belgradeaviator
    @belgradeaviator8 күн бұрын

    Every day I discover new possibilities that the device provides. Amazing at all, great camera, especially for non-professional photographers. Video quality is great, colors are vivid. everything is so natural. Nice comment, i agree with everything

  • @SSGrille
    @SSGrille7 ай бұрын

    Great video. I agree the Z30 is a great camera designed for content creators. I use mine weekly for videos I create for a non-profit. The only flaw I have with the camera is that you cannot send the extra screen information out to an HDMI connected monitor. I am still hoping for a firmware update to allow this. Almost all of my shoots require a teleprompter, so you can never see the LCD screen. Connected to an external monitor I can only go by the overall image, and the monitor’s built in Focus Assist, I cannot see the tracking box, audio levels, battery life, etc. So I soon will be buying a Sony ZVE10, an almost identical level camera with just that one feature added. If anyone out there has any info on if this will be added, or even anyone knowing how to hack the firmware, I would rather do that, than start down a whole new Sony eco system.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    thanks for checking out the video. all good points... Sony ZVE10 also a great camera - hope that also works out great for you!

  • @AnggaSteve
    @AnggaSteve6 ай бұрын

    The photos are amazingly great but why the heck the videos are so shaking. I want to buy one but the stabilizer is kinda bad 😢

  • @TJ_Wayne
    @TJ_Wayne7 ай бұрын

    I think I want it

  • @69aman
    @69aman4 ай бұрын

    should i get z30 or zve10 for youtube videos and vlogging ???

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    3 ай бұрын

    z30!

  • @jyscenes6496
    @jyscenes6496Ай бұрын

    Which lens you use during the a-roll? The 16-50 kit lens?

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    Ай бұрын

    yep... kit lens

  • @jyscenes6496

    @jyscenes6496

    Ай бұрын

    @@willsfrantz thank you for the reply 😊

  • @ImHvar
    @ImHvar6 ай бұрын

    Thank for the video I was wondering if i should buy it or not

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    3 ай бұрын

    highly suggest it !

  • @dr.saadawy
    @dr.saadawy26 күн бұрын

    may I ask, if i'm shooting a multicam video using both the 15 pro (log) and the nikon z30 with flat picture, how can I color edit both of the footages to sync in color? I guess you're the only person who can answer this since you have both 🤓

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    26 күн бұрын

    I'd suggest using DaVinci Resolve first of all, it's the best for color. ultimately though, they are two different cameras with two different formats/ color sciences/ etc... I'd suggest letting default LUTS get them to 'normal' go from there.

  • @ciudadanosdelcosmos
    @ciudadanosdelcosmos5 ай бұрын

    z30 is not for 4k video,,(overheating)-- neither filmmakers,,,its just amazing for photography (with out viewfinder)...

  • @ciudadanosdelcosmos

    @ciudadanosdelcosmos

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks

  • @petersuvara
    @petersuvara7 ай бұрын

    I actually stream live using f mount lenses on the z30. It’s a beauty!

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    awesome to hear there is another pleased z30 user!

  • @PhilChandlerArts
    @PhilChandlerArts19 күн бұрын

    I've been using my z30 since October... I think it should be said that even at 1080p, I still get much better video quality than my iPhone 13. I still take it with me if I know I'll be taking photos just because the photos and video just look so much sharper.

  • @maryamarifin
    @maryamarifin4 ай бұрын

    I have Z30, and simply love it. I carry it with me everywhere - its light, small size. I can use my old lenses eg Nikkor Macro 60mm with FTZ II.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    4 ай бұрын

    its an east grab and go' camera for sure

  • @ahn5656
    @ahn56566 ай бұрын

    Very good review! Without the loud music back ground, your video and review would be perfect, though.

  • @pjc3163
    @pjc31635 ай бұрын

    Don't forget the ND filter for shooting video! ;)

  • @adrianvanleeuwen
    @adrianvanleeuwen7 ай бұрын

    The problem with iphone photos and even the iphone 15, are the photos although sharp, usually look too much over-processed. Tony and Chelsea Northrup on their YT channel also say this in their current review of this phone, over most regular cameras DSLRs and mirrorless. If you want better high-quality photos with a more "natural look", and less noisy grain, the Nikon Z30 beats this phone hands down. You cannot beat a larger sensor, especially compared to the heavy processing look of an iphone image. Phones are used for convenience (and offer general quality in good light (but less so in poor light) that the common public are okay with for quick snaps). iPhones certainly are not better in image quality for photo and video but are good enough for general users, and short B roll video.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    7 ай бұрын

    totally agree regarding the 'over processing' and 'over sharpness'.... I think that is one reason the RAW video on the iPhone is so useful, is that it doesn't do all that over processing... you can of course shoot RAW photos on the iPhone too but that sort of negates the point in my opinion. The barrier of entry for a Mirrorless or DSLR camera that shoots RAW photos is pretty low... and if you are going to go through the trouble of editing RAW then you may as well get a real camera.... However - the barrier for entry for a RAW 4k Video camera is pretty dang high... and the fact the iPhone does this also is probably its biggest benefit for creators.

  • @Smitty-op4ld
    @Smitty-op4ld6 ай бұрын

    3:18 Maybe i'm missing it, but I can't see how that can be a reason why Nikon didn't make it a picture camera. It's certainly a reason why it's not your choice of picture camera. The exact argument could be made by someone favoring it for pictures vs video. Most use their iphone for pictures because they don't have a more professional video camera.

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    6 ай бұрын

    good point - but really just my opinion of who this camera is primarily created for and marketed towards... it's still a great photo camera.

  • @patrick.771
    @patrick.7713 ай бұрын

    Perfect for bike tours or hiking where I often see beautiful things and want to take photos better than those my iPhone can make I‘d say 😊

  • @willsfrantz

    @willsfrantz

    3 ай бұрын

    agree! great little camera

  • @yougotfamily
    @yougotfamily3 ай бұрын

    Yeah, the z30 is fairly under rated. I make great use of it for real estate stills using a 10-20mm Nikon lens with a FTZ mount. Video quality is solid for talking head stuff too. I wouldn’t try to have it punch above its weight (sports and fast moving shots).

  • @infinitymusic1016
    @infinitymusic10165 ай бұрын

    im 720 subscriber

  • @mgotovac
    @mgotovac7 ай бұрын

    We need camera like Z30. Compact size, photo/video superb quality, great AF. Camera that you would rather take with you than your Iphone. But Nikon deliberately crippled Z30 in order not to compete with other lineup cameras. First thing, Nikon do not make premium, fast and compact DX glass. Second, Nikon does not put high end features in Z30. Third, social network connectivity is a must if you want to have smartphone killer. Look how great DJI app is.

  • @adrianvanleeuwen

    @adrianvanleeuwen

    7 ай бұрын

    There are several prime Z lenses to put on the Z30 which include Z 28mm, Z 24mm, Z 50mm, Z40mm. While 3 of these primes are made for FF Z cameras, they can be used on Z30 as same mount. The Z24 F1.4 is made for Z DX only. The issue here is the general public buying the Z30 may likely only buy a kit lens plus one other lens for this market type. There are a few 3rd party DX lenses for Z mount from Sigma and Viltrox made for Nikon Z DX line of cameras. So a pro and semi pro, advanced hobbyist has plenty of lens choices.

  • @mgotovac

    @mgotovac

    7 ай бұрын

    @@adrianvanleeuwen Z24 is F/1.7 not F/1.4. Other FF options are too large for compact crop camera.

  • @pamtrip2
    @pamtrip2Ай бұрын

    Hi handsome

  • @Stoiction
    @Stoiction5 ай бұрын

    Miss matched😂