Nikon Zfc vs Z30

In this Nikon Zfc vs Z30 comparison, we will look at the wonderfully retro Nikon Zfc and see how its specifications compare against the much cheaper Nikon Z30. And how does the new Z30 compare against the Nikon Z50?

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What is the Nikon Zfc

The Nikon Z fc is a retro-styled mirrorless camera for Nikon’s Z mount. Like the Nikon Z50, the Zfc features a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor capable of producing high-quality images. Read more about the Nikon Zfc

In many ways, it’s easier to consider the Nikon Zfc as a Z50 wrapped in a retro body. In terms of specifications, both are a match for the other. But in terms of operation, the Nikon Zfc can be driven with its manual dials while the Z50 operates much like most other modern cameras. However, the Nikon Zfc is hardly old-fashioned and features a modern blog/selfie-friendly, fully articulating screen, while the Z50 makes do with a simple tilt screen.

What is the Nikon Z30

The Nikon Z30 is a Z50 with no viewfinder. But like the Nikon Z fc, the Z30 gets a blog-friendly fully-articulating screen. And this is a good thing since Nikon is marketing the Nikon Z30 as a blogging camera for content creators.

But in reality, the Nikon Z30 appears to be marketed as a blogging camera due to the absence of a viewfinder, as the Nikon Zfc is an equally capable camera for content creation.

That being said, the Nikon Z30 does offer a cheaper route into Nikon’s Z system. Furthermore, the absence of a viewfinder makes the Nikon Z30 lighter and more compact. And for long-term smartphone users, the advantages of a viewfinder may not be missed.

Looks aside, the Nikon Zfc and Z30 are very similar and may even share the same innards.

Image and Video Performance

The Nikon Z30 and Zfc appear to share the same APS-C 20.9-megapixel sensor, also used in the Nikon Z50. Furthermore, both cameras feature a 209-point eye-detect-enabled autofocus system, shooting up to 5fps with full autofocus and 11 fps without. Read Nikon Zfc vs Nikon Z5

As for recording video, both cameras max out at 4K30p, though the Nikon Z30 can record for a little longer. And since both cameras feature fully articulating screens and a 3.5mm mic jack, the Z30 and Zfc are equally well suited for vlogging.

As for recording behind the camera, neither the Nikon Z30 nor Zfc offers a headphone jack nor sensor-based image stabilization. And while both offer a 3inch 1040k-dot screen, the Nikon Zfc’s viewfinder will be advantageous when the rear screen is overcome with glare.

Bodies

Thanks to the absent viewfinder, the Nikon Z30 and smaller and lighter. But the Nikon Zfc is a lovely camera and packs an excellent viewfinder. And its controls are more aligned with other Nikon cameras. And you may find the Nikon Zfc’s array of manual dials offers a more engaging user experience.

Viewfinder

There are pros and cons to having a viewfinder. First of all, they add size, weight, and cost. On the other hand, a viewfinder enables you to keep shooting in the brightest of conditions.

But an overlooked advantage of shooting through a viewfinder is stability. With a viewfinder, you hold the camera close to your body, where you are mostly steady. In contrast, you’ll be using the Nikon Z30 at near arm’s length – a physically weaker position that will increase camera shake and result in blurred photos.

Price

The Nikon Z30 is cheaper than the Nikon Zfc and the older Nikon Z50.

Nikon Zfc vs Z30 vs Z50 Specifications

What’s the difference between the Nikon Zfc and Z30 in terms of specifications?

	Nikon Z30	Nikon Zfc	Nikon Z50
Release Date	29th June 2022	29th June 2021	10th October 2019
Release Price (US$)	$709 (Body Only)	$960	$856
Sensor
Sensor Size	APS-C	APS-C	APS-C
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS	CMOS
Megapixels	20.9	20.9	20.9
Native ISO Range	100-51200	100-51200	100-51200
In-body Image Stabization	No	No	No
Rating	n/a	n/a	n/a
Autofocus
AF Type	Hybrid Phase/Contrast Detect	Hybrid Phase/Contrast Detect	Hybrid Phase/Contrast Detect
AF Focus Points	209	209	209
AF Sensitivity	-4.5 – +19 EV	-4.5 – +19 EV	-4 – +19 EV
AF Coverage		87%
Shutter
Max Shutter Speed	1/4000	1/4000	1/4000
Max Shutter FPS (AF+AE)	5fps	5fps	5fps
Electronic Shutter	No	No	No
Max E-Shutter Speed	n/a	n/a	n/a
Max E-Shutter FPS (Full Resolution)	n/a	n/a	n/a
Max E-Shutter (Low Res)	n/a	n/a	n/a
Silent Shooting	n/a	n/a	n/a
Metering
Range	-4 EV – 17EV	-4 EV – 17EV	-4 EV – 17EV
Video Quality
8K	N/A	N/A	N/A
C4K	N/A	n/a	N/A
4K	30p, 25p, 24p	30p, 25p, 24p	30p, 25p, 24p
HD 1080p	120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p	120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p	120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
Max. Recording Time	Approx. 35 mins 4K, 125 mins 1080p	29 mins 59 seconds	29 mins 59 seconds
Format	MOV, MP4	MOV, MP4	MOV, MP4
Output over HDMI	Yes	Yes	MOV, MP4
Video Compression	H.264/MPEG-4	H.264/MPEG-4	H.264/MPEG-4
File Format
Raw	12/14 Bit Compressed	12/14 Bit Compressed	12/14 Bit Compressed
Storage
Card Slot 1	SD, SDHC, SDXC	SD, SDHC, SDXC	SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I)
Card Slot 2	n/a	n/a	N/a
Viewfinder
Type	None	EVF (OLED)	EVF (OLED)
Resolution	N/A	2360K Dot	2360K Dot
Refresh Rate	N/A
Magnification	N/A	1.02x	1.02X
Diopter	N/A	-3 to +3	-3 to +3
Display
Size	3.0 inch	3.0 inch	3.2 inch
Resolution	1040K Dots	1040K	1040k
Touch Sensitive	Yes	Yes	Yes
Articulation	Full	Full	Tilt
Connectivity
Video-Out	HDMI Type D	HDMI Type D	HDMI Type D
Audio In (mic)	3.5mm	3.5mm	3.5mm
Audio Out (Headphones)	No	No	No
Data	USB-C	USB-C	USB
Power Port	USB	USB	USB
Ethernet Port	No	No	No
WiFi	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.1	Bluetooth 4.2	Yes
Internal GPS	No	No	No
Power
Battery	EN-EL25	EN-EL26	EN-EL25
Battery Life	Approx: 350	Approx: 300	Approx: 300
Video Record Time		75 mins	75 mins
Weight & Dimensions
Width	128mm	134.5mm	126.5mm
Height	73.5mm	93.5mm	93.5
Depth	59.5mm	43.5mm	60mm
Weight	350g	390g	395g

Source: Nikon Asia

Nikon Z50 vs Z30

The Nikon Z30 is very much a Nikon Z50 without the viewfinder and flip screen. For these reasons, the Nikon Z50 is a better camera for general photography but a terrible option for vlogging since its tilting rear screen cannot be turned towards you.

The Nikon Z30 is cheaper and smaller than the Nikon Z50. But the Nikon Z50 has a viewfinder and a tilt screen – two things often favored by photographers. But otherwise, there’s very little between them.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Nikon Z30 and Zfc is relatively easy. If you don’t care about the viewfinder, the Nikon Z30 gives you everything the Nikon Zfc does in a smaller and more affordable package.

That being said, the Nikon Zfc isn’t ludicrously more expensive and is somewhat of a unique proposition. Even if the Zfc’s retro-body and manual control dials don’t blow wind into your sails, you get an excellent viewfinder.

Alternatively, you might consider the Nikon Z50 as a middle ground. And in some ways, it is. However, the Nikon Z50’s rear screen cannot be turned to face forward, making it a poor choice for selfies and vlogging.

I would choose the Nikon Zfc because I love shooting through viewfinders. It’s also a lovely camera, and I would enjoy being hands-on with its control dials.

Which do you prefer- share your thoughts in the comments below