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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Introduced June 2022
Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 III
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Overview

Here is a extended review of the Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the Z30 (21MP) and the E-M1 II (20MP) is relatively close but the Z30 (APS-C) and E-M1 II (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor size.

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The Z30 was brought out 5 years later than the E-M1 II and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the Z30 scores versus the E-M1 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 Z30 E-M1 II 
RevealedJune 2022September 2016Fresher by 71 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kSharper screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Nikon Z30

 E-M1 II Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-M1 II

 Z30 E-M1 II 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3.00"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z30 enjoys external measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M1 II has dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs).

See the Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the Z30 versus the E-M1 II.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and E-M1 II is 79 and 68 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and E-M1 II.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z30 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z30 will result in more detail having its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher Z30 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography info
82
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
75
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
75
screen articulates
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (405 grams)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
environment sealing
lighter than others (574 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 Sports photography information
Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
76
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z30
Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
78
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
decent megapixels (21 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (405g)
72
lighter than others (574 grams)
environment sealing
features focus via touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (350 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z30 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.00 inches)
decent megapixels (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging features
Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
74
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone support
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (405 grams)
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
lighter than others (574g)
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-M1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-M1 II
 Nikon Z30Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z30 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2022-06-29 2016-09-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 209 121
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 35 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.00 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 60.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.10 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MOV, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405g (0.89 lb) 574g (1.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.8
DXO Low light score not tested 1312
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 350 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 BLH-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail price $650 $1,700