Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1
79 Imaging
70 Features
84 Overall
75


61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 21MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
- Released June 2022
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched January 2021

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Overview
Following is a extended review of the Nikon Z30 versus Sony a1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and a1 (50MP) and the Z30 (APS-C) and a1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The Z30 was revealed 18 months after the a1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before diving through a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Z30 matches up versus the a1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon Z30 & Sony Alpha a1. The full galleries are provided at Nikon Z30 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Sony a1
Z30 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2022 | ![]() | January 2021 | More modern by 18 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Nikon Z30
a1 | Z30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 1040k | Crisper display (+400k dot) |
Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Sony a1
Z30 | a1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display dimension | 3.00" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z30 enjoys physical dimensions of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
See the Nikon Z30 versus Sony a1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the Z30 compared to the a1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and a1 is 79 and 61 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z30 and a1.
To sum up, the 2 cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z30 with its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony a1 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 29 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent Z30 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a1 Specifications
Nikon Z30 | Sony Alpha a1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Z30 | Sony Alpha a1 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Released | 2022-06-29 | 2021-01-26 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 21MP | 50MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5568 x 3712 | 8640 x 5760 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 32000 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 204800 | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 209 | 759 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
Available lenses | 35 | 133 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3.00 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,040 thousand dot | 1,440 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 9,437 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.9x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Max silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.0fps | 30.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | - | 1/400 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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 | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 7680x4320 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | Yes |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 405g (0.89 lb) | 737g (1.62 lb) |
Dimensions | 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 shots | 530 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL25 | NP-FZ100 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | - | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
Storage slots | Single | Two |
Price at release | $650 | $6,498 |