Nikon Z30 vs Sony a6700 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 20.9 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Nikon Z30
72
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 26 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Sony a6700
77
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z30 and the Sony a6700 are both mirrorless cameras with APS-C CMOS sensors, so sensor format does not divide this choice. The lens mounts do: the Z30 takes Nikon Z lenses and the a6700 takes Sony E lenses, which matters if you already own glass for one brand. The Z30 is the lighter and shallower body at 405 g and 60 mm deep, against 493 g and 64 mm for the a6700, which is slightly narrower and shorter. The Z30 arrived in 2022 and the a6700 in 2023. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2022 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 29, 2022 | July 12, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 128 x 74 x 60 mm | 122 x 69 x 64 mm |
| Camera weight | 405 g | 493 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a6700 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping. Its 26 MP sensor offers 5.1 megapixels more than the Z30's 20.9 MP, leaving extra room to tighten a distant subject after the shot. The a6700 also steadies handheld work with in-body stabilisation, which the Z30 omits. It adds an electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dots, while the Z30 has no viewfinder and frames every shot on the rear screen. Autofocus coverage is far wider too, 759 points against 209, for tracking a moving subject. Both shoot at up to 11 fps. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.9 MP050 | 26 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5568 x 3712 | 6192 x 4128 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.5 x 15.7 | 23 x 15.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
11 fps045 | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Expeed 6 | Bionz XR |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 320003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | — |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
2090300 | 7590300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor editing flexibility, the a6700 offers the wider set of recording options, including H.265, XAVC S-I and H.264, while the Z30 records MPEG-4 and MOV. Both cameras also offer built-in timelapse for interval work. The headline video limits are shared: each camera tops out at 4K resolution and 120 fps, though those are separate maximums rather than one stated combined mode. Either body can slow fast action at up to 120 fps. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3841 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265 |
| Features | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesRear screens serve the same framing jobs on both cameras: each has a 3-inch touchscreen that flips out for vlogging, self-portraits and high or low angles, plus live view. The dot counts differ by just 3200. Connectivity and protection line up as well: both offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, weather sealing, and support for an external flash rather than a built-in one. Neither body has GPS, so geotagging travel photos needs a workaround on either camera. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10368001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long days away from power, the a6700 has the larger reserve, rated for 570 shots against 330 for the Z30 under their respective test conditions. Their batteries differ, NP-FZ100 and EN-EL25, so spares do not carry across brands. Card speed favours the Sony too: it supports UHS-II SD cards, which handle big video files faster, while the Z30 is UHS-I. Both bodies have a single card slot and support USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS II Compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | EN-EL25 | NP-FZ100 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 570 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a6700 for wildlife, events or handheld shooting in dim light. Its electronic viewfinder, in-body stabilisation, 26 MP sensor and 759 autofocus points make it the better tool for those jobs, and its 570-shot rating suits full days out.
The Nikon Z30 suits travel and vlogging with its lighter body and flip-out touchscreen for screen-led shooting. It keeps 4K video with a 120 fps ceiling for slow motion, so framing on the rear screen with a tripod saves weight without losing those basics.