Nikon
Z30
Compact APS-C Z mount for vloggers and beginners.
$709
Launch priceReleased Jun 2022
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 4.3 years newer.
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Wins
Z30
Wins
Z5 IIC
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AZ30 has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher 4K max frame rate (59.94 fps vs 29.97 fps)
- AZ30 has lower Weight (405 g vs 620 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Z30
128 × 74 × 60 mm
405 g (0.89 lb / 14.29 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
Z30 is 6mm narrower, 7mm shorter, and 13mm thinner than Z5 IIC.
Z30 is 215 g lighter than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Z30 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z30
128 × 74 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z30
128 × 60 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z30
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z30
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Z30
Burst (mechanical)
11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128, 73.5, 59.5
Weight
405 g vs 620 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4.5 EV — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Z5 IIC supports it
4K max frame rate
59.94 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z5 IIC supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Card slots — Both 1
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Z30
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Vlog features
- ✓Compact
Cons
- –No EVF
- –No IBIS
- –Single slot
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Z30 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Z30 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for Z30 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Z30 and Z5 IIC?
Z30 is 20.8 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z30 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
Z30 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z30 or the Z5 IIC?
Z30 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z30 and Z5 IIC?
Z30 weighs 405 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z30 is 215 g lighter.
Do the Z30 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
Z30: 4K up to 29.97p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the Z30 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
Z30: No. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 330 shots (CIPA) for the Z30 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the Z5 IIC the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z30 launched at $709 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z30 is $690 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Z30 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.