Nikon
Zf
Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.
$2,049
Released Sep 2023
Zf is 1.3 years newer.
Wins
Z30
Wins
Zf
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZf has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZf has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZf has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZf has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AZ30 has lower Weight (350 g vs 630 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z30
128 × 74 × 60 mm
350 g (0.77 lb / 12.35 oz)
Zf
144 × 103 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
Z30 is 16mm narrower and 30mm shorter than Zf but it is also 11mm thicker.
Z30 is 280 g lighter than Zf.
Depth (front-to-back): 60mm Z30 · 49mm Zf
Sensor size, to scale
Z30
23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C
369 mm² area
Zf
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
Zf
✓ 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
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 128, 73.5, 59.5
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Weight
350 g vs 630 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Zf
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4.5 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 103, 49
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, MicroSD UHS-I
Subject recognition
Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Zf 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
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
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
Zf
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓273-point hybrid AF
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulated touchscreen
Cons
- –No grip extension standard
- –Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
- –24.5MP only
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Z30 or Zf?
Zf scores 7.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z30 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the Z30 and Zf?
Z30 is 20.9 MP and Zf is 24.5 MP, so the Zf captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z30 and Zf have in-body image stabilization?
Z30 does not have IBIS, while zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z30 or the Zf?
Z30 reaches 11 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z30 and Zf?
Z30 weighs 350 g and Zf weighs 630 g, so the Z30 is 280 g lighter.
Do the Z30 and Zf record 4K video?
Z30: 4K up to 30p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z30 and Zf weather sealed?
Z30: No. Zf: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 330 shots (CIPA) for the Z30 and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the Zf the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z30 launched at $709 and Zf at $2,049. The Z30 is $1,340 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.