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Sony a1 IIvsNikon Z 30: Head-to-Head Comparison
The Sony a1 II and the Nikon Z 30 are interchangeable lens cameras utilizing different lens mounts and sensor sizes. The primary choice comes down to professional high-resolution output and advanced video versus a lightweight, compact body.
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- MOST WINS
SonyBest for Professional photographers and filmmakers demanding top-tier resolution and speed
13of 19 specs better - Nikon
Best for Travelers and vloggers looking for a compact, lightweight setup
6of 19 specs better
Biggest differences
Effective pixels
Sony a1 II leads
2.4×
higher is better
- Sony a1 II50.1 MP
- Nikon Z 3020.9 MP
Memory card slots
Sony a1 II leads
2×
higher is better
- Sony a1 II2 slots
- Nikon Z 301 slots
4K max frame rate
Sony a1 II leads
4×
higher is better
- Sony a1 II119.88 fps
- Nikon Z 3030 fps
Weight
Nikon Z 30 leads
−45%
lower is better
- Sony a1 II743 g
- Nikon Z 30405 g
Where each one wins
Sony a1 II
- Effective pixels
- Sensor format
- Max mechanical shutter speed
- Max video resolution
- 4K max frame rate
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Viewfinder resolution
- Screen size
- Screen articulation
- Rear screen resolution
- Battery life
- Memory card slots
- HDMI port type
Nikon Z 30
- Native ISO maximum
- Continuous shooting (mechanical)
- Weight
- Width
- Height
- Depth
What both have
- USB charging & power delivery✓
- Minimum operating temperature0 °C
Every spec
Red marks the better value in each row.
| Spec | Sony a1 II | Nikon Z 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Release date | 2024-121 | Not published |
| Launch price | 6,499.99 USD | Not published |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| High resolution pixel-shift mode | Yes2 | Not published |
| Sensor & Image | ||
| Effective pixels | 50.1 MP | 20.9 MP |
| Sensor format | Full-frame | APS-C3 |
| Native ISO maximum | 32,000 ISO | 51,200 ISO4 |
| In-body image stabilization | 8.5 stops5 | Not published |
| Sensor readout speed | Not published | Not published |
| Sensor type | — | CMOS |
| Aspect ratios | 3:2 | 3:2, 1:1, 16:96 |
| Lens & Autofocus | ||
| Continuous shooting (mechanical) | 10 fps | 11 fps7 |
| Continuous shooting (electronic) | 30 fps | Not published |
| Max mechanical shutter speed | 8,000 1/s | 4,000 1/s |
| Pre-burst capture duration | 1 s8 | Not published |
| AF subject detection | Human, animal, bird, insect, car, train, airplane | — |
| Video | ||
| Max video resolution | 8K | 4K |
| 4K max frame rate | 119.88 fps9 | 30 fps |
| Video codecs | H.264, HEVC | H.264 |
| 4K max frame rate (full width) | 59.94 fps10 | 30 fps |
| Raw video recording | External11 | Not published |
| Video bit depth | 10 bit | Not published |
| Log profile support | Yes | Not published |
| Video dynamic range (log) | Not published | Not published |
| Viewfinder & Screen | ||
| Viewfinder resolution | 9.44 M dots | 0 M dots12 |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.9 x | Not published |
| Screen size | 3.2 in | 3 in |
| Screen articulation | Multi-angle | Fully articulated |
| Rear screen resolution | 2.1 M dots | 1.04 M dots |
| Handling & Power | ||
| Battery life | 520 shots13 | 330 shots14 |
| Memory card slots | 2 slots | 1 slots |
| Weather sealing | Dust and drip resistant15 | Not published |
| Weight | 743 g | 405 g |
| Width | 136.1 mm | 128 mm |
| Height | 96.9 mm | 73.5 mm |
| Depth | 82.9 mm16 | 59.5 mm |
| USB charging & power delivery | Yes | Yes17 |
| Minimum operating temperature | 0 °C | 0 °C |
| Headphone port | Yes | Not published |
| HDMI port type | Full-size | Mini |
Notes on 17 values — test conditions and caveats
- 1Sony a1 II, Release date: Announced 19 November 2024; first retail availability was December 2024.
- 2Sony a1 II, High resolution pixel-shift mode: 4- or 16-shot pixel shift composites are merged with Sony's Imaging Edge Desktop PC software.
- 3Nikon Z 30, Sensor format: DX format is Nikon's name for its APS-C-size sensor (23.5 x 15.7 mm).
- 4Nikon Z 30, Native ISO maximum: Settings above ISO 51200 (102400, 204800) are expanded, not native.
- 5Sony a1 II, In-body image stabilization: 8.5 stops is the CIPA centre rating; 7.0 stops at the periphery.
- 6Nikon Z 30, Aspect ratios: Native DX ratio is 3:2; 1:1 and 16:9 are in-camera crop modes.
- 7Nikon Z 30, Continuous shooting (mechanical): Nikon's in-house measured maximum; the rate is approximate.
- 8Sony a1 II, Pre-burst capture duration: Pre-capture buffers between 0.03 s and 1 s of frames before full shutter press.
- 9Sony a1 II, 4K max frame rate: 4K 100p/120p recording uses a 1.1x crop.
- 10Sony a1 II, 4K max frame rate (full width): Full-width 4K tops out at 59.94p; 4K 100/120p requires a 1.1x crop.
- 11Sony a1 II, Raw video recording: 16-bit RAW video can only be output over HDMI to an external recorder; no internal RAW recording.
- 12Nikon Z 30, Viewfinder resolution: The Z 30 has no electronic viewfinder; compose on the rear LCD.
- 13Sony a1 II, Battery life: CIPA rating is 520 shots per charge on the rear LCD; 420 shots with the viewfinder.
- 14Nikon Z 30, Battery life: Figure is for the EN-EL25 battery; shot count differs with EN-EL25a.
- 15Sony a1 II, Weather sealing: Sony specifies dust- and moisture-resistant sealing; no formal IP rating is published.
- 16Sony a1 II, Depth: Sony also lists 72.8 mm depth measured from grip to monitor, excluding the grip protrusion.
- 17Nikon Z 30, USB charging & power delivery: In-camera USB charging/power needs Nikon's optional EH-7P or EH-8P adapter.
Image Quality and Resolution
The Sony a1 II delivers massive 50.1 MP images from a full-frame sensor, providing immense detail for large prints and heavy cropping. It also features a high-resolution pixel-shift mode for composites merged via desktop software.
In contrast, the Nikon Z 30 relies on a 20.9 MP APS-C sensor. While it has fewer pixels, its native ISO maximum reaches 51,200 for low-light situations.
Speed and Autofocus
Action shooters benefit heavily from the Sony, which shoots at 30 fps electronically and recognizes subjects ranging from humans and animals to insects, trains, and airplanes. It includes a 1-second pre-burst capture duration to catch moments before the shutter press.
The Nikon counters with an 11 fps mechanical burst rate, making it suitable for casual action despite lacking dedicated subject detection modes.
Video Capabilities
For filmmakers, the Sony a1 II dominates with 8K resolution, 10-bit color, log profile support, and 4K recording up to 119.88 fps. It outputs 16-bit RAW video externally over HDMI.
The Nikon Z 30 is much simpler, capping out at 4K resolution at 30 fps using the H.264 codec, lacking log profiles and internal raw options.
Handling and Portability
The Nikon Z 30 wins on sheer portability, weighing just 405 g and measuring significantly smaller in every dimension than its rival. It omits an electronic viewfinder entirely, relying solely on a fully articulated rear screen.
The Sony a1 II weighs 743 g and includes two memory card slots, a weather-sealed body, a high-resolution 9.44 M dot viewfinder, and a 3.2-inch multi-angle screen.
The Verdict
Buy the Sony a1 II if you need uncompromising professional performance, high-resolution full-frame captures, and advanced 8K video capabilities. Buy the Nikon Z 30 if you want an ultra-lightweight, portable camera for everyday content creation.
Where to buy
Sony a1 II
Best for Professional photographers and filmmakers demanding top-tier resolution and speed
Nikon Z 30
Best for Travelers and vloggers looking for a compact, lightweight setup
FAQ
Does the Nikon Z 30 have a viewfinder?
No, the Nikon Z 30 has no electronic viewfinder, so you compose your shots entirely on the rear LCD screen.
Can the Sony a1 II record video in raw format?
Yes, but only via an external recorder connected through HDMI, as there is no internal RAW video recording.
What kind of memory card slots do these cameras have?
The Sony a1 II features two memory card slots, whereas the Nikon Z 30 provides only a single slot.
Spotted something wrong? Tap the next to any section or spec group to let us know. Every report is read.
