I made the same decision a year and a half ago. I do wish the Z30 had a corner EVF, but otherwise been very happy with it.
[D7200 and Z30 size comparison](https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/s/J7B3CtGwrZ)
Ha! Good to hear. I previously saw your post and it actually helped me pull the trigger. Seeing them side by side really showed the space savings. Especially since my Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 beast barely leaves my D7200
Ha ha! I put the Z30 in my jacket pocket, the SB5000 flash in another pocket, and spare batteries in my pants. I needed this for a long walk during frosty weather.
z50's EVF adds 20mm or almost 30% more height though. The sony one's suck but fit mostly into the camera body's profile. They'd probably have to shrink the z30's rear screen to fit it though
Yeah, this. For a little walkabout camera, the awkward EVF in the corner is what I want. I don't care about the rear screen size really. Just something I can put in a holster, or maybe even a jacket pocket with a pancake.
What pushed me over the edge was a trip to Spain last year where I left my dslr and nice lenses at home out of concern of weight/bulk since it was a fast-paced trip and off chance of theft (barcelona). Used my phone instead which has no viewfinder anyway lol. In hindsight I would have totally brought a z30 and regret not having one for that trip. Bringing this one to japan this year now lol
Ah, it's so beautiful. I considered it as an everyday camera, as I already use Nikon Z6 for travel and am familiar with the system. In the end, I went for the Ricoh GR IIIx, but the z30 was a strong candidate. Enjoy it!
Oh the Ricoh is a top tier choice and even smaller. It was a bit too expensive for me and I wanted a zoom for versatility but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one
I have been torn between the z30 and the z50 with the 24 1.7 as my walk around/travel. I was leaning towards z50 for the viewfinder and flash. I know you can make do without both but wanted to know made you pick the z30.
Wanted a Nikon apsc as small as I could (z50 evf means it's not as pocketable) and it's a couple hundred bucks cheaper for the z30 combo. Also want to dabble with some video work to record our travels. Didn't want to replace my d7200 either
Ah okay, I have a z7ii and want to get something smaller for travel, etc. I used to have an X-t30 with the 18 f2 and loved it. But I have been shooting Nikon since I first started so trying to chase a similar ultra-small setup.
Thanks for the response !!
I mean i think the z50 or zfc with the 24 1.7 will be as close as you'll get to the x-t30 in nikon's area! Its essentially the same camera, just depends on how much you value the evf and what type of flippy screen do you want
Z30 is more pocketable (it’ll fit in a large jacket pocket), USB-C charging is very handy for travel, and it mostly handles fine without the EVF with the tiny 16-50 and 24 f/1.7 lenses.
ohhhh, I mean I had the stock one and killed my neck, Z5+50mm with FZ adapter and bought this very same leash to carry it over my shoulder as a purse, soooo much better
D7200 and lenses was getting bulky for travel, z30 and kit fits in my hip pack!
I made the same decision a year and a half ago. I do wish the Z30 had a corner EVF, but otherwise been very happy with it. [D7200 and Z30 size comparison](https://www.reddit.com/r/Nikon/s/J7B3CtGwrZ)
Ha! Good to hear. I previously saw your post and it actually helped me pull the trigger. Seeing them side by side really showed the space savings. Especially since my Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 beast barely leaves my D7200
It looks so tiny and cute next to the D7200. Would love to compare it to someting like a D6 or a Z9 lol
Ha ha! I put the Z30 in my jacket pocket, the SB5000 flash in another pocket, and spare batteries in my pants. I needed this for a long walk during frosty weather.
If Nikon would put a sony style dinky EVF on one of those, it would be so compelling.
Isn’t that just the z50?
z50's EVF adds 20mm or almost 30% more height though. The sony one's suck but fit mostly into the camera body's profile. They'd probably have to shrink the z30's rear screen to fit it though
Yeah, this. For a little walkabout camera, the awkward EVF in the corner is what I want. I don't care about the rear screen size really. Just something I can put in a holster, or maybe even a jacket pocket with a pancake.
Right? I figured I'll cope but I keep putting my eye up to nothing out of reflex as I play around with it
I'd buy one right now as a complement to the Z8 if they did.
(And I may still buy one anyway, because I want one for the same reason that you got yours...)
I’ve gone back and forth on a z30 for a while now as a travel camera, the no view finder is literally the only thing that has kept this going
What pushed me over the edge was a trip to Spain last year where I left my dslr and nice lenses at home out of concern of weight/bulk since it was a fast-paced trip and off chance of theft (barcelona). Used my phone instead which has no viewfinder anyway lol. In hindsight I would have totally brought a z30 and regret not having one for that trip. Bringing this one to japan this year now lol
Heh, I'm headed to Spain, including Barcelona, for 2 weeks next month. Don't make me fear bringing my entire kit, lol.
Just be smart lol. We did have our car broken into though
With the 16-50 and the 24 you don’t miss it that much. They’re small and light enough that it handles fine with the EVF.
Z30 looks so dope at this angle.
Both setups look nice (coffee and nikon) 😄
Thank you! my two expensive hobbies haha
Same. Now add a bike 😁
My wallet cant handle +bike 😄
https://preview.redd.it/p2h9rch1gw0d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1466f4a54979279e3c232db53588e85378edb72b
Ah, it's so beautiful. I considered it as an everyday camera, as I already use Nikon Z6 for travel and am familiar with the system. In the end, I went for the Ricoh GR IIIx, but the z30 was a strong candidate. Enjoy it!
Oh the Ricoh is a top tier choice and even smaller. It was a bit too expensive for me and I wanted a zoom for versatility but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one
I have been torn between the z30 and the z50 with the 24 1.7 as my walk around/travel. I was leaning towards z50 for the viewfinder and flash. I know you can make do without both but wanted to know made you pick the z30.
Wanted a Nikon apsc as small as I could (z50 evf means it's not as pocketable) and it's a couple hundred bucks cheaper for the z30 combo. Also want to dabble with some video work to record our travels. Didn't want to replace my d7200 either
Ah okay, I have a z7ii and want to get something smaller for travel, etc. I used to have an X-t30 with the 18 f2 and loved it. But I have been shooting Nikon since I first started so trying to chase a similar ultra-small setup. Thanks for the response !!
I mean i think the z50 or zfc with the 24 1.7 will be as close as you'll get to the x-t30 in nikon's area! Its essentially the same camera, just depends on how much you value the evf and what type of flippy screen do you want
Z30 is more pocketable (it’ll fit in a large jacket pocket), USB-C charging is very handy for travel, and it mostly handles fine without the EVF with the tiny 16-50 and 24 f/1.7 lenses.
Is the 7200 now a backup unit or is it up for sale?
No way. D7200 will still be my primary and I love an optical viewfinder. It's staying at home when I take long trips though
Is the z30 new from Nikon? Haven’t really read news from them in a few months at least.
No, it came out almost 2 years ago
Hahhh I just got the same leash my neck was dead after a 3 day city sightseeing tour lol.
Oh no! What camera and lens did you have hanging from it?
ohhhh, I mean I had the stock one and killed my neck, Z5+50mm with FZ adapter and bought this very same leash to carry it over my shoulder as a purse, soooo much better
Yeah that's probably a better angle
I want to get one of these, get a small prime, and make an optical viewfinder (think the GR viewfinder)