Used for 6 months, sold it

[Flappas Travels]

After 6 months of usage, I decided it wasn't for me.

It is a great video camera, although it has no video stab so need to do it in post...,

Having no viewfinder is really annoying for still photography, hard to do street photography with it.

The only good use IMO is for landscape photography with a tripod, as you would be using the screen the majority of the time, and its a lightweight/portable camera.

 

[Bob A L]

I have always said I would never buy a camera without a viewfinder. Now I am eating my words after buying a Z30 and finding all manner of neat things I can do without a viewfinder, and a bunch of things that I would have never dreamed a camera without a viewfinder would be really great for. I would not want it to be my only camera, but I don't have a camera that I would want to be my only camera. And that includes a fair amount of cameras. The Z30 is a really neat little camera that can use all my big camera lenses.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

After 6 months of usage, I decided it wasn't for me.
It is a great video camera, although it has no video stab so need to do it in post...,
Having no viewfinder is really annoying for still photography, hard to do street photography with it.
The only good use IMO is for landscape photography with a tripod, as you would be using the screen the majority of the time, and its a lightweight/portable camera.

This is my thought too, although I never bought one, and always held off even though it's "cheap" compared to the other Z APSC bodies. But the lack of adding an EVF always sort of deterred me (and I know it's not critical, but there are times when it is helpful, like shooting and reviewing images in bright sunlight) so for me, that's kind of a deal breaker in some respects. The performance I think is fine as it's close to the Zfc (although not as good as the FF bodies like the Z6 II or III). But it was never a camera I could get myself to buy.... I guess I've been very picky about my purchases the past year... partially because buying/selling gear gets expensive, and is a pain in some cases.

--
PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.

 

[rangel28]

After 6 months of usage, I decided it wasn't for me.
It is a great video camera, although it has no video stab so need to do it in post...,
Having no viewfinder is really annoying for still photography, hard to do street photography with it.
The only good use IMO is for landscape photography with a tripod, as you would be using the screen the majority of the time, and its a lightweight/portable camera.

I have found that the Z30 is great for street photography. Because it's so small and inconspicious, and it lacks a EVF, you have to hold it like a cell phone, so people are not intimidated by it.

Also, the flippy screen works great (for me) when you hold the camera lower down by your hip or waist.

 

[Bob A L]

It took the $439 price from Nikon refurb to get me to punch the buy now, and my comments prior to this mirror yours. But I am now finding out I was wrong. Many things are not the problem I thought they would be, and I never dreamed of the little plusses that I am finding. Not the least of are realizing that there are all manner of things to brace a camera on once you don't have the little viewfinder to look through and that I have found myself making shots from angles that I realize there would be no way to look through a viewfinder an take the same shot. My neck and head just does not move in those directions and my body doesn't bend that way. It's really kinda neat. I also notice in group situations that people kinda ignore me with this little box that isn't glued to my face. And I do of course know that I could use the lcd on the back of my Zfc, but it is not nearly as easy to hold and use in the manner that I need to utilize the lcd. I don't think I would be happy with only owning a camera without a viewfinder, but now have no problem with owning an additional camera without a viewfinder, so it just adds another type of wrench in my toolbox.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

It took the $439 price from Nikon refurb to get me to punch the buy now, and my comments prior to this mirror yours. But I am now finding out I was wrong. Many things are not the problem I thought they would be, and I never dreamed of the little plusses that I am finding. Not the least of are realizing that there are all manner of things to brace a camera on once you don't have the little viewfinder to look through and that I have found myself making shots from angles that I realize there would be no way to look through a viewfinder an take the same shot. My neck and head just does not move in those directions and my body doesn't bend that way. It's really kinda neat. I also notice in group situations that people kinda ignore me with this little box that isn't glued to my face. And I do of course know that I could use the lcd on the back of my Zfc, but it is not nearly as easy to hold and use in the manner that I need to utilize the lcd. I don't think I would be happy with only owning a camera without a viewfinder, but now have no problem with owning an additional camera without a viewfinder, so it just adds another type of wrench in my toolbox.

I could see buying one used, but I'd probably not pay more than about $400 for it. I mean I see the benefits of a smaller camera over my FF bodies (both of which can be bulky with the right lenses, or in the case of the Z8, just bulky as it is regardless of lenses).

IDK Part of me was holding out for an APSC rangefinder style camera from Nikon with an EVF, as I know when I buy a Z30 something will come out and I'd probably regret getting it, so I've held off personally.

 

[Rene Gr]

It is meant to be used with a VR lens. Then there is good video stabilization.

 

[Flappas Travels]

I used the 16-50mm for all video. Still shaky and required video stab in post, especially when walking.. maybe my hands are just super shaky :-D

 

[AlainCh2]

I used the 16-50mm for all video. Still shaky and required video stab in post, especially when walking.. maybe my hands are just super shaky :-D

I've never used a camera to shoot video, well... long video I mean.

15 seconds, still video or slowly moving.

Z30 was fine for that few tests.

( not only my hands shake, but also my arms. The brain is the VR. Same for my gun shot )