The recently released Nikon DX 12-28mm looks pretty nice! I’d be tempted to go all Nikon if they’d release something with a video focus that’s a step above the Z30. I still have a pair of Canon EOS M6 Mark II cameras for mostly video that basically have the same feature set as the Z30, so little point upgrading sideways in my case.
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| The new wide angle APS-C Nikon Z DX lens. |
For people just starting to get into online video creation I do think the Z30 is a fine option. Especially with recent discounts taking the body price down to $607 on B&H (as of the creation of this article).
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| The Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens |
The lens I use the most with the M6ii is the Canon EF-M 11-22mm. Now that Nikon has something similar in focal length and features like close focus plus optical stabilization, they are on my radar as a future replacement to my EF-M equipment.
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| The Nikon Z30 |
What I’d like to see in an improved APS-C video focused camera from Nikon:
- EN-EL15 battery to match most of their full-frame bodies like the Z5 that I have.
- Dual SD card slots with support for mirrored video recording (aka. built-in backup of video files). I don’t know if any Nikon cameras support this but they need to start.
- h.265 encoding capable with the inclusion of efficiency focused encoding options. I record in 4k 8-bit 4:2:0 h.265 with my Atomos Ninja V (EDIT: this is a paid add-on encoder for the V but comes with the V+) most of the time and it’s more than good enough. Helps me better manage saving my video projects as they continue to expand in number, file size, and complexity.
- UVC webcam support. No drivers and no hassle for people that want to use the camera as a webcam. Obviously the camera would need to be able to run for long periods of time without overheating.
- Full sized HDMI port along with microphone and headphone ports.
- IBIS that works well in video mode. Maybe not if it increases the cost of the camera too much but many competing models have it now.
- Low rolling shutter performance. I don’t need a ton of pixels. Though being able to record in ~6k would be very nice because I’d use it to crop-in as needed and deliver video in 4k.
- Capable of running for long periods of time without overheating. It doesn’t have to follow something like Sony’s design choices with their Sony ZV-E1. If the purpose of the camera is video I think it needs to handle it as long as any user needs it to.
- I’m basically describing a Sony FX30, but I’d like this to be cheaper, lol.
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| Panasonic Lumix S5 II has an MSRP of $2000 which makes the FX30 a difficult buy. |
Panasonic has changed the landscape of high value video focused hybrid cameras with the release of their Lumix S5ii . It was their first L-mount camera to use PDAF in addition to the multitude of video related features. The value proposition of that camera compared to the Sony FX30 feels a lot higher considering the MSRP difference is only $200 more.
With APS-C I’m more so focused on price and size while getting advanced features. For this hypothetical Nikon camera I’d like to see it $1500 or below. Ideally at $1300 or even lower if they want to seriously make a grab for market share. They’ve started to do that with Z30 price reductions.
In addition to new lenses like the 12-28mm and the DX 24mm f/1.7, they’ve officially allowed Sigma to offer glass in Z mount in some form. Tamron also has an agreement with them in re-badged lenses and Tamron labeled glass. Viltrox, Meike, TTArtisan, and Yongnuo also have autofocus lenses available for the Z mount!
Having 3rd party lens options and accessories increases my confidence in the versatility and longevity of Z-mount.
I’m glad to see Nikon’s recent efforts even though they seem to be slower at releasing products compared to Canon.
I voice some of this in a video here: