Before making a purchase, I like to ask myself, “Do I need it, and do I love it?” This is especially important when it comes to expensive cameras on motorcycle adventures.

As theEOS R10 article mentioned, my last camera took its last shot on a transcontinental adventure, and I had to send it home. I’ve been experimenting with my iPhone camera for both stills and video, on and off the bike. Ninety percent of my good photos are posted to social media or put into a slide presentation. Unfortunately, except for a few shots in perfect lighting, the photos aren’t high-quality enough to use in print. I’ve been able to save a few with Photoshop, but it’s clear that I need a better camera.

Why do you need a camera? Do you consider yourself a content creator? Is your phone giving sub-optimal results? If so, look at the Nikon Z 30, advertised by Nikon as “creator ready” and starting at under $1,000.

Let’s look at the Nikon Z 30’s suitability for motorcycle travel.

Price

The Nikon Z 30 isn’t a pro camera like the pricey Nikon D6, or the Sony Alpha 1, both coming in over $8,000. It sits at the enthusiast’s entry-level price of under $1,000—the Z 30 works with every NIKKOR Z lens, from close-up macro lenses to fast primes. The Z 30 body with a two-lens kit costs about $1,200.

Sensor

It has good detail in low light with 20.9 million effective pixels. But the sensor size is still smaller than the full-frame professional cameras, so you are squeezing a lot of pixels onto a DX sensor, which can create noise. You can increase the ISO from 100–51,200 to capture scenes in low light; remember that they will be grainy but certainly better than any phone I’ve seen.

大小

如果你花长时间在马鞍,在自行车charging is essential. The camera shouldn’t be heavy if you are vlogging or shooting handheld. The Z 30 weighs under a pound (350 grams), has in-camera USB C charging, and is small enough to fit in the tank bag and your hand without cramping the controls. The smaller sensor means smaller, less expensive lenses too.

Lenses

The Z 30 works with every NIKKOR Z lens, from close-up macro lenses to fast primes. The kit lenses are a 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR wide-angle and 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR telephoto lens. Both are Nikkor DX Zoom lenses.

Durability

The LCD closes inward to avoid fingerprints, smudges, or scratches, but the camera has no special weather or dust protection. A few years ago, I bought the Nikon A1 AW1 waterproof mirrorless camera because I figured I needed something weatherproof. In the first week, the lens fogged up, and the expensive camera was stolen in Mexico within the first few months. Since then, I’ve realized that a good waterproof cover for $20 from Amazon is all that I need.

Battery Life

The EN-EL25 rechargeable Li-ion battery that comes with the camera can last about 330 shots or about 75 minutes of movie recording. Need constant power? Just plug in the camera. You can use a cable to keep shooting all day when you’re near a power source.

Video

The Z 30 doesn’t have IBIS (in-body image stabilization), so handheld, low shutter speed shots aren’t easy, and you can’t keep the ISO nice and low when in low-light situations. The built-in optical and electronic stabilization reduce shake, but according to the reviews—walk, don’t run.

It also doesn’t have an EVF (electronic viewfinder). An EVF is the best way to judge exposure, focus, and composition. My eyes are not as good as they once were, and I’m uncomfortable using the small-sized LCD screen on many cameras. However, if you are a content creator, your shooting style may not require an EVF.

Stand out among a competitive field of streamers with Full HD 60p and 4K 30p video quality. It also works with compatible web conferencing applications if it is plugged into your computer. You can record for over two hours if your battery and storage hold up.

Did you know that most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras made before 2019 have a 30-minute recording limit?According to DPReview.com, an old EU rule stated that if cameras could record for longer than 30 minutes, they had to be classified as a ‘video camera recorder’ and be taxed at a higher rate.

I watched several reviews that demonstrated the camera’s effective autofocus that tracks eyes and faces, ‘bokeh’ effects for beautifully blurred backgrounds, and a convenient streaming feature that automatically repositions the focus when you hold something up to the camera. Imagine you are vlogging and holding up a tool or part to the camera. The Z 30 will focus on the new object and quickly refocus on you when you put it down. That is a valuable feature.

再保险d REC Light

When I’m using my smartphone or mirrorless, it’s difficult to tell if it’s recording. Have you ever thought you were recording your monologue and realized later you hit the wrong button? The Z 30 has a bright red LED rec light and a big record button, so you always know when you’re recording.

One reviewer makes a simultaneous comparison between an external hidden lavaliere mic and the built-in stereo mic on the Z 30. It picked up helicopter, wind, and bird sounds that distracted from the voice, but there are settings to reduce ambient noise. The audio was crystal clear otherwise, especially with the wind protection of a wind muff.

The video quality is excellent, with 4K UHD and slow motion.

再保险mote

There is a free camera control app where you see what the camera sees, start and stop recording and take photos. If you have used your phone as a remote, you may have noticed that finding the app, connecting, and having it active when needed is cumbersome. The optional Bluetooth remote is small and attaches to the tripod grip offered in the optional Z 30 Creator’s Accessory Kit, along with an external microphone. The remote lets you start and stop recording, take photos, control playback and access menus from a distance.

Summary

Is the Nikon Z 30 adventure-ready?

This camera is purpose-built if you want to step up from a smartphone for vlogging and content creation. Nikon omits weather protection, though. That feature is currently restricted to its full-frame line, so you may want to invest a few dollars in a decent cover for it if you shoot outside. Or, invest in the Nikon Z6 II and get exceptional weather protection—you can shoot outdoors in the snow with that camera.

While writing this review, I dug out my broken Olympus OMD E-M5II from my gear stash and sent it to a camera repair shop. The sticking shutter is a common problem and will cost about $100 plus labor to repair. That beats the $1,000+ price tag on a new camera and gives me that better quality I need for prints. I’ll always have my phone on me too. Sometimes the best deal is the phone you already have in your desk drawer, or your back pocket, and if you need something with excellent capability for low-light or high-speed action shots, you might be best lumping along with your current kit and saving up for something further up Nikon’s lineup (or some other manufacturer’s). However, if you’re OK working around the Nikon’s limitations, buying something that’s “creator-ready” may make your life easier.