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Home → Comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Sony a6500: What Should You Get?

By Jason Polak No Comments
Last Updated On August 1, 2023


Nikon Z30 vs Sony a6500 Specifications Comparison

Camera FeatureNikon Z30Sony a6500
AnnouncedJune 2022October 2016
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSCMOS
Image ProcessorEXPEED 6BIONZ X
Resolution20.9 MP24.2 MP
Pixel Dimensions5568×37126000×4000
Sensor Dimensions23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C)23.5 x 15.6 mm (APS-C)
Sensor Pixel Size4.2µ3.92µ
Low Pass FilterNoYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)NoYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 51,200ISO 25,600
Extended ISOsISO 100-204,800ISO 100-51,200
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftNoNo
Focus Stack BracketingNoNo
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/40001/4000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)11 FPS11 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)11 FPS3 FPS
Notes for High FPS Shooting12-bit raw at 11 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 9 FPS)None
Buffer Size (Raw)35 frames (11 FPS)107 frames (11 FPS)
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points209 425
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-4 EV-1 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2001/160
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits8 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)8 bits8 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate30 FPS30 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate120 FPS120 FPS
Additional Video Crop FactorNoExtra 1.23x crop in 4K 30p; extra 1.14x crop at 1080p 100 / 120 FPS
Chroma Subsampling4:2:04:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)
Video Recording Limit125 min30 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots1 1
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-I)SD (UHS-I)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.0 in
Rear LCD Resolution1.04 million dots0.92 million dots
Articulating LCDFully ArticulatingSingle Axis
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderNoneEVF
Viewfinder MagnificationN/A1.07x (0.70x FF equiv.)
Viewfinder ResolutionN/A2.36 million dots
Viewfinder CoverageN/A100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackNoNo
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoYes
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 3.2 Gen 1Type B 2.0
Battery TypeEN-EL25NP-FW50
Battery Life (Viewfinder)N/A310 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)330 frames350 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)405 g (0.89 lbs.)453 g (1.00 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)128 x 74 x 60 mm (5.0 x 2.9 x 2.4″)120 x 67 x 53 mm (4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1″)1
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$710 (Check Current Price)$1400 (Discontinued)
Used PricesNikon Z30 Used PricesSony a6500 Used Prices
1The Sony a6500’s depth measurment in this table excludes the optional rubber cap for the viewfinder


Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!

Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Tagged With: Nikon Z30, Sony A6500

About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

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