Sony a55 vs Nikon Z30

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a55 and Nikon Z30. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a55 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon Z30 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a55 were released 2010 and Nikon Z30 was released 2022. That is a 12 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a55 2010
Nikon Z30 2022

Type of camera

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a55 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor while Nikon Z30 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a55 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Nikon Z30 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a55 has a 16 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z30 has 21 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a55 16 MP
16032768 pixels
4912 x 3264
Nikon Z30 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712

Nikon Z30 has a 29 % larger resolution than Sony a55. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon Z30 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a55. Nikon Z30 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 51200 while Sony a55 has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a55 100-12800
Nikon Z30 100-51200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a55
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z30

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a55 can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z30 can shoot up to 11 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a55 10
Nikon Z30 11

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Sony a55 and Nikon Z30 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a55 weighs 500 gr (equal to 1.1 lb) which is 23% heavier than Nikon Z30 and its 405 gr (or 0.89 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a55 500 gr
1.1 lb
Nikon Z30 405 gr
0.89 lb

Sony a55 vs Nikon Z30 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a55 and Nikon Z30, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Name Sony a55 Nikon Z30
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Release Year 2010 2022
Release Date 2010-08-24 2022-06-29
MSRP 749 USD 710 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Camera Type SLT Mirrorless
Sensor
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 4912 x 3264 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
Megapixels 16 MP 21 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED 6
Image
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 51200
White Balance Presets 6 0
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 15 209
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921000 1040000
Touch screen No Yes
Screen type N/A TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 1.1× (0.73× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A 0
Photography features
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Frames per second 10 fps 11 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes No
Built-in Flash Range 10 meters N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
AVCHD
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1440 x 1080
1920 x 1080
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Memory Card Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No Yes
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Optional) Yes (via smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a55
Nikon Z30
Enviromentally sealed No Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Rechargeable NP-FW50 battery & charger
EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 380 shots 330 shots
Width 124 mm 128 mm
Height 92 mm 74 mm
Depth 85 mm 60 mm
Weight 500 gram 405 gram