Life is a journey — one that you should take joy in capturing. That’s what travel vlogging is all about. But what’s the point if your camera doesn’t do it any justice? Or worse, what if your camera actively gets in your way? As an adventurer and traveler, you’ll find that the Nikon Z 30 not only captures stunning footage; this travel-ready camera makes it easier than ever to upload and share your experiences with the world. No matter where you go, the Nikon Z 30 is a great companion that ensures you don’t miss a thing.
Travel vlogging is a balancing act
Our number one tip for successful travel vlogging is simple: Be present. Let’s look at what that means in a practical sense.
First, being present means making sure your gear isn’t a burden to your ability to get around. Lugging a heavy, expensive camera onto planes and buses is tiring. Besides that, you’ll always be worrying about what might happen to your gear instead of enjoying the adventure. A small, lightweight camera is a better choice for vlogging on the go. You’ll want a camera that’s easy to toss in a bag as you head out for the day’s adventure. A good built-in microphone is always a plus. Good sound can give your viewer a sense of immersion, while bad sound can pull them out of your video completely.
Being present also means being ready for anything. When you’re in a new place, there are surprises around every corner. For your next travel vlog adventure, choose a camera that’s easy to use, and make sure to practice with it at home before your trip. Getting to know your gear in advance also gives you a chance to learn about all the important functions and how to access them quickly. You can also customize buttons and menus to your liking. You don’t want your gear distracting you from your travel experience.
Lastly, no matter where you travel, you need to be flexible — and so does your gear. Being able to go with the flow will allow life to happen all around you, ready for you to capture and share with your fans. Whether you’re on a spooky Halloween ghost tour or lounging on a bright beach, your gear needs to keep up. The whole point of travel is to experience and enjoy the unfamiliar sights and sounds. Capturing them in a travel vlog is just a bonus. Make sure the act of capturing the moment doesn’t outshine the moment itself.
Being present vs. capturing it all
As we just touched on, being present and capturing the moment can sometimes be at odds. Is it possible to fully embrace the travel experience while also capturing it to share with fans, friends and family? That’s an excellent question. The balancing act is tricky.
Luckily, the Nikon Z 30 is ready for travel vlogging. It has a lightweight body and ergonomic design that makes it easy to carry and use. No more tired arms after a long day of vlogging. Plus, its fully-articulating screen can be folded in against the camera body to protect it during transport. That means the camera can be easily stored in a bag or backpack when not in use.
Even more convenient, the articulating screen also helps you frame great selfie shots so you can talk straight to your viewers on the go. A built-in record lamp confirms you’re getting the shot. Using compact camera support like the SmallRig Tripod Grip and Bluetooth remote control makes getting engaging vlog footage even easier. These accessories and more are included with the Nikon Z 30 Creator’s Accessory Kit.
While size and weight are important to consider for any vlogging camera, so is usability. Digging through a menu at the moment the geyser finally erupts is never ideal, but it’s a relatable experience for many travel vloggers. The solution is to choose intuitive gear that allows you to experience the adventure and record it at the same time.
For this, reliable auto exposure and autofocus are a must, and the Z 30 has both. With full Auto mode, you can let the camera do the work, freeing you to focus on the action. Plus, the camera’s customizable iMenu and helpful built-in explainers make it simple to find and choose the right settings for your situation.
The Z 30 brings flexibility to your vlogging adventures with a number of useful features and creative shooting options. In addition to high-quality 4K video and 120 fps HD slow-motion, the camera also offers in-camera timelapse. It’s perfect for capturing a beautiful vacation sunset. That’s on top of a collection of Creative Picture Control modes, which allow you to make your video more engaging with artistic filters and effects. Plus, a wide ISO range ensures clear details, even in low light, so you can trust the Z 30 to capture the magic in your Halloween adventure.
For a more stable image, pair the Z 30 with either kit lens option: the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR Lens. Both lenses offer built-in vibration reduction.
Finally, audio can help establish ambiance and instill a sense of place into your travel vlog. That’s why the Z 30 features a built-in stereo microphone that captures the environment’s natural sound for an immersive experience. Or, use the camera’s 3.5 mm microphone input to attach an external mic, like the RØDE VideoMicro – included in the Creator’s Accessory Kit.
The Nikon Z 30 is built for travel vloggers
When you need an intuitive camera that’s easy to take with you, consider the Nikon Z 30. This travel-ready camera features a 20.9 MP DX-Format CMOS sensor that can capture video at up to UHD 4K 30p and Full HD 120p. That gives you mesmerizing quarter-speed slow motion to add to your travel vlog. The Z 30 also offers in-camera time-lapse as well as continuous stills shooting at up to 11 fps.
If you want to connect with fans during your trip, the Z 30 supports livestreaming at up to 60 fps in HD and at up to 30 fps in 4K. What’s more, Nikon’s SnapBridge app lets you transfer thumbnail photos, control the camera and easily install firmware on the go.
Eye and Face detect autofocus for people and pets helps keep the right subject in focus, even when shooting in unpredictable environments. Alongside that, the Z 30’s ISO range of 100 to 51,200 for photos and 100 to 25,600 provides a clear image in a variety of lighting conditions. With the help of Auto mode and easy-to-navigate menus, you can count on the Z 30 to capture exciting travel footage to share with your viewers.
The camera’s vlogging-optimized design features an ergonomic handgrip for on-the-go shooting. The three-inch 1.04 m-dot free-angle touchscreen LCD is useful when shooting at odd angles and is especially handy for selfies. As mentioned above, the Z 30 also includes a built-in stereo microphone. This is a great way to capture clear audio without bulking up your setup. However, for upgraded audio, you can also connect your own mic with the Z 30’s 3.5 mm microphone input.
Available kit lenses include the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR Lens. Opting for the dual lens kit gives you a full range of focal lengths so you can capture the action, whether near or far. Plus, both lenses help capture more stable footage thanks to built-in vibration reduction.
If you add on the Creator’s Accessory Kit, you’ll also get the RØDE VideoMicro Microphone with windscreen as well as a SmallRig Tripod Grip and Bluetooth remote control. It’s a great upgrade that adds a lot of flexibility to your travel vlogging setup.
Recording the adventure
Wherever your adventure takes you, enjoying the journey should be your first priority. That means you need vlogging gear that captures the moment without getting in your way. With the Nikon Z 30, that’s what you get. Learn more about how the Nikon Z 30 can help you capture and share your favorite travel moments here.