The 3 Best Street Photography Cameras Nikon Makes

Nikon has a variety of cameras, designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of its customers. When the company moved to mirrorless, they had more misses than hits. But in more recent years, this has changed. Nikon has gone on to build a diverse portfolio, one that even has some exceptional devices for street photographers. Today, we take a look at a few that seem just perfect for this genre of image-makers, who not only want speed, but also a compact body.

Nikon Zf

When it comes to street photographers, many want a full-frame camera but in a compact body. The Nikon Zf, in that regard, is a perfect option. It features a 24.5MP FX-format BSI CMOS sensor, an EXPEED 7 processor, and pre-release capture that can shoot up to 30 JPEG frames. Its auto mode has Deep Learning technology that will make adjustments to your settings automatically for pleasing shots. For autofocus, it relies on 273 phase-detection AF points, and also has Eye-Detection AF and 3D Tracking modes. There is also 5-axis vibration reduction, and a continuous shooting speed of 14fps for JPEGs, and 11fps for RAW files. In our review, we found the autofocus to be speedy, exceptional image quality at high ISOs, exceptional colors, and the best ergonomics on the market for an interchangeable retro camera.

Nikon Z5 II

The Nikon Z5 II is another camera that many adore. Launched in 2025, the camera is touted to have ‘brains of Nikon Z8 in a body the size of a Z6 III.’ It features a 24.5MP BSI full frame CMOS sensor, EXPEED 7 processor, 299-point AF points, and allows 30fps of burst shooting. Some of its other features include Pixel Shift Shooting, high-res zoom, pre-release capture, 3D tracking autofocus option, and AF-A autofocus mode. Some of the things we liked were the weather sealing, resolution, viewfinder, and image stabilization. It’s body and the lens collection make it an ideal choice for street photography.

Nikon Z30

A budget-friendly camera, the Nikon Z30 is ideal for many beginners and serious enthusiasts in the genre. The camera boasts a 20MP APS-C sensor, an Expeed 6 processor, and 209 AF points. It also has a 3.0-inch 1.04 M-dot touchscreen, no viewfinder, has a burst rate at 11fps, and is somewhat weather resistant. It is quite reasonably priced, too, just under $750. Some of the things we liked include Eye AF, excellent noise reduction at high ISOs, simpler menus and dials, and overall build and ergonomics. The lack of a viewfinder, however, can be a hindrance to some. “Compact size, price point, and excellent image quality in low light are three strong reasons to consider this camera,” we said in our review. “It also has some weather sealing and doesn’t feel as plastic-fantastic as other budget models.”

As you can see, street photographers have some options, based on their expertise and budget. Since these cameras are compact and ILCs, one can always swap different lenses to make their shooting experience more fulfilling.