Photoconductivity is a phenomenon in which the electrical conductivity of a material increases upon exposure to light. Zn-based nanomaterials, including ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanorods, have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their unique photoconductive properties. Photoconductivity is a fundamental property of materials that refers to the increase in electrical conductivity upon absorption of light. This paper provides an overview of photoconductivity in Zn-based nanomaterials, including the mechanisms of photoconductivity, and the factors affecting it, such as size, morphology, and doping, and highlights the prospects of zinc-based nanomaterials in optoelectronics.