The selection of the best Nikon Z lenses continues to expand, as Nikon persistently updates its lens range to cover every focal length that photographers and videographers might need. With such a variety available, choosing the right Nikon Z lens can be daunting. To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the finest Nikon Z lenses we've used, tested, and reviewed.
The Nikon Z mount boasts a significantly larger lens flange than the F-mount used by the best Nikon DSLR lenses. The absence of a mirror assembly in Z cameras allows the lens to be positioned much closer to the sensor compared to a DSLR. This design enables the creation of smaller, lighter, faster, and superior lenses. In fact, one of the key reasons Nikon Z mirrorless models are considered among the best Nikon cameras is their exceptional and continually improving lens range.
Although several third-party options exist, we’ve simplified this guide by focusing exclusively on Nikon-made lenses. We start with a quick list of standout lenses that we highly recommend for different types of users. Following that is the main list, featuring every lens we've reviewed and rated for the Nikon Z mirrorless system. This includes options for various budgets, from affordable lenses we endorse to high-end professional gear. Additionally, we provide a section on how to choose the best lenses, explain our testing procedures, and answer frequently asked questions about Nikon lenses.
Let’s dive in!
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and a Nikon Z6 II owner – and that makes him our best-qualified writer to recommend the best Nikon Z primes and zooms you can buy.
Best Nikon Z lenses: our top picks
Best budget wide zoom
The Nikon Z 17-28mm is a beautiful compromise to creating a fast wide-angle zoom - by providing a lens with less wide-angle range than the more traditional 14-28mm f/2.8
Best workhorse lens
Nikon’s top quality f/2.8 telephoto zoom for its full-frame mirrorless cameras sets new standards for image quality and all-around performance.
Best for wildlife
It’s been a long wait, but the Z 100-400mm VR S finally brings a super-telephoto lens to Nikon’s Z-mount stable. And it’s certainly been worth the wait.
Best for street photography
A high-end nifty fifty with the S-Line designation, this prime lens provides a naturalistic perspective that's great for street and documentary shooting.
Best for portraits
This 85mm is a relatively affordable route into portraiture. It may be f/1.8 rather than f/1.4, but it still produces images with brilliant bokeh in defocused areas.
Best for macro
If you're looking to shoot close-up and macro images, we wholeheartedly recommend this 105mm prime. Its image quality is simply sublime.
Best Nikon Z lenses in 2024
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Nikkor Z zooms
Here are all the Nikkor zoom lenses for Z-mount we have tested and reviewed.
17-28mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a more affordable option: This lens is priced lower compared to other f/2.8 zooms, making it a great budget-friendly option for both enthusiasts and pros.
✅ You want in-body stabilization support: Although the lens lacks optical VR, it takes full advantage of the in-body stabilization (IBIS) in Nikon Z cameras, ensuring steady shots.
❌ You want a wider zoom range: If you need an ultra-wide option, the 17-28mm range is more limited compared to traditional 14-28mm lenses, which may not be enough for some users.
❌ You want the absolute best: While it's a great compromise, professionals seeking the ultimate performance might prefer lenses with a wider zoom range or additional features.
Pro and enthusiast photographers aspire to owning zooms with fast, constant f/2.8 maximum apertures - but these come at a price and with bulk. The Nikon Z 17-28mm is a beautiful compromise to creating a fast wide-angle zoom - by providing a lens with less wide-angle range than the more traditional 14-28mm f/2.8, it has made a lens that is easier to carry and more affordable for users. As such it follows on from, and becomes the perfect partner to, the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 standard zoom.
The autofocus system is very snappy for stills, while also delivering smooth transitions for video capture, along with negligible focus breathing and virtually silent operation. There’s no optical VR (Vibration Reduction) but the lens takes full advantage of in-body stabilization, featured in all of Nikon’s full-frame Z system cameras.
Overall, this delivers excellent image quality and all-round performance – at a bargain price!
Read our full Nikkor Z 17-28mm f/2.8 review for more details
14-24mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want the ability to use filters: Unlike many ultra-wide lenses, this lens supports 112mm filters thanks to its included lens hood, allowing more flexibility in creative photography.
✅ You want exceptional image quality: This lens is designed for professionals, featuring a 16-element construction with advanced optics, including Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings to minimize ghosting and flare.
❌ You want a more compact lens: The 14-24mm range and robust build make this lens quite bulky and less portable compared to lighter options.
❌ You want a budget-friendly option: This lens is part of Nikon's premium S-line and is priced accordingly, which may not be ideal for enthusiasts or those on a budget.
The Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is the widest member of a holy trinity of S-line zooms with f/2.8 constant apertures. A very obvious attempt to lure pros to the Z mount, it has to provide exceptional image quality to meet these exacting standards, and it does deliver on that front.
The 16-element construction includes 3 aspherical elements, as well as Nikon's Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coat that reduce ghosting and flare. The front element also has a smear-resistant fluorine coating. The lens is fully weather sealed, and like the 14-30mm, it comes with an included lens hood that enabled filters to be used, though they do need to be huge 112mm filters. Nikon offers its own Neutral Colour and Circular Polarizer filters in this size if you're struggling to find any.
Read our full Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S review for more details
180-600mm f/5.6-6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want an affordable ultra-telephoto zoom: The Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR offers an impressive zoom range at a price point that makes it accessible for enthusiasts and hobbyists.
✅ You want effective optical stabilization: The built-in VR (Vibration Reduction) helps reduce camera shake, especially when shooting at the far end of the zoom range, providing more stability in handheld shooting.
❌ You want to avoid further light loss with teleconverters: While compatible with teleconverters, using one will reduce the effective aperture further, which might make it impractical for certain lighting conditions.
❌ You want a more compact setup: The 180-600mm zoom range results in a large, heavy lens that might not be ideal for travel or extended handheld use.
Bringing ultra telephoto zoom range to the masses, the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is genuinely pretty affordable by the standards of its class. It's pitch-perfect for wildlife, birding, sports and action photography, with fast autofocus, brilliant sharpness, and optical stabilisation to help you handle the lens at the outer reaches of its zoom range. A suite of four customizable L-Fn (Lens Function) buttons situated on the barrel make the lens easy to set up just as you want it – handling in general is very intuitive and natural-feeling, as we found when we took it out for a test drive.
This lens is compatible with Nikon's 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters to extend its zoom reach. However, given the already modest aperture rating, you may find that losing another stop or two by attaching one of these proves impractical. A better solution for those wanting more telephoto reach may be to set your full-frame Nikon Z camera to DX mode – extending the effective zoom range of the lens to 270-900mm.
Read our full Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR review for more details.
70-180mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want beautiful bokeh: Shooting at wider apertures produces top-notch bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and situations where subject isolation is important.
✅ You want premium image quality: Despite being lighter and cheaper, the lens delivers excellent image quality due to its sophisticated optical construction.
❌ You want a classic 70-200mm range: While close, the 70-180mm focal length is slightly shorter than the more common 70-200mm, which may be limiting for certain users who rely on the extra reach.
❌ You want full pro-level durability: Although it’s lighter, it might not offer the same rugged build and weather sealing as more expensive pro-grade lenses like the 70-200mm f/2.8.
Part of the same trinity as the Z 17-28mm f/2.8 in our top spot, this lightweight lens is a compelling alternative to the standard workhorse 70-200mm f/2.8. It offers a lighter build and a lower price tag, but still delivers on the essentials, with premium image quality thanks to a sophisticated optical construction, as well as fast autofocus powered by a linear stepping motor. In terms of its handling, it really doesn't feel the way we've come to expect constant f/2.8 lenses to feel, which is great for those who like to shoot handheld. And the bokeh quality produced when shooting at shallower depths of field is absolutely top notch.
Given its price and size, you might think this lens a good pairing with Nikon's DX-format mirrorless cameras. However, it's hampered in this regard by the fact that there's no Optical VR – Nikon's APS-C cameras don't have built-in stabilisation, so the lens will be difficult to use at longer focal lengths (an issue that will be exacerbated further by the APS-C crop factor).
Read our full Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8 review to find out more.
24-70mm f/4
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a more affordable option, as this lens costs less than half the price of Nikon’s top-tier Z 24-70mm f/2.8.
✅ You want a versatile control ring that allows for autofocus override, manual focus, and customizable functions like step-less aperture adjustment for video shooting.
❌ You want a lens with a larger aperture, as the f/4 transmits less light and offers a less shallow depth of field than faster lenses.
❌ You want a faster lens for low-light performance or greater subject isolation, in which case this lens might not meet your needs, though it can be paired with f/1.8 primes.
Less than half the price of Nikon’s top-flight Z 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (below), this one is much more compact and lightweight. As well as having a retractable design for compact stowage, the glass elements towards the front of the lens naturally have a smaller diameter, the trade-off being that the f/4 aperture rating transmits less light and doesn’t allow for such a tight depth of field.
There’s certainly no lack in outright image quality, however, this lens is being sold not only in its own right but as a ‘kit’ lens with the Z6 and range-topping Z7 cameras. On the latter, it makes full use of the high megapixel count to retain ultra-fine levels of detail and texture.
Typical of Z-mount lenses, the control ring serves not only for manual override of autofocus and fully manual focusing but also for a variety of other customizable functions, including step-less aperture adjustment during movie capture. Even if you want a ‘faster’ lens, there’s a lot to be said about sticking with this zoom and supplementing it with an f/1.8 prime or two.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S review for more details
24-70mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a lens that’s highly corrected for color fringing and distortion, offering exceptional optical quality.
✅ You want a top-quality professional lens, as the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is at the leading edge of optical performance.
❌ You want a more affordable or lightweight option, in which case you might prefer the Nikkor 24-70mm f/4, as the f/2.8 version is more expensive and heavier.
❌ You want something smaller and more portable, making the f/4 version better suited for travel and enthusiast photography.
We’d still recommend the Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 lens (above) for enthusiasts and travel photographers purely for its size and affordability, but for professionals and experts, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a no-brainer. It’s a top-quality professional lens at the leading edge of optical performance.
The smaller lens is already so well corrected for color fringing and distortion that it left little room for improvement, but the 24-70mm f/2.8 is even sharper in the centre, far sharper at the edges, and delivers not just higher levels of resolution overall, but amazing consistency across the focal length and aperture range. The only thing is if you want the best you have to pay for it, both in financial cost and weight.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S review for more details
70-200mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want stunning sharpness across the entire image frame, including the corners, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8.
✅ You want super-fast and highly accurate autofocus, making this lens ideal for fast-paced shooting scenarios.
❌ You want a more affordable option, as this lens comes with a high price tag, though its performance justifies it.
❌ You want a lightweight and portable lens, but this lens is relatively heavy due to its robust build and high-quality components, making it less ideal for travel or extended handheld use.
Nikon’s top quality f/2.8 telephoto zoom for its full-frame mirrorless cameras sets new standards for image quality and all-around performance. It’s a fabulous lens that delivers spectacular performance in every respect. The autofocus system is super-fast and unerringly accurate, while lens-shift VR delivers 5-stop effectiveness right out to the longest focal length.
Throughout most of the zoom range, levels of sharpness are absolutely stunning, right across the entire image frame and into the extreme corners, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8. Of course, all this doesn't come cheap, but the price is certainly justified.
Read our full Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S review for more details
14-30mm f/4
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want an ultra-wide lens that excels at exaggerating perspectives and capturing expansive scenes, making this lens perfect for landscape or architecture photography.
✅ You want the ability to attach filters, as the removable hood allows for standard 82mm-thread filters, which many wide-angle lenses cannot accommodate.
❌ You want internal stabilization, but this lens lacks it and relies on the in-body stabilization of higher-end Nikon Z cameras
❌ You want a physical focus distance scale, but this feature is missing, which may be a drawback for some photographers who prefer tactile focusing aids.
This S-line ultra-wide lens is the perfect companion for exaggerating perspectives and getting as much of the scene into the frame as you can. Like pretty much any S-line lens you'd care to name, it comes bearing a customizable control ring, and a fast and near-silent stepping motor autofocus system.
There's no internal stabilization, as the lens relies on the in-body stabilization mechanisms of high-end Nikon Z cameras like the Z5 and Z7 II, and it also has no physical focus distance scale. Some photographers may dislike this omission; many won't be bothered.
Image quality and performance are excellent - with our lab tests noting that corner-to-corner sharpness is particularly outstanding for an wide-angle lens. It is supplied with a removable hood, making it simple to attach 82mm-thread filters. This is important for a wide-angle, as many simply can't take filters due to their bulbous front elements.
Read our full Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S review for more details
24-50mm f/4-6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a light and compact full-frame lens, making this an ideal option for traveling photographers or those who prefer a minimal setup.
✅ You want a versatile lens that complements Nikon Z cameras well, providing a convenient all-in-one solution for casual shooting.
❌ You want better low-light performance, but the f/4-6.3 maximum aperture limits its effectiveness in dim conditions.
❌ You want a larger zoom range, but the 2x zoom is minimal, which may leave you wanting more versatility in focal lengths.
Amazingly light and compact for full-frame, the Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 makes for a wonderful complement to Nikon Z cameras. If you're a traveling photographer or just someone who likes to keep their setup minimal, it's a terrific lens to take along with you and is available for a very reasonable price.
However, there are a few considerable drawbacks. The lens is so light means that it covers a pretty miserly focal range. The 2x zoom range is so minimal that one could argue you'd be better off using a prime for the optical quality and just moving your feet when you need to. Second, there's the f/4-6.3 maximum aperture, which pretty seriously curtails the low-light performance.
Nikon has undoubtedly done an amazing job of making a full-frame lens that's this slim and portable, but it's worth being aware of exactly what you're getting before taking the plunge on this one.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 for more details
24-120mm f/4
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a modern mirrorless version of a classic F-mount lens, offering familiarity with improved optical performance for Nikon Z cameras.
✅ You want a versatile 5x zoom range, making the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S a flexible option for a wide range of shooting situations.
❌ You want built-in vibration reduction (VR), but this lens lacks VR, making it less suitable for DX-format cameras like the Z 50 and Z fc, especially in handheld shooting.
❌ You want a faster aperture for better low-light performance, but the constant f/4 aperture may feel limiting in dimmer conditions.
Building on bygone popularity, the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a mirrorless version of a somewhat classic 5x standard zoom for F-mount DSLRs. It makes the most of optical enhancements afforded by the Z system’s larger mount circumference and closer proximity to the image sensor.
The net result is enhanced sharpness and all-around image quality, across the whole frame and throughout the entire zoom range, along with a reasonably compact and lightweight build. However, the lack of VR makes it less ideal for DX-format mirrorless cameras like the Z 50 and Z fc.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S review for more details
24-200mm f/4-6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a versatile lens that covers everything from wide-angle to telephoto in a single compact package, making it perfect for travel or all-in-one shooting needs.
✅ You want effective image stabilization, with a 4.5-stop optical stabilizer that works alongside in-body stabilization on cameras
❌ You want a faster aperture, but the f/6.3 maximum aperture at the longest focal length may limit its performance in low-light situations.
❌ You want optimal wide-angle coverage on DX-format cameras, but you lose some wide-angle ability due to the crop factor on cameras like the Z50.
Ideal for the long or short haul, this ‘superzoom’ lens gives you everything from great wide-angle coverage to powerful telephoto reach, at the flick of a wrist. It’s impressively compact and lightweight for a full-frame compatible superzoom, measuring 114mm in length and tipping the scales at just 570g. That’s pretty remarkable, considering it can replace separate dual 24-70mm and 70-200mm zoom lenses, albeit with a more restrictive aperture rating of f/6.3 at the longest setting.
Travel-friendly credentials include weather seals and a fluorine coating on the front element to repel moisture and grease, as well as an anti-glare ARNEO Coat for when (or if) the sun comes out. It also boasts a 4.5-stop optical stabilizer which works in conjunction with the in-body stabilizers of the Z5, Z6, and Z7, and is even more desirable in the Z50 which has no IBIS. On the latter, you gain in telephoto reach what you lose in wide-angle ability, the ‘effective’ zoom range equating to 36-300mm in full-frame terms.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR review for more details
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a super-telephoto lens that delivers exceptional image quality, making it ideal for wildlife, sports, and landscape photography.
✅ You want highly effective vibration reduction (VR) with 5.5 stops of stabilization, helping to produce sharp images even at longer focal lengths.
❌ You want a more compact alternative, but the size and build of this lens are designed for serious performance, which can be less convenient for casual shooting.
❌ You want a more budget-friendly option, as this lens comes with a hefty price tag, which may be a barrier for some photographers.
It’s been a long wait, but the Z 100-400mm VR S finally brings a super-telephoto lens to Nikon’s Z-mount stable. And it’s certainly been worth the wait. This is a fabulous lens that combines rapid autofocus and highly effective 5.5-stop VR with superb image quality.
All-round performance is top-drawer, while handling is enhanced by customizable function buttons and an additional ‘de-clicked’ control ring, along with a multi-function OLED display. It’s a weighty lens with a hefty price tag, but a worthy Z-mount successor to the aging Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens, launched back in 2013 with DSLRs in mind.
Read our full Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S review for more details
Nikkor Z primes
Here are the standout primes in the Nikkor Z range, all of which our team have reviewed and rated.
20mm f/1.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want exceptional image quality, as this lens meets the high standards of Z-mount Nikkor S-line lenses, ensuring sharp and detailed photographs.
✅ You want minimal focus breathing, which is beneficial for video work, providing more consistent framing.
❌ You want a more versatile zoom option, as a prime lens may limit flexibility in focal lengths for those who prefer not to switch lenses frequently.
❌ You want a more budget-friendly option, but this lens is fairly pricey, comparable to the Z 14-30mm f/4 S zoom.
When you want a wider viewing angle than your 24-70mm zoom can deliver, this is the ideal prime lens for Z5, Z6, and Z7 cameras. Image quality is up to the typically terrific standard of Z-mount Nikkor S-line lenses, and you can enjoy similarly refined handling, virtually silent autofocus, and negligible focus breathing. Overall, it’s a superb lens that’s equally capable of stills and movie capture, and it’s also a delight for astrophotography.
The wide viewing angle and fast aperture combine to give great versatility for everything from cramped interiors to rolling landscapes and beyond, taking in heavenly skies at night. It’s pretty pricey, costing about the same as Nikon’s Z 14-30mm f/4 S zoom, but the sheer quality and performance make the 20mm well worth the money.
Read our full Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S review for more details
24mm f/1.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want a lens that enhances your photographic creativity, encouraging more thoughtful composition as you move to frame your shots.
✅ You want stunning image quality, with this prime lens delivering exceptional sharpness and clarity, even when used wide-open.
❌ You want to minimize the need for physical movement, but using a prime lens means you'll need to reposition yourself more often to find the right composition.
❌ You want versatility in focal lengths, but as a prime lens, the Z 24mm limits your options compared to zoom lenses that cover a broader range.
Nikon’s brace of Z-mount 24-70mm zoom lenses for its full-frame mirrorless cameras perform so well that you’d be forgiven for wondering why there’s a need for a 24mm prime as well. Naturally, any prime lens is good if you like composing shots with your feet and totting up your count of Fitbit steps, but the Z 24mm is also faster than its zoom siblings, with an f/1.8 aperture rating.
What’s more, it delivers drop-dead gorgeous image quality even when shooting wide-open. First-class optics are wrapped up in a compact and lightweight yet robust package, making this lens an absolute joy to use and a Nikkor lens to treasure.
Read our full Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S review for more details
35mm f/1.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want exceptional optical performance, as the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S delivers outstanding image quality that justifies its price.
✅ You want a lens that excels in various shooting scenarios, thanks to its versatile 35mm focal length, suitable for portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
❌ You want a more competitive maximum aperture, but the f/1.8 aperture is relatively modest compared to rival 35mm lenses that offer f/1.4.
❌ You want distance scale and depth of field markings, but these features are absent, which may frustrate some users who rely on them for manual focusing.
It’s quite a lot to pay for a humble 35mm f/1.8, but the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S’s optical performance immediately shows where the money’s been spent. Like the rest of the Nikon Z prime lenses, this one is optically excellent, which helps make up for the relatively modest f/1.8 maximum aperture, when many rival 35mm lenses are f/1.4s.
You don't get a distance scale either, or any depth of field markings, but is the same across Nikon's Z mount f/1.8 prime lens range. This sounds like a lot of negatives, but the optical performance of the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S, its smooth and silent operation, and its light weight make up for all of that.
Read our full Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S review for more details
50mm f/1.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want excellent bokeh, as this lens produces remarkably smooth defocused areas, making it ideal for portraits and creative photography.
✅ You want a well-built lens with weather-sealed construction, providing durability and reliability in various shooting conditions.
❌ You want a faster aperture option, but the f/1.8 maximum aperture is modest compared to other 50mm lenses that offer f/1.4.
❌You want additional features or controls, but this lens may lack some advanced features found in higher-end models.
50mm f/1.8 lenses are often regarded as the poor relations of f/1.4 standard primes. But despite its modest aperture rating, this Z-mount lens delivers sumptuous image quality, with amazing levels of sharpness across the whole image frame and negligible distortion or color fringing.
The f/1.8 aperture also enables a reasonably compact and lightweight build, in keeping with slim-line mirrorless camera bodies. Even more impressively, the quality of the bokeh is remarkably good for a 50mm f/1.8 lens, with a particularly smooth rendition of defocused areas. Autofocus is very fast and virtually silent, and the lens is well-built with a weather-sealed construction. It’s pretty pricey for a 50mm f/1.8 prime but well worth the money.
Read our full Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S review for more details
85mm f/1.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want an ideal focal length for portraiture, as the 85mm distance is perfect for capturing head-and-shoulders and half-length shots from a comfortable distance.
✅ You want a lightweight option that is only slightly larger and heavier than the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens, ensuring portability without sacrificing performance.
❌ You want a lens with built-in stabilization, but the absence of this feature means you may need to rely more on camera stabilization to avoid sharpness issues.
❌ You want a faster aperture option, as many photographers prefer 85mm f/1.4 lenses for their tighter depth of field and enhanced background blur.
Only a little larger and heavier than Nikon’s Z 50mm f/1.8 S lens, this 85mm optic is better suited to portraiture on full-frame cameras. The focal length is ideal for head-and-shoulders and half-length shots from a natural shooting distance. 85mm f/1.4 lenses are often preferred for their tighter depth of field, which can blur the background a little more effectively and make the main subject really stand out.
Based on our tests, however, the bokeh (pictorial quality of defocused areas) produced by this lens is easily on par with f/1.4 lenses, and better than some. As with other Z-mount f/1.8 S-line primes, the build quality is very good and features weather seals. A drawback of unstabilized 85mm telephoto lenses is that camera shake can degrade sharpness in handheld shooting, but the in-body stabilization of Z5, Z6, and Z7 cameras helps to deliver consistently sharp shots.
Read our full Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S review for more details
50mm f/1.2
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want exceptional image quality, as this 17-element pro lens is designed to deliver top-notch performance, utilizing advanced coatings for improved clarity and contrast.
✅ You want user-friendly features, including a silent control ring for video work, a customizable Fn button for quick access to settings, and an OLED info panel to display essential data.
❌ You want a more compact and lightweight lens, but at 150mm long and over 1kg, this 50mm prime is quite hefty and may be cumbersome for some photographers.
❌ You want a more affordable price, as this lens is still a significant investment, making it less accessible for budget-conscious users.
Up to now, if you wanted a Nikon Z-mount prime faster than f/1.8, you'd have to remortgage your house and fork out for a Nikkor 58mm f/0.95 Noct. When compared to that lens, this 50mm f/1.2 S could almost be called cheap. However, there's no getting around the fact that at 150mm long and over 1kg in weight, this is one hefty 50mm prime.
Nikon is promising the best possible image quality from this 17-element pro lens, and it incorporates advanced coatings like anti-reflection ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coat, along with a 9-blade rounded diaphragm which is said to offer cinematic levels of bokeh. The exterior is fully weather-sealed and features a video-friendly silent control ring, along with a customizable Fn button and OLED info panel that displays important data.
Read our full Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S review for more details
50mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want versatility, as it works well not only as a macro lens but also as a short telephoto prime for DX-format (APS-C) Z-series cameras, providing an effective focal length of 75mm.
✅ You want a compact and lightweight design, making this macro lens a great travel companion for full-frame Z-series cameras.
❌ You want a wider aperture, but the f/2.8 maximum aperture may be less desirable for those seeking faster lenses for low-light situations or shallow depth of field effects.
❌ You want more extensive features, as this lens may lack some advanced functionalities found in higher-end macro lenses, which could limit its usability for specific applications.
There’s a lot to love about this new Nikkor Z macro lens. It’s refreshingly compact and lightweight, making it a good travel companion for a full-frame Z-series body, while also working really well as a short telephoto prime for DX-format (APS-C) Z-series cameras, where it has an effective focal length of 75mm.
It’s entirely capable as a 50mm standard prime for general shooting but really comes into its own for extreme close-ups. The only catch is that to enable full 1.0x macro magnification, the closeness of the shooting distance might be a little too extreme, with only 2 inches between the front of the lens and what you’re shooting.
Read our full Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 review for more details
105mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want ultra-fine focusing adjustments, thanks to the electronically coupled focus ring and autofocus range limiter, allowing for precise control over your shots.
✅ You want effective optical VR (Vibration Reduction), which can work in tandem with the in-body stabilizers of Nikon’s full-frame Z-series cameras to reduce camera shake.
❌ You want additional versatility, as some may find the 105mm focal length less suitable for wider applications beyond macro photography.
❌ You want a lower price point, as this lens is positioned as a premium offering, which may be out of reach for some photographers.
The Nikkor Z MC 105mm is something special. Sublime image quality for both general shooting and extreme close-ups is backed up by a super-fast and highly accurate autofocus system, along with highly effective optical VR (Vibration Reduction) that can work in tandem with the in-body stabilizers of Nikon’s full-frame Z-series cameras.
Handling exotica includes a multi-function OLED display, a customizable Lens-function button and control ring, plus an autofocus range limiter, along with an electronically coupled focus ring that enables ultra-fine adjustments. Everything’s wrapped up in a tough, weather-sealed construction. Image quality, all-round performance, and handling are simply sensational.
Read our full Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S review for more details
135mm f/1.8 Plena
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want splendid performance for tight portraits and close detail shots, producing images rich in character and detail that stand out in any portfolio.
✅ You want a sophisticated diaphragm with 11 blades, which helps create beautiful bokeh and a smooth out-of-focus area in your images.
❌ You want a more compact design, as the lens is fairly bulky due to the quality glass and construction, which might be cumbersome for some users.
❌ You want versatility in applications, but the specific use cases of this lens may not suit all photographers, particularly those seeking a more general-purpose lens.
Nikon's Plena lens sets a new standard for optical quality. Nikon's priority when designing this lens was to put quality glass above all else, and it shows – with a complex optical path including multiple specialist elements (see our review for a full breakdown), this is a lens that delivers on optical sharpness with minimal aberration or distortion. For tight portraits and close detail shots it is quite simply splendid – producing images full of character. We were bowled over by it in our review.
It's quite an expensive lens with quite specific use cases, and it's also fairly bulky thanks to all that quality glass stuffed inside. However, the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena really is one of a kind. With high-tech coatings, an 11-blade diaphragm and whip-fast autofocus, it's one of the best Nikkor lenses ever made, and a superb companion to any Nikon Z camera.
Read our full Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena review for more.
400mm f/2.8
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want versatility: The built-in 1.4x teleconverter gives you two lenses in one—functioning as both a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4—allowing for greater shooting flexibility.
✅ You want durability: Built to last a lifetime, the lens features robust construction and premium materials, making it suitable for challenging environments.
❌ You want affordability: At around $14,000 / £13,500, the lens is prohibitively expensive for most hobbyists and even some professionals.
❌ You want lightweight options: The lens is heavy and bulky, which can make it cumbersome for extended use or when shooting handheld.
Not many of us would dream of spending around $14,000 / £13,500 on a lens. But we’re still curious, in the same way, that car buffs like to check out a Ferrari. The million-dollar question, so to speak, is whether this Nikkor justifies its price tag. In one word… Absolutely.
With its built-in 1.4x teleconverter, it’s like two lenses in one – a 400mm f/2.8 and a 560mm f/4. It delivers spectacular overall performance and stunning image quality in both configurations has all the handling extras you could wish for and is built to last a lifetime.
Read our full Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S review for more details
600mm f/6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want effective depth of field control: Despite the f/6.3 aperture, the long focal length enables the creation of images with a nice, shallow depth of field, adding artistic flair.
✅ You want fast autofocus: The autofocus system is reliably quick, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects without delay.
❌ You want a wider aperture: While f/6.3 is capable, some may find it limiting compared to lenses with wider apertures, especially in low-light situations.
❌ You want affordability: Although the price isn't mentioned, premium lenses often come with a significant cost that may be out of reach for many photographers.
This lens was a successor to Nikon's 800mm f/6.3, which you'll meet below, and it boasts a number of the same features, such as the Phase Fresnel element in its optical path. Based on the technology used to focus the beams of a lighthouse, this element enables a much more lightweight design than one might traditionally associate with a 600mm lens.
The Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S hugely impressed us in testing. Image quality is absolute dynamite, with superlative sharpness right the way across the aperture range. Granted, f/6.3 might sound a little pedestrian, but the long focal length of this lens makes it straightforward to still get images with a nice, shallow depth of field. The autofocus is reliably snappy, and the lightweight handling feels very intuitive. Honestly, it's a hard lens to fault and has gone on to be one of our favorites for the system.
Read our full Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S review for more.
800mm f/6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want effective stabilization: The optical VR works in conjunction with IBIS in Z system full-frame cameras, providing excellent stabilization for handheld shooting, resulting in consistently sharp images.
✅ You want affordability: Priced at less than half of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, this lens offers great value for those looking for a high-performance telephoto option without breaking the bank.
❌ You want versatility: While it excels in telephoto situations, it may not be as versatile for wider compositions or other photography styles.
❌You want a wider aperture: The f/6.3 aperture may limit low-light performance and the ability to achieve a shallow depth of field compared to faster lenses.
This lens gives you telephoto superpowers in a relatively lightweight package. The downsized build comes courtesy of a modest f/6.3 aperture rating, and once again there's a Phase Fresnel optical element, the technology that’s commonly used to focus the beam in a lighthouse.
The addition of highly effective optical VR that works in tandem with IBIS in Z system full-frame cameras, plus a useful range of handling extras, ensure top-quality results time after time, with excellent consistency even in handheld shooting. When you need to nail the definitive moment in action, sports, and wildlife photography, this is a lens you can count on, and for less than half the price of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S.
Read our full Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S review for more details
Nikon Z DX lenses
Here, we've collated the lenses that are specifically made for DX-format cameras with APS-C sensors – as there aren't too many of them!
DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want portability: Weighing just 135g and measuring only 32mm in length when retracted, this lens is ultra-compact, making it easy to carry and ideal for travel.
✅ You want impressive image quality: The lens delivers great sharpness and contrast, even when shooting wide open, providing excellent results across the zoom range.
❌ You want a wider aperture: The maximum aperture of f/3.5-6.3 may limit low-light performance and depth of field control, especially at the long end of the zoom range.
❌ You want a wider aperture: The maximum aperture of f/3.5-6.3 may limit low-light performance and depth of field control, especially at the long end of the zoom range.
Tipping the scales at just 135g, this DX (APS-C) format standard zoom for the Z50 pretty much qualifies as a ‘pancake lens’, measuring a mere 32mm in length when retracted. The flip side is that, compared with weightier FX (full-frame format) Z-mount lenses, it feels a bit less solid and has a plastic rather than a metal mounting plate.
Even so, it’s certainly robust enough for daily shooting. Like most similarly priced APS-C format cameras, the Z50 lacks IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) but the lens comes to the rescue with 4.5-stop optical VR (Vibration Reduction). Although small in size, the little Nikkor punches above its weight, delivering great sharpness and contrast even when shooting wide-open, which is just as well considering that the widest available aperture shrinks to f/.6.3 at the long end of the zoom range. A silver version of this lens is now available, to match the retro styling of the Nikon Z fc.
Read our full Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR for more details
DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ You want extended reach: With an effective zoom range of 75-375mm in full-frame terms, this lens allows you to capture distant subjects, making it ideal for wildlife and sports photography.
✅ You want excellent handling: The lens balances well with the Z50 body and features smooth zoom and control ring actions, enhancing the overall shooting experience.
❌ You want a faster aperture: The f/6.3 aperture at the telephoto end may limit performance in low-light conditions and reduce depth of field control.
❌ You want durability: The plastic mounting plate might feel less robust compared to metal mounts found on higher-end lenses, which could affect longevity.
Designed for Nikon’s DX-format Z50, this telephoto lens has an ‘effective’ zoom range of 75-375mm in full-frame terms, edging into the super-telephoto territory. Even so, it’s remarkably small and lightweight, partly thanks to a retractable design and plastic mounting plate. Handling is very good, with a really nice balance on the slinky Z50 body, and smooth action to its zoom ring and multi-function control ring.
The latter also acts as a focus ring, being electronically coupled to a rapid stepping motor autofocus system. Compared with the impressive autofocus speed, the aperture rating is less ‘fast’, shrinking to f/6.3 at the long end of the zoom range. However, that particular issue is minimized by excellent sharpness and contrast even when shooting wide-open, along with a 5-stop optical VR system that lives up to its claims.
Read our full Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR for more details
How to choose the best Nikon Z lenses
While there are many reasons to choose one lens over another, and some lenses are always going to be better than others, ultimately the choice of lens you make is going to be guided by what you plan to shoot. Whether you want a wide-angle, standard or telephoto lens, whether you pick a prime or a zoom – it should all be determined by what you want to use the lens for. You likely wouldn't use the same lens to photograph a skyscraper, a wild fox and a Ferrari.
Think about what you're planning to shoot, and how you're planning to shoot it. Want to capture big, sweeping vistas of landscapes and cities? A wide-angle lens will be perfect for filling the frame. Want to get naturalistic street shots and portraits? A standard lens (i.e. with a focal length around 40-70mm) will fit the bill. Looking to shoot sports, or capture images of elusive wildlife? A long-range telephoto will be a must.
You'll also need to weight up your budget. Lenses with wide maximum apertures, high-speed autofocus motors and built-in optical stabilisation systems are great to have – but they also cost more.
How we test Nikon Z lenses
We test lenses using both real-world sample images and lab tests. Our lab tests are carried out scientifically in controlled conditions using the Imatest testing suite, which consists of custom charts and analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture height, a measurement widely used in lens and camera testing. We find the combination of lab and real-world testing works best, as each reveals different qualities and characteristics.
Nikon Z lenses: frequently asked questions
What are Nikon S-Line lenses?
This term denotes Nikon's top-end range of optically superior lenses. If you see an 'S' in a Nikon lens' name, that means it's part of the S-Line, and is designed to offer pin-sharp resolution, with (according to Nikon) 'superb point-image reproduction, even at the widest apertures'. They're designed to reproduce point light sources more accurately, and provide aesthetically pleasing bokeh characteristics. As such, they tend to be the more expensive members of the line-up.
Can you use Nikon Z lenses on DSLRS?
No. While it is possible to mount Nikon F-mount lenses to Z-mount mirrorless cameras, via the FTZ and FTZ II adapters, there is no way to do the reverse. This situation almost certainly will not change, as Nikon is keen to move photographers and videographers away from its DSLRs and onto the newer mirrorless system.
Are there third-party Nikon Z lenses (from Sigma, Tamron etc)?
Yes! While in this guide we've kept things to Nikon-made lenses only, there are third-party options for Nikon Z that are well worth checking out. Both Sigma and Tamron have released autofocus lenses for the system, and there are a number of manual-focus lenses available from other manufacturers like 7artisans, TTartisans and Venus Optics (Laowa).
Read more:
The Nikon Z lens roadmap, and what's coming next!
These are the best Nikon cameras today
Got a Nikon DSLR? These are the best Nikon lenses to get
These are the best mirrorless cameras you can get right now Looking to turn pro? We check out the best cameras for professionals
