The Nikon Z collection is in its infancy, but the mirrorless line already has almost a dozen native lenses. While it’s also possible to use F-mount DSLR lenses through an adapter, the Z-mount lenses are one of many greatest perks to the brand new mirrorless system. Thanks to a wider mount, shorter flange distance, and improved optical designs, each Z lens that we’ve examined has been exceptionally sharp.
While any Z lens will mount to any Z digicam, be careful for lenses with a DX within the title. DX lenses are constructed particularly for the smaller APS-C sensor of the entry-level Nikon Z 50 and won’t fill the body of the bigger Z 6 and Z 7. By distinction, full-frame Z lenses can be utilized on the Z 50, though the picture might be cropped in comparison with how these lenses look on the Z 6 or Z 7.
While not almost as various as Nikon’s F-mount lenses (but), the Z mount presents glorious sharpness for each prime and zoom lenses. But which of them do you have to tuck in your bag? Here are the very best Nikon Z lenses (up to now).
Best Nikon Z wide-angle lens
Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8
Hillary Ok Grigonis / Digital Trends
Hillary Ok Grigonis / Digital Trends
Why you should purchase this: Exceptional sharpness and minimal distortion.
Who’s it for: Landscape, road, occasion, and low mild photographers — or anybody searching for a vibrant, wide-angle prime.
Why we picked the Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S:
Wide-angle lenses are vulnerable to distortion, however you’ll have bother recognizing any within the Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8. Barrel distortion is minimal, and chromatic aberration (coloured fringing across the edges of objects) is equally powerful to seek out. The greatest flaw that’s often noticeable in real-world taking pictures is a slight vignette, however that’s straightforward to edit out later.
Like the opposite Z lenses we’ve tried, this lens presents superior sharpness when in comparison with the typical DSLR lens. Sharpness extends effectively to the sides, and whereas f/2.8 is a bit sharper f/1.8, we didn’t have any hesitations taking pictures extensive open.
The lens is weather-sealed and feels very excessive finish. But, that premium match and end leads to some heft. While designed for mirrorless, the Z 24mm is definitely heavier and bigger than Nikon’s related F-mount lens. The additional few ounces, nevertheless, are definitely worth the glorious optical efficiency.
Read our Nikon Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S evaluate
Best Nikon Z zoom lens
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends
Why you should purchase this: A flexible zoom with glorious sharpness and minimal distortion
Who’s it for: This workhorse lens is good for execs and severe photograph lovers
Why we picked the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S:
The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is taken into account a workhorse by many photographers, due to the versatile zoom vary and the brilliant aperture. The Nikkor Z 24mm f/2.8 S is a pro-level lens designed to face up in a number of genres, from wedding ceremony pictures to sports activities. The Z mount lens is even sharper than Nikon’s related F-mount model — albeit, costlier.
Besides the added sharpness, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 additionally has little distortion and minimal chromatic aberration. The widest angle has a contact of barrel distortion, whereas the telephoto finish didn’t have any noticeable pincushion distortion. Bokeh is properly rounded with delicate circles, making it a stable alternative for portraiture.
Inside, the lens homes two autofocus motors which permit it to carry out higher than an F-mount lens with an adapter. The autofocus works effectively even up shut or with backlit topics — a scenario the place we’ve seen different lenses battle. Still, this lens didn’t resolve the low mild autofocus points with the Z our bodies.
As a pro-level lens, the outside is weather-sealed and feels constructed to maintain taking pictures for years. The focus scale is definitely a mini digital display screen — which suggests it’s nonetheless seen at midnight. While expensive, the construct high quality, versatility, and picture high quality make the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 among the finest Z lenses for execs that may’t afford to take the time to continually change between primes.
If you possibly can’t afford the f/2.8, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 is one other sharp lens. It doesn’t have the low-light or background blurring energy of the f/2.8 model, but it surely’s way more reasonably priced.
Read our Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S evaluate
Best Nikon Z telephoto lens
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Why you should purchase this: This lens presents an excellent mix of attain, vibrant aperture, and stabilization
Who’s it for: Sports, wildlife, weddings — any photographer searching for a pro-level telephoto zoom
Why we picked the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S:
Nikon has few telephoto choices for the Z mount that don’t require an adapter, however the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S could be the solely telephoto lens you want. It presents 200mm of attain with a vibrant f/2.8 aperture and is likely one of the solely full-frame Z lenses with picture stabilization (which Nikon calls VR, for Vibration Reduction). The lens VR works together with inner stabilization on the Z 6 and Z 7 cameras, making certain that your pictures stay tack-sharp even at 200mm.
As a brand new lens out there someday in February, the 70-200mm is likely one of the few Z lenses that we haven’t examined but — but when it’s something just like the 24-70mm f/2.8, the lens ought to ship some sharp telephoto photographs with delicate background blur.
As an S collection lens, the 70-200mm has the identical weather-sealing because the 24-70mm, together with that mini display screen show for the main target scale that’s seen at midnight, a customized management ring, and two shortcut buttons. This time, the lens is definitely cheaper than the F-mount equal, but it surely’s nonetheless not low-cost.
Read extra concerning the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Best Nikon Z portrait lens
Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
Daven Mathies/Digital Trends
Why you should purchase this: Sharp topics and spectacular bokeh meets a compact design and honest value
Who’s it for: Portrait photographers
Why we picked the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S:
85mm is a favourite focal size amongst many portrait photographers — and the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S is more likely to turn into essentially the most liked lens for Z portrait photographers. Like different Z lenses, the 85mm is optically glorious, but additionally sits at an inexpensive value.
The center-to-edge sharpness is good for taking pictures portraits. Bokeh is delicate and — at most apertures — round with none laborious edges. Chromatic aberration is minimal, even taking pictures wide-open. And whereas there’s a slight vignette, it doesn’t distract from the picture (and may truly be a desired search for portraits).
The 85mm appears to be like much like the remainder of the Z mount primes with a modern, minimalist design. For the broader aperture and longer focal size, the 85mm is pretty compact and weighs simply over a pound. The lens can be weather-sealed.
While the way more costly Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 will churn out gorgeous portraits for essentially the most high-end professionals, the Nikkor Z 85mm is the lens for the remainder of us — at a tenth of the price.
Read our Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.8 S evaluate
Editors’ Recommendations