Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S reviews roundup: is it worth the price?
Released in 2018, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a versatile everyday zoom lens designed for Nikon Full frame mirroless cameras, with a fixed aperture of f/4 and a useful focal range.
Specs:
- Mount: Nikon Z-mount
- Optical stabilization: No
- Weather sealed: Dust and moisture resistant
- Weight: 500 g (17.7 oz)
- Min. aperture: f/4
- Max. aperture: f/22
- Minimum focus distance: 0.3 meters (0.99 feet)
- Filter size: 72mm
- Versatile 24-70mm wide-angle to medium telephoto zoom for Z Mirrorless cameras
- New optical Formula that Achieves extreme sharpness across the entire frame with virtually no distortion
- Constant f/4 max aperture for consistent exposure at any focal length
What do the critics think of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S?
Overall, most reviews on the web say that the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a pretty good standard lens for Nikon Z cameras. It’s level of optical performance is very good, it provides extremely sharp pictures edge to edge, and there’s nothing to really complain about it.
It has a fast and quiet autofocus, it’s focal range is versatile (from wide angle to portrait) and you can even use it for casual close-up photography.
The main downsides that come up most often is that it’s quite expensive for what it is. Also, with its aperture of only f/4 it’s not a bright lens and if you need to use it in low light situation you’ll have to bump the ISO up. Bokeh is not really crazy too…
If you don’t get it initally with your camera, then I would not recommend you to buy it at full price unless you absolutely need a small size and lightweight lens, and if a f/4 aperture is sufficient for you.
Most reviews like…
- Useful zoom range
- Excellent optical performance
- Compact design
- Dust and moisture resistant
- Fast and silent autofocus
Most reviews don’t like…
- F/4 aperture (don’t expect an amazing bokeh…)
- Slightly soft corners at 70mm
- Vignetting at f/4
- Overpriced if bought separatly from a bundle
- No stabilisation (but none of the new Nikkor Z lenses are stabilized)
For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S , check out the selection of reviews below:
Websites Reviews
Digitalcameraworld.com – ★★★★☆ (‘On paper, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 looks unambitious, but its small size, light weight and great optical performance make it an exceptional companion for the Nikon Z7.’)
Digitaltrends.com – 8.0/10 (‘Z-series photographers that don’t need a crazy bright aperture but want a versatile zoom should pick up the Z 24-70mm f/4 S. The lens is well made and offers better sharpness and less distortion over budget lenses. Photographers that need that wide aperture may want to hold off, however, and adapt an f/2.8 zoom for softer backgrounds and more wiggle room with the exposure in low light.’)
Pcmag.com – 4/5 – Excellent (‘The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a sharp, compact zoom for the Z camera system that’s an especially good value when purchased as part of a bundle.’)
Photographyblog.com – ★★★★½ Highly recommended (‘Ideal as a travel lens, covering 24-70mm in a small and light package is appealing, especially to those who have been used to using a DSLR and a standard 24-70mm lens. That said, there have been some compromises made to keep the size down, most obviously in the fact that it’s a fairly narrow aperture at f/4.0, when many would expect, or hope for an f/2.8 24-70mm lens.[…] When it comes to image quality, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S displays a fantastic level of sharpness, while, despite the fairly narrow aperture, it’s capable of creating very attractive shallow depth of field effects.’)
Thephoblographer.com – 5/5 – (‘As the first zoom lens available for Z Mount, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f4 S features excellent weather sealing in a compact package. ‘)
Photoreview.com.au – 9/10 (‘ As a kit lens, the 24-70mm f/4 S provides enough versatility to satisfy most purchasers of Nikon’s Z-mount cameras, ranging from wide-angle to portrait-length perspectives. Its constant f/4 maximum aperture and electromagnetic aperture mechanism provide stable focus and exposure control and near-silent autofocusing and its overall performance is excellent for a lens of this type.’)
Techradar.com – ★★★★½ – (‘This compact lens is versatile, and most importantly it backs that up with incredibly assured optical performance that does justice to the new cameras. For those making the switch to Nikon’s new full-frame mirrorless system, this lens should be an essential part of their kit. ‘)
Amazon users reviews
- Versatile 24-70mm wide-angle to medium telephoto zoom for Z Mirrorless cameras
- New optical Formula that Achieves extreme sharpness across the entire frame with virtually no distortion
- Constant f/4 max aperture for consistent exposure at any focal length