Best Nikon Z lenses

At the end of 2018, Nikon joined Sony in the full-frame mirrorless market, soon followed by Canon and Panasonic, with the launch of the Z6 and Z7 and their new Z mount. If this mount is of interest to you, we wrote a complete article (updated regularly) listing all Nikon Z mount lenses. Nikon has made this mount a major part of its strategy, highlighting its very wide diameter and short flange distance as advantages for designing brighter, higher-quality lenses. To be honest, looking only at the first Z lenses, Nikon did not necessarily stand out for brightness or image quality in an obvious way. However, we have to admit that these lenses compete very well with equivalent options from other brands, and the Z system also makes it possible to adapt lenses from several other mounts, including Sony E lenses via dedicated adapters. In this article, I’ll talk about the Nikon Z lenses I consider the best.

But as with any mount, native lenses remain the best choice in many respects. Even if image quality can be preserved with adapted lenses, all electronically controlled features are generally better optimized with lenses designed specifically for the mount. As with E-mount or RF-mount, it is generally more interesting to invest in native Z mount lenses than to rely on F-mount lenses (Nikon’s DDSLR mount since 1959) with an adapter, even though Nikon quickly released one, just as Canon did for EF lenses.

Since the arrival of the Z mount, Nikon has greatly expanded its full-frame lens lineup. The pace is now close to what we have seen with Canon RF, and the range continues to grow. However, Nikon has chosen a slightly different strategy, with fewer very large-aperture lenses and more options that balance aperture, optical quality and practicality. For example, where Canon released a simple, lightweight and affordable 50mm f/1.8, similar in spirit to its DDSLR version, Nikon chose a larger, more expensive 50mm f/1.8 that delivers image quality closer to a high-end 50mm, such as Sigma’s 50mm f/1.4 Art for DDDSLRs. By the way, you can check out our detailed article on the current Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras. We update this article every time a new camera is released.

Below, I’ve listed the best Nikon Z mount lenses for full-frame cameras, organized by lens type. There are also dedicated lenses for Nikon APS-C Z bodies such as the Z50, Zfc and Z30, although many of them remain compact kit-style zooms rather than fast premium lenses.

It is possible that Nikon will continue producing lenses dedicated to APS-C Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, but full-frame lenses clearly remain the brand’s main focus. Just as they did for digital DDSLR cameras, I think they will mainly focus on lenses for Nikon Z full-frame cameras. If you’re wondering which Nikon camera to choose, by clicking on the previous link, you can check out our full guide on the brand’s full-frame cameras. We will update the article as soon as new cameras are released. As a reminder, the acronym “VR” indicates that the lens includes optical stabilization.

Below, I present the main wide-angle references, both zooms and primes, with focal lengths around 24mm or wider. The lenses are summarized in the table below.

The table below summarizes the main characteristics of these Nikon Z wide-angle lenses:

Visual

Lens

Features

Best price

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8

• Excellent image quality
• High-quality construction
• LCD monitor
• Compact lens
• Weather-sealed lens

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S

• Very good image quality
• Lightweight/compact lens
• Good alternative to f/2.8
• Price in the standard range
• Screw-in filters possible

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S

• Very good image quality
• Not stabilized
• High distortion
• Slower AF
• All-weather construction

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S

• High-end construction
• Sharpness behind at full aperture
• Significant distortion/vignetting
• Lighter/compact/20mm
• All-weather construction

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8

• Rugged construction
• Fast, reliable autofocus
• Excellent optical quality (slightly lacking at long focal lengths)
• Visible vignetting and distortion at 17mm

Amazon
B&H

So here are the best Nikon Z wide-angle lenses, in my opinion:

• Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
• Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S
• Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S
• Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S
• Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8

At the end of 2020, Nikon released the Z version of one of its most famous lenses: the 14-24mm f/2.8G. The new version differs significantly from its predecessor and clearly benefits from the new mount, especially in terms of weight, as the DDSLR version was close to one kilogram. It is an ideal lens for landscapes, architecture and other wide-angle scenes.

The build quality is excellent, as expected from an S-line lens, Nikon’s high-end category for the Z mount. The image quality is excellent and, although the ends of the zoom are not as good as the focal lengths in the middle of the zoom, it remains a very consistent lens across the range. Vignetting is significant and requires correction, while distortion may appear almost nonexistent (Nikon applies a correction on the raw files, you’ll need a software unable to identify them to notice the defects). The AF reaches a high level and will be limited only by the camera, for the moment.

As a high-end lens, the price is around €2,600. Although this seems high, it is the price of the classic focal length, like the 16-35mm from Sony or the 15-35mm from Canon. So the real question is not whether Nikon is more or less expensive than the others, but whether your own use justifies such an investment. You should know that for the moment, it is the lens (with the f/4 version) that has the widest angle of view.

In mid-2020, Nikon announced a rather atypical ultra-wide-angle zoom lens. Nikon had previously offered a 16-35mm f/4 for DDDSLRs, similar to Canon’s DDSLR option and Sony’s mirrorless equivalent. Here, however, Nikon chose to shift the range toward wider focal lengths with this 14-30mm f/4 (which makes sense if we consider that standard zooms often start at 24mm). Regarding use, this wide-angle zoom will be, like the f/2.8 version, adapted for wide shots.

It remains an S-line lens with very good build quality, even if we will skip the digital display present on the 14-24mm f/2.8, and a good level of image quality even if it would be better to close the diaphragm a stop with the “longer” focal lengths a little further back. However, we reach a very nice homogeneity at medium aperture at all focal lengths. Distortion and vignetting are very important, even if Nikon corrects the distortion on the raw files. This misled many testers like Les Numériques (a French website!), convinced that there was no distortion when optically it is worse than on the DDSLR versions. The AF is also very fast, accurate and silent.

At around €1,250, it costs less than half the price of the 14-24mm f/2.8, and the compromise on the maximum aperture is partially compensated by a larger focal length and an even smaller weight, even if we will not get the same level of quality.

At the beginning of 2020, Nikon released this 20mm f/1.8 S, its widest native prime at the time. The DDSLR version was quite successful, especially considering the fact that at focal lengths below 24mm, it is rare to find lenses opening more than f/2 with autofocus.

Build quality is very good, and image quality is already strong and fairly consistent, even though performance is a little weaker at the widest apertures. If the chromatic aberrations are better corrected than on the DDSLR version, the distortion is higher. But once again, Nikon relies on software corrections directly on the raw files, just like for vignetting which is also very important. The AF is not the fastest, but is largely sufficient for most uses of this type of lens.

At around €1,050, the price is fairly reasonable, although the DDSLR version was a bit cheaper when it came out. It is also heavier and bulkier than the DDSLR version or the Sony competitor, but still a good choice for a Nikon Z range.

At the end of 2019, Nikon released the 24mm f/1.8 S, which was the widest Z mount prime until the 20mm arrived. Nikon offered some very nice 24mm DDSLR references with the f/1.4G and the highly regarded f/1.8G, so it made sense for Nikon to quickly offer a 24mm in Z mount.

Build quality is excellent, as with the other S-line lenses, and image quality is also very strong even if, here again, we can notice a clear drop at large apertures and a less remarkable homogeneity than the 20mm or the 14-24mm. Again, taking into account software corrections, distortion and vignetting are even more important than on the DDSLR version. The AF still seems a bit more hesitant and a bit more audible than the 20mm, but this is still very acceptable.

Priced slightly above €1,000, it remains in the same range as the 20mm, so you’ll have to decide if the difference in focal length is important enough to choose one or the other. The 24mm is however a bit lighter and more compact.

In 2022, Nikon released the 17-28mm f/2.8 Z, a lens very similar to Tamron’s version, which is not surprising given the close relationship between the two brands. As for the lens itself, it is solidly built and its autofocus is fast and reliable. We also note that the optical quality is excellent, even if it is a bit lacking in the long focal lengths.

In terms of optical flaws, vignetting and distortion are visible, especially at 17mm. On the other hand, chromatic aberrations and flare are very well controlled (this is a very good point, as it is rather rare in this type of lens).

In short, this Nikon version is more solidly built, while the Tamron version remains more affordable where available. Moreover, if we compare it to the 14-30mm f/4 S, which costs about the same, the latter offers a wider focal range while being more compact. In my opinion, if the f/2.8 aperture is not a priority for you, it is better to go for the Nikon 14-30mm f/4.

Below are some of the key characteristics of the Nikon Z wide-angle lenses discussed above.

At the end of 2021, Nikon released the “classic” version of a lens first launched alongside the Nikon Zfc, the 28mm f/2.8. The version released as a kit with the Zfc has a more vintage design, marked “SE”, but it costs 340€ while the classic version costs 280€. Apart from the design, the lenses are optically identical, so there will be very few reasons to spend 60€ more (probably the reason why Nikon launched the SE version several months before). The image quality is not top of the line, but that’s the price to pay for having a light and compact lens (160g and 43mm long only).

If you want to go further, I invite you to read our comprehensive article about the best Nikon Z mount wide-angle lenses. We list all wide-angle lenses, both for full-frame and APS-C cameras, that we consider the most interesting.

These are lenses covering standard focal lengths, roughly between 24mm and 200mm. The category includes both zooms and primes, with a wide range of maximum apertures. They are summarized in the table below.

Here’s what you should know about the best Nikon Z standard lenses:

Visual

Lens

Features

Best price

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

• High-quality construction
• Numerous comfort options
• Outstanding image quality
• High distortion/Vignetting

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S

• High-quality construction
• No buttons/digital display
• Very good image quality
• Very good price/performance ratio

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

• Highly versatile lens
• High-quality construction
• Great image quality
• Good value for money

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

• Very large aperture
• High-quality construction
• Strong vignetting
• Excellent image quality

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S

• Excellent construction
• Strong vignetting
• Fast/quiet AF
• Average price/performance ratio

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S

• Very good construction
• Fast/quiet AF
• Superb image quality
• Average price/performance ratio

Amazon
B&H

So here are the best standard Nikon Z lenses, in my opinion.

• Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
• Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S
• Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
• Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S
• Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S
• Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S

In mid-2019, Nikon introduced its professional standard zoom, the 24-70mm f/2.8 S. Nikon’s DDSLR versions had often struggled to stand out, mainly due to the performance of Canon’s excellent L II version.

Build quality is high-end, with a digital display and shortcut buttons on the barrel. The image quality is very high at all focal lengths and apertures, even if the full aperture is slightly behind. Distortion and vignetting are, again, significant but well corrected. The AF is relatively fast and quiet.

At around €2,250, this is a high-end lens that is slightly less expensive than competing Sony or Canon options, although we remain at a very high price. Especially since the Z mount competition is more and more difficult, even if this competition comes from Nikon itself with the following lenses.

Alongside the first Z mount mirrorless cameras in 2018, Nikon announced this 24-70mm f/4 S as its first standard zoom. This is a surprising choice considering that in DDSLR, Canon offered such a zoom lens but not Nikon! Ironically, Canon later launched RF without an equivalent compact 24-70mm f/4.

Build quality is high-end, even though it lacks the digital display and buttons of the f/2.8 version. The design is similar to the 14-30mm f/4. The image quality is, again, not as good as the f/2.8 version (you have to justify the price), but it remains good despite weaker performance wide open and imperfect consistency across the frame. Again, Nikon relies on software corrections since distortion and vignetting are quite important. The AF can be very reactive at short focal lengths but a little less at long focal lengths, and still remains silent in all circumstances.

For under €1,000, Nikon offers a very interesting zoom, even if it can be sold in kit with some cameras, reducing its price even more. It will be an excellent choice in kit, less so if you buy it alone.

In October 2021, Nikon announced the 24-120mm f/4. If Nikon did not offer a 24-70 with this aperture, there was a 24-120mm in DDSLR. Nikon chose to stay in this range rather than follow the 24-105 from Sony and Canon. The DDSLR version was appreciated, but it was clearly starting to show its age.

As an S-line lens, it offers very high build quality and strong image performance, even if we can notice some weaknesses at the largest aperture, especially at the longest focal lengths. Distortion and vignetting are once again relatively important but always well corrected. The AF is quite responsive and quiet.

Released at around €1,250, it can be more interesting than the 24-70mm f/4 if you didn’t have the good idea to purchase it as a kit with your camera. Given its focal length and maximum aperture, it’s a pretty good price compared to the competitor’s 24-105mm (the Sony costs as much today, but was released at a higher price). For photographers looking for a versatile zoom lens, for travel, for example, this is ideal.

In 2021, Nikon finally joined the manufacturers offering a 50mm lens with both an f/1.2 aperture and autofocus. In DDSLR version, Nikon offered an old version from the days of film with manual focus, but they never followed Canon on a “modern” version. That gap is now filled. If you want to take portrait photos, details, everyday life, then this lens is for you and will allow for a very shallow depth of field, highlighting your subjects perfectly compared to your background. It will also be a great help in low light conditions.

Its design is high-end with a digital display. This is one of Nikon’s most ambitious standard primes. The image quality is very good, even if the largest apertures are behind. The distortion is quite easy to manage on a 50mm, this one is no exception, but we note an extremely important vignetting. The AF obviously has a little trouble moving so many lenses, but at least there is an AF, and a quiet one at that!

The €2,300 price tag can discourage some photographers, but it is also the price of the Sony GM, and slightly less than the Canon RF. On the other hand, it is also the biggest and heaviest of the group. Fortunately, Nikon offers an excellent f/1.8 version which we will see in more detail soon.

The 35mm f/1.8 S was one of the lenses released alongside the first Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. As a classic reportage focal length, all brands manufacturing full-frame lenses have to offer quickly at least one 35mm (In the Sony range, there are 13 of them, without counting those with manual focus!)

Like all f/1.8 fixed lenses in Z mount, the construction is excellent. The image quality is very good, although the large apertures are behind. Distortion is fairly moderate but still present (it is not difficult for a 35mm). The vignetting is important. The AF is relatively fast and quiet.

At around €800, this 35mm f/1.8 does not seem like the best value to me, compared to the competition, even if in general this type of focal length/aperture combo is found on “mid-range” lenses. As a result, it is relatively bulky compared to the 35mm f/1.8 from Canon and Sony.

In 2019, Nikon released this 50mm f/1.8 as a more premium take on the classic 50mm f/1.8. As a result, it is larger, heavier and more expensive than the DDSLR versions we were used to.

Build quality and image quality are both excellent, with still a slight loss at large apertures, but we can applaud Nikon’s efforts to release a 50mm capable of competing with the f/1.4 Art that Sigma offered for DDSLR. This 50mm f/1.8 is clearly of a different level than the previous f/1.8G and f/1.4G. The distortion is absent, as on the 50mm f/1.2 but, like the f/1.2, we face a significant vignetting, although it is still well corrected by software. The AF is, as for the 35mm, relatively fast and quiet.

At around €600, it is much more expensive than the €200 entry-level 50mm f/1.8 lenses we were used to for an entry-level 50mm f/1.8, as well as the 415g instead of the 150-200g of the DDSLR versions. But we have high-end performances, and compared to the 2300€ of the f/1.2, it seems almost cheap, ahah.

Here are the summarized physical characteristics of the Nikon Z standard lenses mentioned above.

Nikon offers other standard lenses in its Z range, such as the 24-50mm f/4-6.3 offered in kit or sold separately for less than 500€. At this price, you might as well buy the body as a kit with the 24-70mm f/4, because it’s not the kind of lens that’s relevant when you buy a full-frame camera. Nikon also offers a 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, a versatile zoom for travel, but at 1000€, I think there are more relevant lenses for this format. Or, if you’re going to use lenses like this, you might as well get a camera with a smaller sensor. At the end of 2021, Nikon also announced a 28-75mm f/2.8 that appears closely related to the Tamron version available for Sony E-mount. At 1050€, this is a more coherent lens in this format, especially since the lens is very light. Let’s wait and see how it performs.

As for prime lenses, Nikon also offers a light and compact 40mm f/2 for 280€, an excellent choice for street photography for example. There is also a 50mm f/2.8 macro with the same qualities as the 40mm, and a very good image quality, for 600€. This one will be more interesting than the 40mm if you have a real macro use case. To showcase what the Z mount can make possible (even if we can doubt it a little), Nikon has released an extremely big, heavy and expensive (9000€) 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, which offers an outstanding optical quality but no autofocus. If you want to take pictures with a beautiful bokeh, outstanding blurs and you have almost 10000€ to spend, don’t hesitate, haha!

You will find below the telephoto lenses currently available for this Z mount. I’m talking about the focal lengths above 85mm. Here is a summary of the main characteristics of these lenses. Also, I go into more detail about the best Nikon Z telephoto lenses on this page.

Here’s what you should know about the best Nikon Z telephoto lenses, summarized in the table below:

Visual

Lens

Features

Best price

Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S VR

• Excellent construction
• Very good image quality
• Strong vignetting at full aperture
• Very fast AF
• Standard price

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

• High-end lens
• Outstanding image quality
• Significant vignetting
• Decent AF quality
• Price consistent with the range

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S

• Smooth, natural bokeh
• Excellent optical quality
• Fast, high-performance AF
• Space-saving optics

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

• Excellent image quality
• S Range construction
• Fast/quiet AF
• Few optical defects
• Interesting optics

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

• Very good construction
• Lens designed for macro
• Outstanding image quality
• Strong vignetting
• Excellent choice for macro

Amazon
B&H

Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Z

• Versatile zoom lens
• Efficient optical stabilization
• Rugged, weather-sealed construction
• Fast, efficient AF

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

• Versatile zoom lens
• Efficient stabilization (5.5 stops)
• Fast, efficient AF
• Internal zoom for easier handling

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

• Nikon's excellence
• Adapted for wildlife/sport
• Built-in teleconverter
• Outstanding image quality
• Very high price

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

• Interesting alternative to f/2.8
• Compact/lightweight lens
• Compatible with Extender
• Outstanding image quality
• High-end construction

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

• Very high price
• Top image quality
• Excellent construction
• Compact/lightweight lens
• Fast AF

Amazon
B&H

Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

• High price
• Outstanding quality
• Ideal for wildlife/sports
• Lightweight lens
• Medium aperture

Amazon
B&H

Here are, in my opinion, the best Nikon Z telephoto lenses currently available:

• Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S VR
• Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
• Nikon Z 85mm f/1.2 S
• Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S VR
• Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 S VR macro
• Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Z
• Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
• Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 S TC VR
• Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 S VR
• Nikon Z 600mm f/4 S TC VR
• Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 S VR

In early 2020, Nikon released its 70-200mm f/2.8, a full-frame staple and one of the three must-have zooms along with the 14-24mm and 24-70mm f/2.8, all three with constant aperture. Nikon did not adopt Canon RF’s extending design, and now that Sony has renewed its GM by drastically reducing its weight, the Nikon is by far the heaviest of the 3 brands.

Like the 14-24mm and 24-70mm f/2.8, it features high-end construction with distance display and customization buttons on the barrel. The image quality is very high at all focal lengths and apertures, since even if it decreases as we approach the longest focal length, we remain at a high level. The distortion is not very important and the vignetting, strong at full aperture, decreases very quickly by closing the diaphragm (guess what? It is corrected by software!). The AF is very reactive, as you would expect from a 70-200mm designed for sports, and very quiet.

At around €2,800, the price is typical for this kind of zoom (the Sony GM costs 3000€, the Canon RF 2850€ and the Panasonic S 2800€). It should not disappoint you if you choose it.
Its price may seem very high, but it is at the moment the only choice in this range.

At the end of 2019, Nikon released the 85mm f/1.8 S, a popular focal length for portrait photographers that works very well with the 35mm f/1.8 from the same range. The 85mm f/1.8G for DDSLR is a very famous lens despite its chromatic aberrations, delivering a quality close to the f/1.4G version which is much more expensive.

Build quality is once again worthy of the S line, and the image quality is excellent from full aperture. The distortion is moderate, which is normal for an 85mm, and the vignetting is important but… corrected! Chromatic aberrations are, on the other hand, much better managed than with the old DDSLR version. The AF is relatively fast and quite quiet.

For 800€, the price is consistent with the range. It will work quite well with the 35mm and will form a very suitable combo for many situations.

The NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S, introduced in February 2023, is a high-end prime lens for the Z mount. Among its main strengths are its bokeh management and excellent optical quality. In fact, the lens offers soft and natural bokeh thanks to its f/1.2 aperture and 11-blade diaphragm.

In terms of optical formula, the lens incorporates 15 elements in 10 groups, including 2 aspherical lenses and 1 ED glass element. Its focusing distance is standard for this type of focal length: 85 cm. Its very large aperture allows a very shallow depth of field. Its fast and efficient autofocus compensates for this very shallow depth of field. Moreover, thanks to the reduction of focus breathing, it is well suited for video. The only drawback is that the lens is quite bulky. This makes it difficult to transport for long photo or video sessions.

In conclusion, the NIKKOR Z 85 mm f/1.2 S is a high-quality lens that is suitable for both still and video photography. The only drawback is that it is not so easy to transport. However, if you are looking for a high-performance lens for portrait photography in particular, I am sure you will be more than satisfied with it!

In December 2021, Nikon released its first long telephoto zoom for Z mount, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S VR. Nikon chose a range similar to Sony’s and its 100-400mm GM when Canon preferred to release a zoom with more focal lengths but a smaller aperture with the 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L.

As expected from the S line, build quality is excellent, which is exactly what you would expect from a lens designed for field use. The image quality is very good at all focal lengths and apertures. Optical defects are relatively rare on this kind of lens, even if we can see a little vignetting at full aperture. The AF is fast and quiet, which is also expected on this type of lens designed in particular for sports and wildlife.

At around €3,000, it sits in the same price range as Sony’s 100-400mm GM or Canon’s 100-500mm L, making it a fairly typical high-end mirrorless telephoto option. It is no longer the only native option beyond 200mm, but it remains one of Nikon’s strongest high-end choices for wildlife and sports.

In mid-2021, Nikon released the mirrorless version of its 105mm macro. The DDSLR version was very successful and overall, Nikon has always mastered macro lens design quite well.

Build quality and image quality are excellent, useful from full aperture with very good homogeneity and non-existent chromatic aberrations. Distortion is unnoticeable but vignetting is significant, a characteristic that is decidedly common on Nikon Z lenses. Indeed, the brand continues to rely on software corrections to focus on other defects such as chromatic aberrations or sharpness.

At around €1,100, this 105mm macro is an excellent choice with an almost irreproachable image quality, stabilization and digital display. The Sigma Art mirrorless version, found in E & L-mounts, manages to do slightly better, but the lack of stabilization and focus distance/magnification ratio indicator are often pointed out, so the Nikon won’t have to suffer these criticisms. If you want to know more about this lens, I encourage you to read our full guide on the best current Nikon Z macro lenses.

Originally released in 2021, the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a well-regarded telephoto zoom that is now also available for Nikon Z. It is now one of the strongest third-party telephoto alternatives for the Z mount.

Its optical formula is based on 25 elements in 16 groups, including XLD and LD glass. We also note that its maximum aperture remains average from f/5 to f/6.7, but it is partly compensated for by its optical stabilization system (VC) adapted to long focal lengths. In terms of handling, it remains quite compact for its category. It is also weather-sealed and solid.

It also has several physical controls, such as an AF/MF switch and a focus limiter. In addition to these features, it has a fast and efficient autofocus. In terms of use, it is suitable for both wildlife and sports photography.

All in all, the Tamron 150-500 mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a good alternative to the Nikon 100-400 mm. It has almost the same characteristics, but at a lower price! In fact, I bought it for my Sony and I’m happy with it!

Announced in June 2023, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is a versatile and powerful telephoto zoom. In a way, it can be seen as the mirrorless successor to the AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, but with a wider zoom range.

Its optical formula consists of 25 elements in 17 groups, including six ED lenses. Its autofocus is fast and efficient, while its built-in image stabilization offers a gain of up to 5.5 stops. Its dimensions and weight make it fairly large and heavy, but still manageable. It has an internal zoom to better distribute its weight. In the field, it is particularly well suited to distant subjects, thanks to its maximum magnification of 0.25x.

In short, this lens is in direct competition with models like the Sony FE 200-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS. However, it has the advantage of offering excellent value for money! It’s always worth considering!

At the beginning of 2022, Nikon released its first large-aperture super-telephoto prime for Z mount, the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 S TC VR. Obviously, considering the focal length and its very large aperture, this is a very high-end stabilized lens.

It includes a built-in teleconverter that lets you reach the equivalent of a 560mm f/4 lens. This lens will be ideal for all distant subjects, both for wildlife and sports. Although it is much heavier than the f/4.5 version, it remains reasonably manageable for this category at under 3 kg. It is also possible to place filters on the rear.

Its build quality is worthy of Nikon’s highest-end S-line lenses. The autofocus system uses Nikon’s Silky Swift VCM motor and delivers extremely high performance. Its image quality is obviously incredible and we would expect no less for this price. The very large aperture makes it more comfortable to shoot in low light and helps create beautiful background blur.

In the end, Nikon offers here an excellent product for professional photographers or amateurs who want to treat themselves.

After the very high-end f/2.8 version released earlier in 2022, Nikon announced a “more affordable” 400mm option with the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 S VR. Of course, this is still a very high-end lens, but since it is much less bright, the costs have been reduced to offer a lens around €3,700.

The build quality is as good as any Nikon S series lens. The lens is very compact and lightweight, weighing just over 1 kg. Note that the lens is compatible with the Z TC-1.4x, and Z TC-2.0x teleconverters. The autofocus is said to be excellent as well.

The main advantage of this lens is that it offers a relatively bright 400mm focal length in a compact, lightweight package.

It remains far more affordable than the f/2.8 version, which is aimed much more clearly at professionals given its price. It is a real success from Nikon. Now we just have to wait and see whether other brands follow the same path.

After the two 400mm lenses released in 2022, Nikon introduced another exceptional lens at the end of the year, both in terms of quality and price. This Nikon Z 600mm f/4 S TC VR includes, like the 400mm f/2.8, a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, giving you an 840mm f/5.6 equivalent. This is Nikon at its most ambitious: extremely high-end, with a price that is just as impressive.

Of course, the build quality of this lens and its image quality are remarkable and that is exactly what you would expect from a lens of this kind, mainly dedicated to professional photographers, especially for wildlife and sports photography.

The lens remains fairly compact and light for a 600mm, weighing in at just over 3kg. The AF is obviously exceptional, being the same as the 400mm f/2.8.

If you are looking for a dream lens and are willing to spend the price of a small car, this is the kind of product Nikon has built for you!

In the middle of 2022, Nikon finally released a very long focal length, the longest so far for its full-frame Nikon Z cameras, this 800mm f/6.3. This lens, designed for sports photography (plane, motor sports, winter) or wildlife photography (birds, far away animals) uses Fresnel lenses to reduce the overall weight and offers an impressive compactness to this lens, with less than 2.5kg.

The build quality of this lens is obviously extraordinary with an LCD control screen and a slot to insert filters. The image quality is outstanding at full aperture, which is lucky considering the limited aperture of the lens. The autofocus is said to be excellent as well.

Given the long focal length and the quality provided, the price might have been expected to be much higher. Although announced at over 7000€, you have here a very high quality lens!

The table below summarizes the main physical characteristics of the Nikon Z telephoto lenses mentioned above.

We have reached the end of this article about the best current Nikon Z lenses. Choosing a lens has never been easy, and brands keep adding more and more options to the market. Nikon’s Z lineup has grown significantly since 2018, although a few gaps still remain depending on the type of photography. This was especially true for long lenses at first, but Nikon has since filled several of those gaps, notably with the 180-600mm and several high-end super-telephoto primes. Some gaps remain, but Nikon has also added important fast primes since the early days of the system. If you want to see what other brands are offering, I invite you to check our article about the best current Canon RF lenses.

There is no doubt that Nikon, now fully focused on the Z mount just as Canon is on the RF mount, will continue to expand its lens range. If you have decided to move to Nikon Z mirrorless cameras and do not already own a large F-mount collection, I would clearly recommend starting directly with native Z lenses.

I hope this article has helped point you in the right direction. As always, the best choice depends on your use, your needs and your budget. The Nikon Z lineup has now grown enough to justify more detailed guides by focal length and use, and I will keep updating these articles as Nikon and third-party brands continue to release new lenses.

Of course, I will update this article when other important Nikon Z lenses are released!

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!