Best Nikon Z pancake lenses

Here I am again, back with another article on Nikon Z-mount lenses. You can find all the Nikon and third-party lenses currently available for this mount through the link below.

I’ve already covered the best Nikon Z wide-angle lenses, as well as the best standard lenses for this mount, and now I’m taking a closer look at the best pancake lenses for Nikon Z.

In this article, you’ll find a complete list of Z-mount pancake lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras. These lenses are compact and easy to carry, while still delivering good image quality. In other words, they’re perfect if you want to travel light.

Here are the six best Nikon Z pancake lenses for full-frame cameras:

• Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8
• Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 (and SE)
• Nikon Z 40mm f/2 (and SE)
• 7Artisans 35mm f/5.6 Pancake Z
• TTArtisan 50mm f/2 Z
• 7Artisans 18mm f/5.6

The table below summarizes the main features of these lenses.

Introduced in February 2023, the Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 is a standard pancake lens for the Z full-frame mirrorless system. It is an extremely compact and lightweight f/2.8 lens, weighing just 125g, plus 14g for the hood. The Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 sits between the larger, much more expensive Z 24mm f/1.8 S and the smaller, more affordable Z 28mm f/2.8. At 70 x 23.5mm, it is very easy to take with you and balances beautifully on Nikon Z bodies.

There is no filter thread on the lens itself, but the supplied HB-111 lens hood has a 52mm thread. Although there is no AF/MF switch, the Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 uses an internal focusing autofocus design. This means the front element does not rotate while focusing. It is sealed against dust and moisture. Other construction specifications include 8 elements in 6 groups, with three aspherical elements to help reduce aberrations and distortion. The minimum focusing distance is 0.2m, which allows for close-up shots. There is no optical image stabilization, and the aperture range runs from f/2.8 to f/16.

In terms of image quality, the Z 26mm performs better than its 28mm and 40mm siblings. It offers the widest angle of view in this small Nikon trio, making it well suited to sweeping landscapes and street scenes. Sharpness is excellent throughout the frame, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. The center is especially sharp, and the corners remain very respectable for such a compact wide-angle lens. Chromatic aberration and other optical flaws are also well controlled. The lens can show some spherical aberration on high-contrast subjects, but stopping down helps reduce it.

The Z 26mm f/2.8 is an impressively compact prime lens that never gets in the way when shooting on location. Thanks to its small size, light weight, and good optical performance, it is a great lens for everyday use.

Released in June 2021, the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8 SE are slim, lightweight primes positioned between the Z 24mm f/1.8 and Z 35mm f/1.8 in the Nikkor S line. They are among Nikon’s smallest and lightest Z lenses. At around 160g, they offer a classic wide-angle field of view. The modest f/2.8 aperture is part of the compromise that keeps the lens so compact.

The 28mm lens has a 52mm filter thread. Full-time manual focus override is available if the autofocus struggles or if you prefer to focus manually. Build quality is good, though not quite at the same level as the 26mm, partly because of the plastic lens mount. The lens has a weather-sealed mount, a minimum focusing distance of 0.19m, and a 7-blade rounded aperture, with an aperture range from f/2.8 to f/16. The SE version is mainly a cosmetic Special Edition, with the same optical design as the standard 28mm. Neither version features optical image stabilization, so they rely on in-body stabilization when used with a compatible Nikon Z camera.

In terms of image quality, the lens delivers very good sharpness across the frame for such a small prime, with its best results around f/5.6. Chromatic aberration and other optical flaws are well controlled. Performance improves slightly when stopped down, but it is already convincing wide open. Bokeh is pleasant, vignetting is reasonably well controlled, and there is some barrel distortion.
The 28mm f/2.8 offers a classic field of view, right in that useful space between wide and standard.

Compared to the 26mm, it gives up a little angle of view, but remains a very practical everyday lens. The close-up range is slightly better. The SE (Special Edition) version adds a silver ring and subtle cosmetic changes, but optically it is identical.

The Nikon Z 40mm f/2 and its Special Edition version, available since September 2021, are versatile pancake-style lenses for everyday photography. They sit between the Z 50mm f/1.8 and the Z 35mm f/1.8 in the Nikkor S line. This lens is cheaper than both, while still giving you a natural-looking perspective for close-ups and portraits, like a 50mm, and a wider feel for street or indoor photography, closer to a 35mm. Its fast f/2 maximum aperture also helps in low light and gives you more control over depth of field.

The 40mm lens uses a standard 52mm filter. There is no AF/MF switch, but you can use the manual focus ring to take over if the autofocus is not ideal. The plastic lens mount is a disappointment compared with the 26mm, but the lens still feels solid and is designed to resist dust and moisture. The stepping motor autofocus system provides smooth, quiet focusing for stills and video. The minimum focusing distance is 0.29m.

The optical design is simple: 6 elements in 4 groups, including 2 aspherical elements. For a mid-range lens, the 40mm delivers good sharpness across the frame even at maximum aperture, with plenty of detail from edge to edge. Center sharpness is excellent even wide open at f/2, and only improves slightly when stopped down. There is a little vignetting, but distortion is very well controlled. Thanks to the rounded 9-blade aperture, bokeh quality is also quite pleasant.

Overall, as a standard lens for Nikon Z cameras, the 40mm f/2 pancake prime offers an excellent balance of size, speed, and optical quality. Compared with the wider Nikon Z pancake lenses, it offers the largest aperture at f/2, which allows for shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

The 7Artisans 35mm f/5.6 Pancake Z works well with full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras. In the Nikon Z lineup, it sits firmly at the ultra-compact, budget-friendly end of the range.

The lens has a 52mm filter thread and no AF/MF switch. Build quality feels solid for the price, though not quite as robust as Nikon’s weather-sealed options. With an all-metal construction that keeps the weight under 155g, it is incredibly small at just 66 x 26mm. This is a manual-focus lens, with a long-throw focusing ring and hard stops. The minimum focusing distance is 0.3m, and the aperture range runs from f/5.6 to f/16. There is no image stabilization.

When it comes to image quality, this pancake lens is at its best around f/8, with softer results wide open at f/5.6. Center sharpness is decent, but the edges and corners lag behind. Vignetting and fringing are also visible. Still, with its 35mm perspective, it can produce pleasing images when stopped down. For photographers on a budget, it is a distinctive little manual lens.

The 7Artisans 35mm sacrifices autofocus and comes with a more limited aperture, which means slower shutter speeds and more reliance on available light. Even so, it remains a compact and affordable lens for everyday photography.

The TTArtisan 50mm f/2 Z gives Nikon Z shooters a compact prime lens option at an affordable price, weighing just over 200g and measuring 60 x 35mm. In terms of image quality, it sits just below the 7Artisans 35mm f/5.6 Pancake Z.

This 50mm lens uses a 43mm filter and is manual focus only. Without breaking the bank, it offers a classic standard perspective in a metal body. Although the lens is not weather sealed, build quality is reassuring for the price.

Optically, the 50mm f/2 is a little soft wide open at f/2, but sharpens up when stopped down. It reaches its best level around f/5.6 to f/8. Distortion is also very low, which is respectable performance for the price. However, more expensive branded 50mm primes will still offer better resolution.

With its small form factor and wallet-friendly price, the TTArtisan 50mm f/2 offers a handy walkaround focal length. For full-frame Nikon Z shooters on a tight budget, it is a decent starter prime.

Recently released, the 7Artisans 18mm f/5.6 has established itself as an ultra-wide-angle lens for Nikon Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. Its low-light performance is limited, but the fixed f/5.6 aperture gives you plenty of depth of field. Thanks to its small size and low weight, it is a very compact lens that is easy to carry with you.

The lens is built with 7 elements in 5 groups, including two low-dispersion glass elements and one high-refractive element to help control chromatic aberration and improve sharpness. With a minimum focusing distance of 30 cm, this is a fully manual lens. One of its strengths is its 98.7° angle of view, which gives you a wide perspective. That makes it well suited to landscapes, architecture, and even wide street photography shots.

Finally, the 7Artisans 18mm f/5.6 is so compact that you can take it almost anywhere. Its pancake format makes it a strong choice for travel and street photography, as mentioned above. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to bulky ultra-wide-angle lenses, this is a lens worth considering.

The table below summarizes the main characteristics of the Nikon Z pancake lenses mentioned above:

These are the best pancake lenses currently available for APS-C Nikon Z cameras:

• Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7
• TTArtisan 25mm f/2 Z
• TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 Z
• Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Z
• 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II Z

The table below summarizes the main features of these lenses.

Released in 2023, the Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7 is one of the fastest compact lenses for Nikon’s Z-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. When stopped down, it delivers even sharper, higher-quality images.

The 24mm lens accepts a 46mm filter. It has a lightweight construction with dust- and drip-resistant sealing. Autofocus is fast and quiet thanks to a stepping motor system, with smooth control for video. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.18m and an aperture range from f/1.7 to f/11, but there is no optical stabilization.

In terms of image quality, the 24mm f/1.7 uses 9 elements in 8 groups, including 2 aspherical elements to control aberrations. Sharpness is excellent even at f/1.7, with strong detail throughout the frame. Wide-open vignetting is well controlled, and distortion remains limited. The wide f/1.7 aperture also produces pleasing background blur.

By APS-C standards, this is a very appealing compact prime. For landscapes, street photography, and portraits in available light, it makes a practical walkaround lens. The 24mm focal length also makes it a useful vlogging or video lens when used with Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless cameras.

Designed for Nikon APS-C Z-mount mirrorless cameras, the TTArtisan 25mm f/2 offers a fast maximum aperture in a compact, lightweight design. It sits between the 7Artisans 35mm f/5.6 Pancake Z and the Nikon DX 24mm, with a shallower depth of field and a wider angle of view.

It has an aluminum body and weighs 175g. It accepts a 43mm filter, but lacks Nikon Z refinements such as autofocus. It is neither weatherproof nor optically stabilized, but its small size makes it ideal for travel. The minimum focusing distance is 0.25m, which is useful for close-ups.

In terms of image quality, the 25mm f/2 shows some softness wide open at f/2, but improves when stopped down, with decent sharpness at f/5.6. Bokeh remains smooth and even. Vignetting is also visible at wider apertures. It also gives you good low-light potential and the option to create blurred backgrounds.

For beginners who want to experiment with a prime lens perspective on DX cameras without spending too much, the TTArtisan 25mm f/2 Z offers compactness and affordability.

The TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 Z is one of the lightest pancake lenses for DX-format Nikon Z cameras, at a price comparable to the 25mm. It has no weather sealing, but it does offer autofocus.

With its aluminum alloy body, it stays compact while still featuring 6 elements in 5 groups and a 39mm filter thread. Along with manual override, the lens uses a stepping motor for fast, quiet focusing. The minimum focusing distance is 0.35m, and the aperture ranges from f/2.8 to f/16.

Image sharpness is good in the center, even at f/2.8, but tends to soften toward the edges. The corners are sharpest when stopped down. Chromatic aberration is minimal, though vignetting is noticeable.

The 27mm delivers good image quality and solid performance. Within its limits, it is a practical choice for occasional use.

Weighing just 130g, the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Z is a tiny prime lens with a dramatic perspective, equivalent to roughly 15mm on a full-frame camera.

The lens has a 37mm filter thread, and manual focus is smooth and precise. Build quality is compact yet solid. The minimum focusing distance is 0.1m, and the aperture ranges from f/4 to f/22.

Images are a little soft at the edges, but center sharpness is decent. Vignetting is noticeable at f/4, but improves when stopped down. From f/5.6 to f/8, sharpness is decent throughout the frame. Distortion is also well controlled despite the extreme angle of view, although chromatic aberration and distortion can still appear.

Although it is not without optical flaws, the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie is an affordable option for experimenting with ultra-wide-angle photography on a budget.

The 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II Z offers a pancake-style option for APS-C Nikon Z cameras, at a price comparable to the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 Z and TTArtisan 25mm f/2 Z.

It is an upgrade over the Mark I, with better build quality and coatings for improved contrast and flare control. It does not support filters, stabilization, or autofocus. There is no weather sealing, but the all-metal body feels solid and weighs only 58g. The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm, with a fixed f/6.3 aperture.

In terms of image quality, the 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II Z delivers relatively soft sharpness at its fixed f/6.3 aperture. Center detail is decent, but the corners and edges lag behind.

For Nikon DX-format shooters looking for an inexpensive, tiny wide-angle prime that fits in a pocket, the 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 Mark II offers simplicity in a slim format well suited to casual walkaround shooting.

The following table summarizes the main characteristics of the lenses presented above:

This short article on the best pancake lenses for the Nikon Z mount, for both full-frame and APS-C Nikon cameras, has come to an end.

You should now have a clearer idea of which lens might suit your needs. And if you’re interested in other focal lengths, feel free to check out our article on the best Nikon Z telephoto lenses.

See you soon for another article!

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!