Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S
Announced January 8, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a compact, weather-sealed ultra-wide zoom that offers excellent sharpness and convenient 82mm filter compatibility for landscape photographers. Although its f/4 aperture and reliance on electronic distortion correction may deter some, it remains a highly portable and capable travel lens for the Z system.
Weighted from 27 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design with a retractable barrel for travel
- Supports standard 82mm screw-in filters without requiring bulky adapters
- Sharp optical performance with well-controlled flare and ghosting
- Quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Durable weather-sealed construction
Cons
- Heavy reliance on in-camera electronic distortion and vignetting correction
- Softness or reduced acuity in corners at certain focal lengths and apertures
- Maximum f/4 aperture limits low-light performance compared to f/2.8 alternatives
- Retractable design requires manual unlocking before use
- Lacks built-in optical image stabilization
- Launch price $1,299.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 14-30mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 28 cm (0.16x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 485g (1 lb 1.1 oz) · 89 x 85 mm (3.50 x 3.35 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 27 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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What’s not to like? Well, the price is on the high side but fair for an ultra-wide zoom lens.
- OpticalLimits 6/10
The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S delivers reasonable quality for a lens this wide but it's also not something to rave about either.
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For reasons that this review hopefully makes clear, the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens is one of the more controversial Z lenses to date.
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An advantage of choosing a wideangle zoom with a maximum aperture of f/4 as opposed to f/2.8 is that they’re typically smaller, lighter and more portable.
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My experience with wide angle zooms is that it is often the F4 variants that hit the “sweet spot” for many photographers.
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[T]his is probably the world's best ultra wide-angle zoom lens for landscape photography.
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Our overall assessment is positive because the Nikkor Z 14–30 mm f/4 S performs exactly as it should – in the 14-22 mm focal lenghts range you are able to take photographs which are sharp across the frame.
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There are a lot of options, and most of them are actually priced similarly to the Nikon 14-30mm, or even more affordably.
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[T]his is a superb ultra-wide-angle lens — and a clear example that not all high-end zooms need to be f/2.8.
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The recommendation I will give the 14-30mm f/4 is this: it's one of the three-lens set that those traveling with Z's looking for versatility probably should adopt (14-30mm f/4, 24-70mm f/4, and 70-300mm AF-P on the FTZ adapter).
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is the second Z series lens to be reviewed and it is another gem, without doubt a superb performer that handles really well.
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There’s a huge amount to like about the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens, and we can see it being extremely popular with Nikon Z owners.
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The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S is not the fastest lens, sure, but it's lightweight, small, gives super image quality, and is just the thing that may tempt new mirrorless users over to Nikon's side.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens captures epic wide-angle views with crisp details and minimal distortion.
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Great image quality, practically silent autofocus and a relatively compact design make this a winning option for Z-series users.
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In fact, there's hardly any negatives to say about this lens, and it's quite boring actually.
- Digital Trends 8/10
Like the small handful of Z lenses launched before it, the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is sharp and compact with a weather-sealed design.
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[F]or the price you pay and the results you can get from this amazing little lens, I would describe it as one of the best ultra wide angle zoom lenses on the market today.
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[T]his is a very good lens overall.
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640 ISO, 1/4 of a second, 19.5mm, I got to say I think this lens is pretty awesome for the price, size, weight.
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The 14-30mm has the best ultra-ultrawide optics I've ever tested in a small, lightweight package. I've never used a 14mm lens or zoom this sharp, or this small and light.
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It's a great lens, it's light, it's compact, it's easy to take with you, it takes a phenomenal picture.
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In terms of the lens, I thought the lens was absolutely superb, sharp throughout, but I'm gonna go into more detail and show some examples, and just a great little lens which felt like it was real quality.
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In fact, I borrowed this lens from Nikon, but Raymond and I are both seriously considering the investment. I keep forgetting that it's not ours.
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If you're looking for an incredible wide-angle lens for your Nikon Z system, this is it. You can't go wrong with this lens, pretty much.
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So on the widest and lowest aperture of the lot, there's a tiny, tiny bit of vignetting. It doesn't seem to be any warp, and it's sharp in the corners with the exception of 14mm at f/18.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S for the mirrorless Z mount is the best landscape photography lens I've ever used.
