Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S
Announced August 23, 2018
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 24-70mm f/4 S is a compact, sharp zoom lens that serves as a highly portable companion for the Z-mount mirrorless system. While its f/4 aperture may lack the speed of professional-grade alternatives, the lens delivers impressive optical performance and weather sealing in a lightweight, affordable package.
Weighted from 23 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and contrast
- Compact and lightweight design
- Robust weather-sealed build quality
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
- Effective flare and aberration control
Cons
- Visible vignetting and distortion in uncorrected files
- Retractable barrel design can be cumbersome
- High price point when not bundled
- Softness at the longer 70mm focal length
- Lack of built-in image stabilization
- Launch price $999.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 24-70mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 30 cm (0.3x)
- Filter thread 72mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 500g (1 lb 1.6 oz) · 77.5 x 88.5 mm (3.05 x 3.48 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 23 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Nikon Z 24-70mm f4S is the first zoom designed specifically for Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless Z bodies and represents a much lighter, more compact and affordable option to Nikon’s professional 24-70mm f2.8E VR (which can be used too on a Z body via the FTZ adapter).
- OpticalLimits 7/10
The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S produced decent resolution figures in the lab.
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The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a strong lens for the Nikon Z system. Even though it’s a “kit lens,” it’s definitely one of the best kit lenses available today – small, portable, well-built, and optically strong for such an inexpensive zoom.
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[T]he Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a really lovely kit lens for Nikon's new Z mount camera system.
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The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a lens with many great features [...] and very little to dislike. The only issue I found was distortion, but it’s hardly noticeable in normal use.
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The implied price of the 24-70mm f/4 S when bundled with a Z6 or Z7 camera is a very modest US$600.
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The f/4 zoom has a lot going for it, and with high ISO values offering such low noise in the latest cameras, we need have no fears even in the dullest of light.
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Being sold as the de-facto kit lens for the new Z series cameras, it’s likely that the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S will be sold in high quantities.
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The real point here is, should you get this kit lens and spend a thousand bucks? And my answer is most likely no.
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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.
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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.
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For those making the switch to Nikon's new full-frame mirrorless system, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S demands to be an essential part of their kit.
- Digital Trends 8/10
The Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a lens that deserves the Nikkor name, even if the relatively slow aperture doesn’t make it all that exciting.
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[T]hat being said, this is the first 24-70 that I would happily carry with me everywhere. Some of that is down to its size and weight, but mostly because of picture quality.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
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.
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[...] I found it to simply a magnificent piece of engineering.
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An amazing all-round lens and you just simply can't go wrong, and the only reason you might not be excited about it is because it's an f/4, not an S 1.8, so you don't get those extra however many stops that is.
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The 24-70 is essentially optically perfect, as well as being ultralight. It's the perfect general-purpose mirrorless lens, even if it zooms no longer than 70mm.
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[T]his is a great lens for a travel, landscape, and even for a video. If you travel a lot like me, this lens is for you.
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[T]he lens performance is quite good for a kit lens (especially if you let the camera control distortion and vignetting) and you make sure to stop down to f/5.6 if you need better corner sharpness) and the lens also works very well for video shooting.
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The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S is an excellent compact standard zoom lens for your Nikon Z camera.
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This lens is absolutely magnificent for landscape photography and I'm going to be using it for the foreseeable future.
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I do wish I'd gotten this Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S sooner and I really enjoy using it.
