Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Announced October 28, 2021
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
Exceptional
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a versatile midrange zoom that excels at balancing a broad focal range with consistent optical performance. While it lacks built-in image stabilization, the lens provides sharp results, quick autofocus, and a useful close-focusing distance for a variety of shooting scenarios.
Weighted from 25 reviewer scores
Pros
- Sharp image quality across focal lengths and apertures
- Fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus performance
- Excellent close-focusing capabilities
- Weather-sealed, durable construction with useful control features
- Versatile zoom range suitable for diverse photography needs
Cons
- Absence of internal vibration reduction
- Reliance on digital corrections for distortion and vignetting
- Corner sharpness drop-off at wider apertures or longer focal lengths
- Telescoping barrel design and potentially flimsy lens hood
- Control ring lacks tactile steps for precise adjustments
- Launch price $1,099.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 24-120mm f/4
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 35 cm (0.39x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Dual stepper motor
- Weight & size 630g · 84 x 118 mm (3.31 x 4.65 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 25 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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So the Z 24-120mm f4 S is the perfect choice for those wanting more reach than the standard 24-70mm lens and value a constant f4.0 focal ratio.
- OpticalLimits 7.5/10
It's not surprising that the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S is so popular among Nikon shooters. Who doesn't like the idea of a 5x zoom ratio on a straight f/4 lens, after all?
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Because with the Z 24-120mm f/4 S, Nikon has made one of the best all-around midrange zooms that I’ve ever tested.
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With full-frame cameras such as the Z series being suitable for travel and every day usage in a way we might once have only dreamed of, having a flexible, versatile and easy-to-transport lens will be extremely important to some photographers.
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All of these factors add up to a lens that hits high marks for usefulness and performance. It’s no wonder the 24-120mm F4 S hits basically every list of the best zoom lenses available on Nikon Z!
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Nikon really have managed to get just about everything right with this one: a useful zoom range and maximum aperture, excellent sharpness and contrast, close focusing ability, lightning fast autofocus, a lens body that's not too heavy.
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Nikon is now giving us six choices to cover the mid-range focal lengths with zooms (24-50mm, 24-70mm f/2.8 and f/4, 24-120mm f/4, 28-75mm f/2.8, and 24-200mm).
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This is an amazingly sharp lens, with lots of other fine qualities as well. It is the first lens to exceed our usual graph limits in terms of sharpness, an achievement in itself.
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The new Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the fifth standard zoom lens released in the past few years for Nikon Z-series full-frame mirrorless cameras, with all of them starting at 24mm, joining the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, Z 24-70mm f/4 S, Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 and the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR.
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Building on bygone popularity, the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a mirrorless version of a somewhat classic 5x standard zoom for F-mount DSLRs.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S provides excellent optical performance for detailed images with defocused backgrounds and focused close-ups for macros.
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I think the build, the image quality, everything about it is right where it should be and between very good and excellent for the price. I think it's an excellent lens.
- Photo Review 9/10
Of the six standard zoom lenses Nikon makes for its Z-mount cameras, the 24-120mm f/4 S lens is the most versatile choice and one of the better performers.
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The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is simply put, a great lens. It’s got an extremely useful and wide zoom range, covering a huge variety of shooting situations.
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The fact that the price of this lens is the same as the old F-mount version but it packs a lot of new technology and improvements means it is a lens that is really great value for money.
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If you could only own one lens for the Z series, I would actually recommend it to be this lens. This is the lens that you should have; it will cover most of what you could ever need to do with a camera.
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It’s better than the average kit lens and is a great option to have as a take-anywhere, shoot-almost-anything lens.
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From my perspective, this is a must-have in your Z-mount camera bag.
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[T]his is without shadow of a doubt going to be the lens that's on my camera the most from now on.
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This Z 24-120mm f/4 is a fantastic lens. It's ultrasharp, covers a far more useful range than any 24-70mm lens, it's reasonably light, fast with a constant f/4, compact and well priced.
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It gives a longer range than 24-70mm and it's also a very sharp lens.
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If you had only one lens, the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S would be fine if you are okay with the maximum f/stop of f/4.
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The addition of the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S to the lens line for Nikon mirrorless cameras is well suited for professionals doing portrait, wedding, event, and even landscape photography.
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This makes the 24 to 120 the perfect all-around lens for anything that you want to shoot. And if you bring this lens with you on a shoot, you pretty much don't need another lens, making it a perfect single carry lens.
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As far as I'm concerned, the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S from Nikon is very much staying in my bag and comes very, very highly recommended you.
