Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8
Announced December 1, 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
Strong
The Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 is a compact and lightweight prime lens that delivers excellent center sharpness at a very accessible price point. While its plastic construction and corner performance may be limiting for some, it remains a highly capable and versatile option for everyday street and travel photography.
Weighted from 12 reviewer scores
Pros
- Compact, lightweight, and portable design
- High center sharpness and optical quality
- Affordable price and strong value
- Robust build quality and weather resistance
- Fast, quiet, and responsive autofocus
Cons
- Extensive use of plastic components including the mount
- Noticeable vignetting at wider apertures
- Lacks integrated image stabilization
- Soft corner performance and focus shift issues
- Missing physical controls like AF/MF switches
- Launch price $299.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 28mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 19 cm (0.2x)
- Filter thread 52mm
- Autofocus motor Autofocus
- Weight & size 155g · 70 x 43 mm (2.76 x 1.69 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 12 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 8.5/10
Should you buy it? Yes, if you are looking for a lens to fill in the gaps between the other focal lengths or simply want a very affordable walkabout lens for travel and street photography.
-
All right then, overall, the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 may be a very unambitious lens in its parameters.
-
In the case of the Nikkor Z 28 mm f/2.8 you deal with a long list of assets and just several flaws, all of them easy to predict so they shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
-
Unfortunately, I just can't quite put a "recommended" rating on it: there's just a little too much to watch for in terms of corner performance, particularly when you also have to watch out for field curvature and focus shift.
-
This new lens has yet again proved that it is possible to produce really high-quality results at a very affordable price.
-
The Nikon Z 28mm F2.8 is a tiny, lightweight, fast and inexpensive prime lens that makes for a great walk-around option for everyday shooting.
-
Image quality and all-round performance are excellent in all respects, while build quality and handling are very good, making the lens excellent value for money.
-
The Nikon Nikkor Z 28mm F2.8 lens sacrifices a bit of build quality to meet a reasonable asking price, but it captures pleasing images and offers lots of value.
-
If you're looking for a small, light and affordable prime lens for your Nikon mirrorless Z-Series camera, this 28mm is a versatile focal length to consider.
-
This is a compact, ultralight, high performance and inexpensive lens. It has great glass optics in a cheap plastic mount.
-
[I]t's very cheap, it has a very solid and well done build quality, it can cover a lot of shooting situations [...] and I think it's a very capable lens, and on top of it it's weather protected and will not let you down even under nasty shooting circumstances.
-
So if you're in the market for a lens that you want to just have to walk around, or honestly, you don't—scrap that—I really do think every Nikon Z photographer should own this lens just because, because of that reason by itself.
