Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 | NikonNIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2023 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 70–180 mm | 35 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Macro lens | – | Yes |
| Optical construction | Nineteen elements in fourteen groups | Eight elements in seven groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Five ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements | One aspherical ED element |
| Aperture detail | – | At infinity f/1.7–16; at 0.16 m focus distance f/3.2–22 |
| Coatings | Antifouling coating on the front-most surface | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 34°20′–13°40′; DX 22°50′–9° | DX 44°; Nikon Canada gives 52.5 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Teleconverter support | Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× extends reach to 252 mm; TC-2.0× to 360 mm and maximum reproduction ratio to 0.96×. Nikon cautions that autofocus or electronic rangefinding may be unreliable depending on subject, lighting and focus point | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.27 m (autofocus) | 0.16 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.48× (autofocus) | 0.67× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | No |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping-motor autofocus; Nikon Japan identifies a multi-focus system | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.27 m at 70 mm, 0.33 m at 85 mm, 0.42 m at 105 mm, 0.58 m at 135 mm and 0.85 m at 180 mm. Nikon Japan explicitly confirms autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs measured 0.26 m at 70 mm in manual focus; that measured value does not replace Nikon's autofocus figure | Minimum 0.16 m measured from the focal plane; UK maker states 7.2 cm working distance from the front of the lens |
| Magnification detail | Nikon's maximum reproduction ratio is 0.48×, with autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs' manual-focus test at 70 mm reached 1:1.9; its closest-focus image quality was weaker outside the centre | Actual maximum reproduction ratio 0.67×; Nikon describes this as life-size equivalent in 35 mm/FX format, rather than an actual 1× ratio |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical VR; stabilisation depends on a compatible camera body's sensor-shift system | No optical VR, as confirmed by both reviews; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body |
| Video features | Nikon describes quiet focusing and reduced breathing, but warns that breathing can remain visible depending on distance. Digital Camera World and CameraLabs both observed breathing | Suppressed focus breathing and quiet focusing; silent control ring |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 52 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 83.5 mm | 70 mm |
| Length | 151 mm | 72 mm |
| Weight | 795 g | 220 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and zoom lock at 70 mm; no AF/MF switch, function buttons or display. Digital Camera World describes aperture, ISO and exposure-compensation assignments | Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; no physical AF/manual switch, as noted by Amateur Photographer |
| Zoom design | Extending zoom barrel; no detachable tripod collar, as CameraLabs describes | Internal focusing keeps total length unchanged |
| Filter detail | 67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch | 52 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; complete protection is not guaranteed in all conditions | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 83.5 × 151 mm; length from lens mount flange | Approximately 70 mm maximum diameter × 72 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 795 g | Approximately 220 g, lens only |
| Lens hood | HB-113 hood included | Optional HN-43, sold separately |
| In the box | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-113 hood and CL-C2 case | LC-52B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan gives 14 July 2023 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated mid-July 2023 | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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