NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Released September 2018

A retractable full-frame Z-mount standard zoom with a constant f/4 aperture, internal focusing and a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m throughout.

Mount: Nikon Z mount
Focal length: 24–70 mm
Max aperture: f/4
Stabilisation: No
Weight: 500 g

Zoom

What reviewers say

Both find it a compact, versatile standard zoom with sharp results, little visible colour fringing, good construction and quick, quiet autofocus. Both regard its separate purchase price as high and note the f/4 aperture trade-off. Photography Blog likes it for travel and finds pleasing background blur, but reports slower focusing in very low light on its Z7. TechRadar finds excellent central sharpness and very good edges, with slight wide-open corner shading that is easily corrected.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 24–70 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Minimum aperture: f/22
Optical construction: Fourteen elements in eleven groups
Special elements: One ED, one aspherical ED and three aspherical elements
Coatings: Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail: Constant f/4 maximum; f/22 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm
Diaphragm: Seven rounded blades
Angle of view: FX 84°–34°20′; DX 61°–22°50′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Nikon Z mount
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Optical stabilisation: No
Autofocus detail: Nikon describes smooth, quiet focusing with floating lens elements for close-distance focus
Focus distance detail: Internal focusing; minimum 0.3 m from focal plane at all zoom positions; no mechanical end stops on the focus ring, as Photography Blog notes
Stabilisation detail: Uses compatible cameras' in-body VR; Nikon's UK page quotes up to five stops for its original camera system, not lens optical VR
Video features: Quiet operation, compensation for focus breathing and smooth exposure control according to Nikon's launch announcement

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Maximum diameter: 77.5 mm
Length: 88.5 mm
Weight: 500 g
Controls: Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and A/M switch; no focus-distance scale. Control ring can adjust exposure compensation in AF
Zoom design: Retractable barrel, extended by turning the zoom ring without a separate release button; must extend to a shooting focal length before use
Filter detail: 72 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance: Nikon states sealing of the lens including moving parts for dust and drip resistance; not a waterproof guarantee
Dimensions detail: Approximately 77.5 mm maximum diameter × 88.5 mm from the lens mount flange when retracted
Weight detail: Approximately 500 g
Lens hood: HB-85 included
In the box: LC-72B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-85 hood and CL-C1 case
Release detail: Nikon USA's August 2018 announcement gives September 27 availability. This is the retractable f/4 model, distinct from the later f/2.8 zoom

Pros and cons

Pros

Constant f/4 maximum aperture
Retractable design and 500 g weight
Minimum focus distance of 0.3 m throughout the zoom range

Cons

Must be extended before shooting
No focus-distance scale
No optical vibration reduction

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S	Nikon Z mount	24–70 mm	f/2.8	No	805 g	Apr 2019
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3	Nikon Z mount	24–50 mm	f/4–6.3	No	195 g	Aug 2020
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S	Nikon Z mount	24–120 mm	f/4	No	630 g	Dec 2021

Sources

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: lens attached to optional Nikon Z6III body, front view: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: upright lens studio view with intentional shadow: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: shared launch composition with 24–70mm f/4 S,35mm f/1.8 S,50mm f/1.8 S and FTZ adapter: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: studio side view with lens extended: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: three-quarter rear view with focus-mode switch: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: studio side view with lens retracted: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S: retracted side view opposite the focus-mode switch: Nikon official product/press library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S in the complete supplied NIKKOR Z lens family photograph: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph All_lens_2020JUNE_PBS2.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S in the complete supplied NIKKOR Z lens family photograph: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph All_lens_2019JAN_PBS2.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z24–70mm f/4 S with Nikon Z6 in the complete supplied filmmaker kit configuration: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z6_Atomos-Gimble.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z24–70mm f/4 S with Nikon Z6 in the complete supplied filmmaker kit configuration: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z6_Group.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z24–70mm f/4 S with Nikon Z6 in the complete supplied filmmaker kit configuration: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z6_Group_HorzFlt.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z24–70mm f/4 S with Nikon Z6 in the complete supplied filmmaker kit configuration: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z6_RodeMic.jpg

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