NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Reviewers rate it among the best standard zooms on any mirrorless system for its price class. It is sharp from the centre to the corners at 24mm f/4, stays strong through the middle range, and gives up only a little at 120mm. Flare resistance is excellent, and AF is fast and accurate for stills and video.

The criticisms are minor: noticeable uncorrected distortion and vignetting at 24mm that the camera fixes by default, bokeh that is smooth but limited by f/4, and a price above the f/4 kit zooms it competes with. Several testers consider it better optically than the older 24-70mm f/4 S while adding real reach.

Owners frequently call it the lens that stays on the camera. They praise the extra 50mm over 24-70s, consistent sharpness, the 0.39x close focus and how it balances on Z bodies. Many sold their 24-70mm f/4 S after buying it.

Common gripes are its size compared with the 24-70mm f/4 S, the extending barrel, and the f/4 aperture indoors. A few users would have liked VR for use on the Z50-type DX bodies, which lack IBIS.