NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Launch MSRP
$2,300- Weight
- 805g
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Min focus
- 0.38m
- Max mag.
- 0.22×
- Formula
- 17E / 15G
- Released
- 2019
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x ED
- 4x Aspherical
- ARNEO Coat
- Nano Crystal Coat
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 805g
- ⌀ × length
- 89.0 × 126.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.8 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.38m
- Max magnification
- 0.22× (1:4.5)
Optical character
Nikon's first professional Z-mount zoom was a clean-sheet design, sharper than the F-mount 24-70mm f/2.8E VR and lighter at 805g. It introduced ARNEO Coat alongside Nano Crystal Coat, plus an OLED info panel with a DISP button and an assignable L-Fn button on the barrel, a separate focus ring and a control ring.
A multi-focusing system with two stepping motors keeps the focal plane flat at close range and focuses quickly and quietly for video. It produces crisp results edge to edge from f/2.8 at all focal lengths, and was the standard event and wedding workhorse on Z bodies until the S II replaced it in 2025.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers rank it among the sharpest 24-70mm f/2.8 zooms for any system, with excellent corners at f/2.8 even at 24mm, low chromatic aberration and very good flare control from the ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings. Bokeh is smooth for a standard zoom, with mild onion-ring texture in some highlights.
The drawbacks testers mention are 82mm filters, an extending barrel, only 0.22x close-focus magnification and no stabilisation for bodies without IBIS (not an issue on most Z cameras). AF is fast and silent, though it trails the newer VCM-driven S-Line zooms.
Owner sentiment
Owners call it a lens that rarely disappoints: consistently sharp, well sealed and reliable through long wedding and event days. The OLED panel gets mixed use, but the L-Fn button is popular.
Common complaints are the weight compared with the f/4 S, the 82mm filter size, and the zoom ring position, which some find too close to the front. Since the S II arrived it is widely discounted and plentiful used, which makes it a strong value buy.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Edge-to-edge sharpness at f/2.8
- +ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings resist flare
- +OLED display and L-Fn button
- +Quiet multi-focus AF for video
- +Well sealed, fluorine-coated front and rear
Weaknesses
- −82mm filters
- −Barrel extends when zooming
- −Only 0.22x maximum magnification
- −Superseded by the lighter, faster S II
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.2
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.8
- Flare Resistance
- 8.8
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 8.2
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 24–70mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 17 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | 2x ED · 4x Aspherical · ARNEO Coat · Nano Crystal Coat · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) x2, multi-focusing |
| Minimum focus | 0.38m |
| Max magnification | 0.22× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 805g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 89.0 × 126.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀82mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Launch MSRP | $2,300 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_24-70mmf28s/
- nikonusa.com/p/nikkor-z-24-70mm-f28-s/20089/overview
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1459622-REG/nikon_nikkor_z_24_70mm_f_2_8.html
- nikonrumors.com/2019/03/29/the-new-nikon-nikkor-z-14-30mm-f-4-s-and-nikkor-
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S vs NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II
- VSNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S vs NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
- VSNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S vs NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8
- NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II
24–70mmF2.8- WT
- 675g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.24m
- MSRP
- $2,800
AFWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
24–70mmF4- WT
- 500g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.30m
- MSRP
- $1,000
AFWR - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8
28–75mmF2.8- WT
- 565g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $1,200
AFWR
