NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S
Launch MSRP
$2,800- Weight
- 1,060g
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m
- Max mag.
- 0.20×
- Formula
- 17E / 15G
- Released
- 2025
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x ED
- 1x Aspherical ED
- 3x Aspherical
- Meso Amorphous Coat
- Nano Crystal Coat
- ARNEO Coat
- Aperture range
- f/1.2 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,060g
- ⌀ × length
- 90.0 × 150.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.3 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.30m
- Max magnification
- 0.20× (1:5.0)
Optical character
The Z 35mm f/1.2 S is Nikon's first 35mm f/1.2 and its flagship wide-normal prime, built for portraits, weddings and environmental work where a 35mm view and very shallow depth of field are both wanted. It balances high resolution with smooth bokeh transitions, and 11 rounded blades keep highlights round.
Seventeen elements, including ED, aspherical ED and aspherical glass, plus Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings, control colour fringing and flare. The cost is size: 1,060g and 150mm long with 82mm filters. It has two L-Fn buttons, an assignable control ring, an A/M switch and full sealing, and two stepping motors drive the focus groups.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers rank it as the best native 35mm for Nikon Z optically: sharp from f/1.2 in the centre, very good across the frame by f/2, with low longitudinal CA and very good flare resistance. Bokeh is smooth with little onion-ring texture.
The main criticisms are its size, weight and price, and strong vignetting at f/1.2. AF is quiet and very accurate but not especially fast, which some testers noticed with moving subjects.
Owner sentiment
Owners, mostly wedding and portrait shooters, describe the rendering as three-dimensional and say it can replace a 50mm for many jobs. Hit rate with eye AF on Z8 and Z9 bodies is reported as high.
The common complaint is weight, with many saying it makes a small body front-heavy and is hard to carry all day. Others question the premium over the 35mm f/1.4 and f/1.8 S, and a few would like an aperture ring.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp at f/1.2 with smooth bokeh
- +Low CA and very good flare resistance
- +11-blade rounded aperture
- +Two L-Fn buttons and full sealing
- +Accurate, quiet AF
Weaknesses
- −Heavy and large (1,060g, 150mm)
- −Expensive ($2,800 launch price)
- −Strong vignetting wide open
- −AF not the fastest
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 9.5
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.3
- Flare Resistance
- 8.9
- Build / Sealing
- 9.3
- Value / Size
- 7.2
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 17 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | 3x ED · 1x Aspherical ED · 3x Aspherical · Meso Amorphous Coat · Nano Crystal Coat · ARNEO Coat |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM (x2, multi-focusing) |
| Minimum focus | 0.30m |
| Max magnification | 0.20× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 1,060g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 90.0 × 150.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀82mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Launch MSRP | $2,800 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_35mmf12s/
- newsshooter.com/2025/02/04/nikon-nikkor-z-35mm-f-1-2-s/
- imaging-resource.com/
- lenstip.com/719.11-Lens_review-Nikon_Nikkor_Z_35_mm_f_1.2_S_Summary.htm
- cameralabs.com/nikon-z-35mm-f1-2-s-review
- fstoppers.com/reviews/nikons-new-35mm-f12-worth-price-695233
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1877282-REG/nikon_20124_nikkor_z_35mm_f_1_2.html
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs 35mm F1.4 III (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs 35mm F5.6 Pancake (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs AF 35mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
- 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 III (Nikon Z)
35mmF1.4- WT
- 274g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- $189
MFRING·DC - 7Artisans
35mm F5.6 Pancake (Nikon Z)
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- 154g
- FLT
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- MFD
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- MSRP
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MF - 7Artisans
AF 35mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
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- 426g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
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AFWRRING·DC
