NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
Launch MSRP
$300- Weight
- 170g
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Min focus
- 0.29m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 6E / 4G
- Released
- 2021
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/2 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 170g
- ⌀ × length
- 70.0 × 45.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.29m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:5.9)
Optical character
The 40mm f/2 is Nikon's smallest and cheapest full-frame Z prime: 45.5mm long and 170g, so it turns any Z body into a compact walkaround camera. The slightly wide-normal focal length suits street, travel and casual portraits, and close focus at 0.29m covers tabletop shots.
The optical design is simple, six elements in four groups with two aspherical elements, and the rendering has a mild vintage character: sharp in the centre at f/2, with softer edges until f/4. A stepping motor drives AF, a single ring works as focus or control ring, and the barrel is sealed against dust and drips even though the mount is plastic.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers agree it delivers good centre sharpness from f/2 and solid results across the frame by f/4 to f/5.6, which is what the price and size suggest. Vignetting, lateral CA and distortion lean on in-camera corrections, and flare resistance is only average without Nikon's premium coatings.
Bokeh is smooth enough for portraits at close range but can turn busy with complex backgrounds. AF is accurate but slower and audibly louder than the S-Line primes. The overall verdict is that it is an excellent value for compactness rather than a lens for pixel-level detail.
Owner sentiment
Owners love the size and price and often call it the lens that stays on the camera. It is a common pick for Z5 and Z6 owners wanting something pocketable, and the f/2 aperture is enough for indoor snapshots.
The usual complaints are the plastic mount, a slightly noisy AF motor in quiet rooms, and corner softness at f/2. Some owners wish it had an f/1.8 aperture or a separate control ring.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Very small and light (170g, 45.5mm)
- +Low price
- +Dust- and drip-resistant
- +Good centre sharpness at f/2
- +Close focus 0.29m
Weaknesses
- −Plastic lens mount
- −Soft corners at f/2
- −AF slower and louder than S-Line primes
- −Average flare resistance
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.9
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.6
- Flare Resistance
- 7.3
- Build / Sealing
- 6.9
- Value / Size
- 9.2
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 40mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) |
| Minimum focus | 0.29m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 170g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 70.0 × 45.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀52mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Launch MSRP | $300 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_40mmf2/
- thedeadpixelssociety.com/nikon-releases-the-nikkor-z-40mm-f-2/
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1664000-REG/nikon_nikkor_z_40mm_f_2.html
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 vs AF 40mm F2.5 LITE (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 vs NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)
- VSNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 vs AF 40mm F2.5 Air Z
- 7ArtisansLite
AF 40mm F2.5 LITE (Nikon Z)
40mmF2.5- WT
- 90g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $159
AFRING - NikonSE
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (SE)
40mmF2- WT
- 170g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.29m
- MSRP
- $307
AFWR - ViltroxAir
AF 40mm F2.5 Air Z
40mmF2.5- WT
- 180g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.34m
- MSRP
- $168
AF
