Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S preview

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S is a 5x zoom covering a wide-angle to mince telephoto cast. It is corrected for heavy-frame cameras but can also be used on a cropped body like the Z fc operating room Z50 where information technology covers a field of view equivalent to 36-180m focal distance. IT is the replacement to Nikon's AF-S 24-120mm f4G VR which was introduced in 2010 and stock-still can represent misused via FTZ adapter on Nikon's Z cameras. The new lens has a sacred focus ring, an extra function button and is a member of Nikon's "S-Line" class of lenses which implies very good optical performance. Nikon too claims that the lens has minimal focus external respiration or focus shift which bodes advisable for shooting video. The lens is fully sealed against the elements and also has Nikon's best coating against flare and glare simply it misses optical visualize stabilization. Then it relies alone along the body-based stabilization on Nikon's full-frame Z cameras – which you'll sorely miss on a Nikon Z fc or Z50 camera.

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S costs 1249 EUR / 1097 USD / 1099 GBP and should become available in December.

Facts and features

Permit's compare the Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S ("Z 24-120" for dead) to the Nikon AF-S 24-105mm f4G VR ("F-Nikkor") and the Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR ("Z 24-200"). As was common I've rated the features with a [+] (or [++]), when it's better than average or even DoS of the fine art, a [0] if it's standard or just average, and [-] if thither's a disadvantage.

Sizing (diameter x duration): 84 x 118mm (3.3 x 4.6in.). Add an estimated 35mm for the lens hood and 40mm when zoomed in to 120mm focal duration. Nikon implemented a double barrel design to fare this impartial like on the Z 24-200. The F-Nikkor is 84 x 104mm + crystalline lens hood + extension when zoom-in. Add 30mm for the FTZ adapter to use it connected a Nikon Z camera. The Z 24-200 is 77 x 114mm + 38mm lens hood + 63mm when zoomed in. [0]

Weight: 630g (1.39 lb.). Add an estimated 25g for the plastic lense hood. The F-Nikkor is 710g + lens hood. Sum up another 133g for the FTZ adapter to use it on a Nikon Z camera. The Z 24-200 is 565g + 22g lens hood. [0]

Optics: 16 elements in 13 groups including 7 special dispersion and/or aspheric elements. The lens has "ARNEO" anti-reflective coating additionally to Nikon's Nano-coating to reduce flare, glare and ghosting positive atomic number-coating happening the front element to repel water, dust, and dirt and make cleaning easier. The F-Nikkor has 17 elements in 13 groups including three elements. The Z 24-200 has 19 elements in 15 groups including three rounded elements. [+]

Focal ratio: The Z 24-120 has a constant f number of f4.0 over its entire zoom straddle sporty suchlike the F-Nikkor. The Z 24-200mm also starts at f4.0 on the short end but achieves its slowest focal ratio of f6.3 already at 80mm focal length. That is 1.3 Michigan slower than the Z 24-120. [0]

Insurance coverage: the 5x zoom-range of the Z 24-120 is the same Eastern Samoa from the F-Nikkor and gives you 71% Sir Thomas More reach concluded a standard 24-70mm surg lens. But it is screw-topped by the 8.3x zoom stray of the Z 24-200 which has again other 67% more reach. [0]

Closest focus distance is 0.35m (1.2ft.) with a temporary distance of 0.51m (1.7ft.) at each zoom positions. At 120mm focal distance maximum blowup is 1:2.6 which is same good. The F-Nikkor goes to 1:4.2 at 0.45m working distance, the Z 24-200 achieves 1:3.4 at 0.49m working length. [+]

Image stabilization: No. The Z 24-120 relies solely on the consistency-settled stabilization on Nikon's full-frame Z cameras. The F-Nikkor and the Z 24-200 offer optical stabilization (VR) which works in concurrence with the Z full-frame cameras to achieve stabilization over 5 axes for the Z 24-120 and 3 axes for the F-Nikkor. [0]

Filter-thread: The Z24-120 and F-Nikkor use 77mm filters. The Z 24-200 only needs 67mm filters [+]

Autofocus: Yes with built-in AF drive. Manual-focus overthrow is by simply turning the dedicated focus ring at the front of the lens. The ring has a variable gearing (like Nikon's different AF Z-Nikkors) which allows for very precise hand-operated focussing when inside-out slowly but cannot be switched to linear gearing. Which makes smooth focus pull for videographers about impossible. Along Nikon Z cameras introduced October 2020 or later you can revoke focus focal point. Cente the F-Nikkor works differently as it has a direct linear mechanical union between the concentrate ring and the focus action. And it also has a display exhibit focalisation distance in meter an feet. [+]

Aperture ring and other restraint elements: the multi-social occasion control ring of the Z 24-120 can be assigned to run the aperture (which is the default), photograph recompense, surgery ISO sensitivity – OR simply switched off. The Z 24-200mm lacks the dedicated centerin ring so the multi-function ring likewise controls focus when the camera is set to MF. The F-Nikkor has no aperture ring. Both the Z 24-120 and the F-Nikkor have an AF/MF switch – which the Z 24-200 lacks. And the Z 24-120 is the only lens in this comparison which has an extra mathematical function button which stool be assigned different functions e.g. AE/AF-lock. [+]

Lens visibility: The Z-Nikkors comes with a lens profile which can be controlled from the tv camera. Vignette see offers the usual options of Steep, Normal, Low and Off. Diffraction compensation and Machine distortion control can be activated or deactivated (except on the Z 24-200). The F-Nikkor has a lens profile in Adobe's RAW converter. [+]

All three lenses hide full frame/FX or smaller sensors. [+]

Price: 1249 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) / 1097 USD / 1099 GBP. The Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f4G VR is currently at 850 EUR / 1097 USD / 1079 GBP, the Nikon Z 24-200mm f2.8 VR S costs 930 EUR / 897 USD / 830 GBP. The price of the Z 24-120 in EUR seems a bit too high – especially compared to the price in USD or the Z 24-200. [0]

Both Z-Nikkors come with the usual flimsy pouch with no string section to pull it close. The lens hood is included and is reversible for transportation. The F-Nikkor comes with a soft pouch and reversible lens hood. [0]

Waterproofing: yes. All three lenses have a rubber grommet at the lens-mount. And the Z-Nikkors have further especial weather-sealing throughout the construction. [+]

At a score of 0[-]/7[0]/8[+] the Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S offers a well balanced have set including untouched weather sealing, fluorine-application, ARNEO plus Nano opposed-reflex coating, separate focus reverberate positive multi run annulus. But the lens is neither very small or sparkle and misses optical image stabilization – which is a critical omission peculiarly when you employment the lens along a DX-dead body without sensor-settled IS. IT's main differentiator versus the Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 is its faithful f4 focal ratio. Just past its focal distance stops at 120mm vs the 200mm of the superior-zoom, which gives you 67% more reach.

Distinctness and contrast

Let's take in a attend at the abstractive performance of the Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S, Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f4G VR and Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR:

Above: Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S at 240mm f4.0 (nigh), 120mm f4.0 (right)

Above: Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f4 G VR at 24mm f4.0 (left), 120mm f4.0 (letter-perfect)

Above: Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR at 24mm f4.0 (left), 200mm f6.3 (right)

These MTF charts show the computed lens-operation of lenses wide open at eternity without influence of diffraction at 10 telephone line-pairs/mm (red) and 30 lp/mm (blue/green). Higher values are better (more contrast) and the closer the dotted and solid lines are together the less contrast dependents on the orientation of the test-pattern (less astigmia). The x-axis displays the distance from the optical axis (=center of the sensor) in mm.

From the charts the new Z 24-120mm f4 S should glucinium distinctly sharper than its predecessor. Only compared to the Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 VR the new lens seems not thusly far onwards.

Check back for my pregnant review when the lens system becomes on hand.

Check prices along the Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S at B&H, Adorama, WEX UK Oregon Calumet.de. Alternatively get yourself a replicate of my In Photographic camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!