The Best Nikon Z Mirrorless Lenses We’ve Tested for 2026

Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S / Nikon Z 6 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

The standard zoom is the first lens many people buy with a camera. Full-frame editions typically start around 24mm or 28mm, an angle of view that’s moderately wide.

Zoom power and aperture vary from lens to lens. Nikon bundles the slim, affordable, but otherwise unremarkable Z 24-50mm F3.5-5.6 with its most basic models. Its zoom power is modest and its aperture is a bit dim, so it’s better suited for use in decent light.

The Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 S is the step-up option. It costs around $1,000 by itself, but gets a hefty discount in a kit. It’s a slim lens and one with excellent optics, but pros will want an F2.8 zoom like the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S II (which we’ve not yet reviewed) or the excellent Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S, which is now selling at a reduced price following the release of the the second version. If you’re after more value, consider the Z 24-120mm F4 S, it’s a fantastic choice for day-to-day photography, or if you prefer a brighter aperture, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is the best mid-priced F2.8 standard zoom for Z owners.

There are also a couple of all-in-one zooms for the system, the Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR ($899.95) and Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR ($1,299.95). Both have a relatively small f-stop, so are not the best choice for working in dim environments, but provide long zoom power. We like the 24-200mm a little bit more for travel due to its lower cost and weight versus the 28-400mm, but the latter is worth it if you frequently photograph distance subjects like wildlife.

Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S / Nikon Z 6 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Working at a wide angle nets images with a grand scale. You’ll see more of the world in each frame for landscapes, architectural work, and group shots. Many can also focus very near for dramatic close-ups.

Nikon has released a trio of wide zooms, the 14-30mm F4 S, 14-24mm F2.8 S, and 17-28mm F2.8, and the 20mm F1.8 S prime for the Z system to date. Zooms are a bit more convenient, but the 20mm F1.8’s bright aperture makes it an appealing choice for astrophotography, vlogging, and architectural interiors.

It’s not as wide as some others, though. Venus Optics sells a range of wide-angle lenses for the Z system, but they are manual focus only. Its Laowa 15mm F2 Zero-D is a native option for photographers who want to go wide and bright. If you’re looking for a lens with autofocus, reach for the FTZ adapter and the Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon SLRs.

Wide zoom lenses cover a broader range of views, but don’t gather as much light. That’s not a concern for many landscape photographers, who enjoy using narrow apertures and neutral density filters for long exposure work.

The Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S balances its coverage range and f-stop. It’s not as suited for night sky photography as an F1.8 or F2.0 prime, but at F2.8 it’s still a solid fit for a good deal of indoor work. The 17-28mm F2.8 is an alternative if you want those attributes, but can live without quite as wide an angle of view. The Z 14-30mm F4 is our favorite for the system because of its coverage range, picture quality, and reasonable pricing.

Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S / Nikon Z 9 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Nikon has a few native Z-mount telephoto lenses in its lineup. The 70-200mm F2.8 VR S and 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S are both excellent performers. We’ve not tested the Nikon 70-180mm F2.8 as of yet, but are willing to recommend it based on what we saw from the Tamron zoom upon which it is based.

Photographers who prefer a prime can opt for the 400mm F2.8 TC VR S ($13,999.95) or 600mm F4 TC VR S ($15,499.95), a pair of exotic lenses, each with an integrated 1.4x teleconverter. More will be able to afford the 180-600mm zoom ($1,699.95) or one of a pair of lightweight primes, the Z 400mm F4.5 VR S ($3,249.95), 600mm F6.3 VR S ($4,799.95), or Z 800mm F6.3 VR S ($6,499.95).

Nikkor Z 24mm F1.8 S / Nikon Z 7 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Photographers love prime lenses for loads of reasons. They’re typically smaller than zooms, capture more light, and can net blurrier backgrounds.

Nikon has opted for F1.8 optics for its first generation of primes. It makes for glass that’s a bit more portable than premium F1.4 lenses for SLR systems. Nikon’s mirrorless F1.8 lenses are all part of the S line and built well, with dust and splash protection.

There aren’t any F1.4 primes for the Z system yet, but Nikon has made a couple of lenses with even wider apertures. The Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S and 85mm F1.2 S can capture about twice the light as an F1.8 lens, for example, though they measure larger than some zooms.

For budget shoppers, the Nikkor Z 28mm and Z 40mm F2 are good picks for both full-frame (FX) and APS-C (DX) camera bodies. They’re not part of the S Line, so they don’t include weather protection, but each is priced affordably, around $300. Lenses from Viltrox are also worth a look for budget shoppers, we tried its $170 40mm F2.5 in Z mount and found it delivered excellent performance for the price.

There’s also the exotic Nikkor Z 58mm F0.95 S Noct. It’s a massive, $8,000 optic that requires manual focus. To say it’s not for everyone is an understatement. Nikon’s other named lens, the Z 135mm F1.8 S Plena, is more of a crowd-pleaser thanks to autofocus support and spendy, but not crazy, $2,499.95 asking price.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S / Z 7 II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Nikon has released two dedicated macro lenses for the Z system to date, the premium Z MC 105mm and the Z MC 50mm F2.8, and Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III VXD Macro. The Z MC 105mm is a bit costlier than the others, but we give it higher marks—its longer working distance and stabilized optics are worthwhile.

If you’re willing to go manual focus there are some native Z-mount options to consider, including the Venus Laowa 100mm F2.8 2x, which focuses ultra-close for 2:1 magnification.

If you’re stepping up from a Nikon SLR you can also consider macros for use with the FTZ lens adapter. The Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8 and Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art are our top choices for FTZ adapter owners.

Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm / Z fc (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Most Nikkor Z lenses are for the FX format, but you can still use them on a DX camera like the Z50II. The angle of view is tighter, but otherwise they operate the same.

You’ll know a lens is for a DX camera if you see those letters in its product name. The selection is still slim, with two cameras and five lenses. The DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR and DX 18-140mm F3.5-6.3 VR are the standard zoom options, and the DX 50-250mm F4.5-6.3 VR takes care of telephoto duties. Nikon also has a DX zoom that appeals to shutterbugs, the DX 16-50mm F2.8 VR ($899.95). We’ve not yet reviewed that one, but it looks promising.

For wide angle, the Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR ($359.95) includes optical stabilization and a power zoom design, so it’s a good match for the Z 30 vlogging camera. And if you want a bright prime, the Z DX 24mm F1.7 covers a wide standard angle and blurs backgrounds for $279.95. And for fans of macro primes, the DX MC 35mm F1.7 offers an uncommon mix of bright optics and 1:1.5 macro focus for $449.95.

Of course, you can use any of the full-frame Z lenses with the Z 50. Nikon is bundling the slim, full-frame Nikkor Z 28mm F2.8 in kits with the retro-inspired Z fc. But if you’re committed to an APS-C camera, it’s worth it to look at third party options too. Both Sigma and Viltrox market APS-C lenses with autofocus in Z mount.

Lensbaby Velvet 85 / Nikon D810 (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Manual focus, special effects lenses are available for many camera systems. If you use a Z camera, you’ll want to reach for an adapter to use many lenses from artsy brands like Lensbaby and Lomography. You won’t miss out on anything by doing so, as they’re all made for manual focus and omit any sort of electronics.

Some of our favorites include the Lensbaby Sol 45 and Composer Pro II, creative optics that tilt incoming light in interesting ways. You may also want to take a look at the soft focus macro Velvet series.

Lenses aren’t the only add-ons available for digital cameras. You can get more out of your Z by adding a flash, tripod, or an external microphone for vlogging.

Nikon Z owners may also want to try a lens adapter, the Nikon FTZ and FTZ II let you use AF-S Nikkor SLR lenses on the Z system, and you should get one of them if you are upgrading from an SLR. They are functionally identical, but the FTZ II is noticeably smaller. You can also look at the Megadap EFTZ21, a third-party add-on that lets you use Canon SLR lenses on a Nikon Z body, or the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ if you want to try your luck with Sony E-mount lenses with a Z camera.