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Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£980
Avg. price in US: ~$1,100
Lens mount: Nikon Z
Maximum focal length: 30 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 4
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 114 °

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

7.6

Very good

7.5

Very good

8.1

Excellent

7.1
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.7
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
7.0
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
8.7
Lens length
25.0%
6.8
Lens diameter
25.0%
10
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

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Verdict

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a compact, full-frame ultra-wide zoom lens featuring a constant f/4 maximum aperture and a retractable design that collapses to just 89mm in length. Weighing only 485g, it is highly portable and notably the first 14mm full-frame lens to support 82mm screw-in filters thanks to its nearly flat front element. Its optical construction includes 14 elements in 12 groups—comprising four Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and four aspherical elements—along with Nano Crystal and Fluorine coatings for superior flare resistance and weather protection. Main pros include its exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, fast and silent stepping motor (STM) autofocus, and extensive weather sealing. However, cons include significant barrel distortion and heavy vignetting in uncorrected RAW files, as well as a retractable mechanism that some users find cumbersome since the lens must be extended before shooting.

Technical Specifications of Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S

Overall score

7.6

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

zoom

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Nikon Z

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

82 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.1

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

14 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

30 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

2.1x

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

114 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

72 °

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Focus & Controls

7.0

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

STM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

9.4

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

?

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

5.7

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S vs the average camera lens

Why is Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S better than the average camera lens?

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Has fluorine coating
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
What it is: A protective coating on exposed elements that repels water, oil, and dirt for easier cleaning.
When it matters: When you shoot in rain, sea spray, or dusty places and want easier front-element cleaning.
Importance: HIGH
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
Has de-clickable aperture ring
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
Native clickless iris ring.
What it is: An aperture ring that can switch from stepped clicks to smooth rotation for video work.
When it matters: When you shoot video and need smooth aperture changes without audible or visible click steps.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
2 more aspherical elements
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.4 vs 2
2 more low-dispersion elements
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.4 vs 2
Newer release date
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S was released more recently than the average camera lens.
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S was released more recently than the average camera lens.2019 vs 2016
7 mm shorter lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is shorter than the average camera lens (85 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
Retracted length.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is shorter than the average camera lens (85 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.85 mm vs 92 mm
2 more aspherical elements
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
2 more low-dispersion elements
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
Has de-clickable aperture ring
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.4% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
Has focus distance scale
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Has fluorine coating
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
Newer release date
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S was released more recently than the average camera lens.
7 mm shorter lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is shorter than the average camera lens (85 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S worse than the average camera lens?

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1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
2 fewer aperture blades
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
0.03 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
12 mm wider lens barrel
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is wider than the average camera lens (89 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
6.5 µm higher chromatic aberration
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a higher chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (15 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.
0.5 EV more vignetting
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more vignetting than the average camera lens (1.7 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
2 points lower DxOMark score
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (24 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.4 vs 2.8
2 fewer aperture blades
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
6.5 µm higher chromatic aberration
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a higher chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (15 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that quantifies unwanted color fringing caused by different wavelengths focusing unevenly.
When it matters: When you want to avoid color fringing on high-contrast edges in backlit scenes or detailed subjects.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a higher chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (15 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.15 µm vs 8.5 µm
0.5 EV more vignetting
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more vignetting than the average camera lens (1.7 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.
When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has more vignetting than the average camera lens (1.7 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.1.700 EV vs 1.2 EV
12 mm wider lens barrel
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is wider than the average camera lens (89 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is wider than the average camera lens (89 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.89 mm vs 77 mm
2 points lower DxOMark score
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (24 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.
Importance: HIGH
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (24 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.24 vs 26
84.9% more expensive
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is more expensive than the average camera lens (£980 vs £530).
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S is more expensive than the average camera lens (£980 vs £530).£980 vs £530
6.3% worse value for money
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.91 vs 7.346).
What it is: An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters: When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.91 vs 7.346).6.91 vs 7.35

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S?

Extremely compact and lightweight (485g) for an ultra-wide zoom, ideal for travel and hiking.
Unique flat front element allows for standard 82mm screw-in filters without bulky adapters.
Excellent center sharpness across the entire zoom range, even at f/4.
Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance suitable for both stills and video.
Robust weather-sealing and solid build quality with fluorine coating on front glass.
Versatile 14-30mm focal range covers everything from extreme wide-angle to nearly standard views.

What customers dislike about Nikon NIKKOR Z 14 30mm F 4 S?

Strong native barrel distortion and heavy vignetting at 14mm, requiring digital correction.
Corner sharpness is good but noticeably lags behind the excellent center performance at wide apertures.
Maximum aperture of f/4 may be limiting for dedicated astrophotography or low-light action.
Retractable lens design requires a manual twist to extend before shooting, which can be cumbersome.
Flare management can be a weak point, with visible artifacts when shooting directly into the sun.

Expert reviews

ephotozine.com

23/05/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S as an "Editor's Choice" ultra-wide zoom, featuring outstanding central sharpness from f/4 to f/8, excellent flare resistance, and minimal chromatic aberration. Its, lightweight 485g design offers dust and moisture resistance, while the flat front element accepts standard 82mm filters, making it highly suitable for landscape and travel photography. While the lens relies on mandatory in-camera distortion correction, it delivers excellent results, though some vignetting remains present. The primary drawbacks are the retractable zoom mechanism that requires a manual unlock to shoot and inherent vignetting, which are minor compared to its overall performance.

photographylife.com

24/10/2025

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review

The Photography Life review highlights the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S as a portable, travel-friendly ultra-wide zoom for landscapes, featuring a compact design and the ability to use standard 82mm filters, along with excellent center sharpness and minimal flare. However, it relies heavily on software for correction, with significant raw distortion and vignetting, along with average corner sharpness at 14mm and potential sample variation.

kenrockwell.com

01/04/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon 14-30mm Review - Ken Rockwell

Ken Rockwell praises the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S as an optically superb, lightweight, and compact ultra-wide zoom, highlighting its status as the first full-frame 14mm lens to accept standard 82mm filters. Key advantages include exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, zero visible distortion due to automatic in-camera correction, and excellent flare resistance, making it an ideal, portable choice for Nikon Z users. YouTube · However, the lens is limited by a fixed f/4 maximum aperture, making it less suitable for low-light scenarios, and it lacks built-in optical VR, relying on the camera body for stabilization. Additionally, the construction is primarily plastic rather than metal, and it is manufactured in Thailand. Despite these tradeoffs, its immense weight savings and performance make it a top, versatile option.

zsystemuser.com

01/05/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon 14-30mm f/4 S Lens Review

The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly compact, travel-friendly ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s mirrorless full-frame Z-mount system. A major pro of this lens is its physical design; weighing only 17.1 ounces and featuring a relatively flat front element, it uniquely allows the use of standard 82mm filters without requiring bulky adapters. Optically, the lens delivers excellent sharpness and high contrast in the center of the frame when wide open, especially in the 16-20mm range. It also handles flare remarkably well for a wide-angle lens and shows minimal chromatic aberration in its uncorrected RAW state. However, the lens falls short of Nikon's "Superior" S-line marketing claim due to significant optical compromises. Without software profiles, the lens exhibits severe vignetting (up to three stops in the corners) and substantial barrel distortion at 14mm. While lens corrections fix these issues, they can introduce digital artifacts, worsen corner noise, and cause slight color fringing. Additionally, sharpness drops off noticeably at the 30mm telephoto end, and the extreme corners never match the center's crispness at any focal length. Handling bugbears...

dxomark.com

10/05/2026

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S lens review - DXOMARK

The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S is a highly compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly ultra-wide zoom lens designed exclusively for full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras. A standout advantage of this lens is its relatively flat front element, making it the first 14mm lens capable of accepting standard 82mm screw-in filters. On the performance side, it delivers outstanding, best-in-class light transmission (averaging 4.1 T-stop) that minimizes ghosting and flare, which is highly beneficial for videographers who require consistent exposure levels while zooming. Additionally, it features excellent sharpness consistency between horizontal and vertical planes, a quiet stepping motor for autofocusing, weather-sealing against dust and moisture, and an integrated control ring for customizable settings. However, the lens relies heavily on built-in digital correction profiles to mask several optical compromises made for its compact form factor. When testing uncorrected RAW files, DXOMARK revealed heavy optical drawbacks, including very high barrel distortion (2.5%) and severe lateral chromatic aberration at the 14mm focal length, alongside prominent vignetting across all focal lengths when wide-open. Furthermore, its sharpness performance at the maximum F4 aperture is lackluster and restricted to...

photographylife.com

24/10/2025

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review - Verdict - Photography Life

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S is highlighted as an innovative, compact, and lightweight ultra-wide zoom, featuring a retractable design that supports 82mm screw-in filters. Pros include excellent center sharpness, fast autofocus, effective weather sealing, and minimal flare. Conversely, cons involve extreme raw distortion and heavy vignetting that require digital correction, good but not great corner sharpness at 14mm, and limited f/4 aperture for low-light work.

dustinabbott.net

30/04/2026

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S Review - DustinAbbott.net

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S is a highly portable wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount system, offering a versatile 14-30mm focal range with a constant f/4 maximum aperture. It is widely praised for its compact and lightweight design, weighing only 485 grams and measuring 85mm in length when retracted. The lens delivers excellent, high-contrast image quality and sharpness in the center across all focal lengths, which becomes uniformly sharp across the entire frame when stopped down to f/5.6. Autofocus is near-instantaneous and quiet for stills, powered by an effective stepping motor (STM). Furthermore, its physical design includes robust weather-sealing, effective Nano Crystal coating for flare resistance, a customizable control ring, and convenient 82mm screw-in filter threads. Despite its high popularity, the lens has several structural and optical drawbacks. Its compact size relies on a retractable design that requires the user to manually extend the lens before shooting, which can lead to missed shots. It lacks built-in optical stabilization (VR), resulting in noticeable edge-warping and wobble during handheld video recording when relying on camera-based stabilization. Optically, the lens...

pcmag.com

10/05/2026

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review - PCMag

The PCMag review highlights the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S as a highly portable, weather-sealed ultra-wide zoom, notable for being the first 14mm-capable lens with a flat front element allowing for standard 82mm filters. It provides excellent central sharpness and rapid, quiet autofocus suitable for both stills and video. However, the lens suffers from severe native barrel distortion at 14mm that necessitates software correction, and corner sharpness is soft at 30mm f/4. The review also notes an overly sensitive control ring.

amateurphotographer.com

16/04/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S review - Amateur Photographer

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly portable, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s Z-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. Its standout feature is a lightweight, retractable design that makes it 29% lighter and 32% shorter than F-mount equivalents like the 16-35mm f/4, allowing it to balance beautifully on Z-series bodies. A major design advantage is its flat front element with an 82mm filter thread, which completely eliminates the need for bulky, specialized filter adapters typically required by ultra-wide lenses. Additionally, it features weather sealing, a quiet stepping motor for autofocus, and a customizable control ring. Optically, the lens delivers its sharpest, peak performance at the 14mm wide end, especially when stopped down slightly to f/5.6 or f/8. Thanks to embedded profiles automatically applied to raw files, curvilinear distortions like barrel and pincushion bowing are virtually non-existent, and chromatic aberration is exceptionally well managed. However, the lens does suffer from a few notable drawbacks. Center sharpness noticeably drops off when shooting wide open at the 30mm telephoto end, requiring users to stop down to f/5.6 to find the sweet spot....

focus-review.com

24/08/2019

Summary of the review

Review Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S: spectacular wide-angle zoom - Focus Review

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly capable full-frame ultra-wide-angle zoom lens specifically engineered for Nikon’s mirrorless system. Weighing less than a pound (485 grams) and measuring under nine centimeters in length when retracted, this compact and robust S-series lens serves as an excellent option for travel and landscape photography. Optically, it delivers stellar performance with exceptional center sharpness that maximizes even at full aperture, as well as outstanding vignetting control that retains a high signal-to-noise ratio in the corners. Additionally, its quiet and rapid autofocus stepper motor renders it highly efficient for both photography and video applications. A major advantage of this lens is its flat front element, allowing photographers to easily use standard 82mm screw filters without the need for bulky and expensive 150mm filter adapters. Further pros include thorough weather-resistant sealing, a useful programmable focus ring, and total compatibility with the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) of the Nikon Z6 and Z7 cameras. However, the review notes a few distinct drawbacks, such as its modest maximum brightness of f/4 and a retail price exceeding 1,000 euros....

digitalphoto.de

11/06/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review: Ultra-Wide Angle of View

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a lightweight ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon's mirrorless full-frame cameras, scoring an impressive overall rating of 92.92% in lab testing. A major highlight of the lens is its exceptional distortion control, which earned a perfect score, alongside an overall optical imaging performance of 95.73%. Weighing just 481 grams, its highly portable build makes it a strongly recommended choice for Z6 and Z7 photographers seeking an expansive field of view. However, the lens faces typical wide-angle challenges regarding light falloff and edge sharpness. At its widest 14mm focal length and maximum open aperture (f/4), the lens exhibits a significant 31% drop in resolution at the corners compared to the center, as well as a noticeable vignetting of 1.7 exposure stops. Fortunately, these optical drawbacks improve drastically when stopping down and zooming in; at 30mm with a smaller aperture, the edge resolution drop-off shrinks to a mere 4%.

digitalkamera.de

30/04/2019

Summary of the review

Review: Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S - digitalkamera.de

The Digitalkamera review highlights the Nikon Z 14-30 mm f/4 S as a practical, lightweight (485g) ultra-wide-angle lens with an innovative collapsible design and a flat front element supporting standard 82mm filters. It features robust weather sealing, a customizable control ring, and fast, silent autofocus suitable for stills and video. Optically, the lens delivers excellent center sharpness, but the review reveals it heavily relies on digital corrections for extreme native barrel distortion at 14mm and significant vignetting across the zoom range. While center resolution is high, edge and corner sharpness are weak at the maximum f/4 aperture, requiring stopping down to f/5.6 or f/8 for optimal performance.

calumet.de

Keine Angabe

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 Review - Calumet

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a compact, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon's full-frame mirrorless system, weighing just 483 grams. A major design advantage is its flat front element, which features an 82mm filter thread that allows photographers to screw standard filters directly onto the lens—a rare and highly convenient feature for an ultra-wide zoom. Built with an elegant, durable chassis that complements Nikon Z cameras, the lens delivers fast, accurate, and silent autofocus performance. It is highly versatile, making it an excellent choice for landscape, architectural, and astro-photography. In terms of optical performance, the lens delivers impressive sharpness across the entire frame, even when shooting wide open at its constant f/4 maximum aperture. Linear distortion is also exceptionally well-controlled, ensuring straight architectural lines without requiring extensive post-processing corrections. However, the review highlights a couple of minor trade-offs, including the maximum aperture being limited to f/4 rather than a brighter f/2.8, and the typical wide-angle edge distortions that usually plague this lens category, though they are minimized effectively here. Priced at €1,229 (including VAT), it represents...

lichtrebell.com

18/03/2025

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 vs. Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

The Lichtrebell review highlights the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S as a versatile, sharp, and lightweight option for landscape and architecture, boasting excellent center resolution and useful 1:5.5 magnification. However, it suffers from slow autofocus in close-up scenarios, limited light-gathering at f/4, and significant image softening due to diffraction at f/16. Conversely, the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is deemed optically superior for low-light, astrophotography, and video, offering better handling of diffraction at narrower apertures. While sharper overall, the 14-24mm f/2.8 lacks the 30mm reach of the f/4 version and experiences softness at f/22, leading to a recommendation for focus stacking at f/8 for maximum quality.

zielfoto.com

15/02/2024

Summary of the review

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S - Target Photo

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens earns a strong 4.7 out of 5 stars from its community, with 98% of users willing to buy it again due to its practical ultra-wide capabilities. Reviewers heavily praise its compact, lightweight design and the innovative flat front element, which easily accommodates standard 82mm screw-in filters without requiring bulky adapters. It is highly celebrated as an ideal, flexible choice for landscape, mountain hiking, and architectural photography. Users also note that the autofocus is quick, quiet, and reliable, and while the lens itself lacks optical stabilization, it pairs flawlessly with Nikon's in-body image stabilization (IBIS). On the downside, some compromises in build and optical performance are highlighted. The lens uses a retractable locking mechanism that requires extending before use, creating an unaccustomed learning curve for some photographers. Optically, users report noticeable corner distortion at the widest 14mm focal length and heavy vignetting when shooting without in-camera software corrections. Furthermore, a reviewer pointed out that the lens hood lacks a cutout window, making it annoying to rotate circular polarizing filters without entirely removing the...

lesnumeriques.com

21/07/2020

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens Review - Les Numériques

The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly compact, lightweight ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless Z-mount system. Weighing just 485 grams and featuring a retractable design, it integrates perfectly with camera bodies like the Nikon Z6 and Z7. The review highlights its exceptional control over image distortion and chromatic aberrations, even at the widest 14mm focal length, making it a stellar option for landscape and architectural photography. Additionally, it features robust weather-sealing to protect against dust and moisture, and uniquely avoids a heavily bulbous front element, allowing photographers to easily screw on standard 82mm filters. On the downside, the lens delivers slightly softer and less homogeneous image quality at its maximum f/4 aperture, particularly in the corners at 14mm, though sharpness peaks beautifully when stopped down to f/5.6. It lacks built-in optical image stabilization, relying instead on the camera body's sensor-shift stabilization. Furthermore, vignetting is heavily pronounced at 14mm f/4 and persists across smaller apertures without completely disappearing. Finally, the review notes that the constant f/4 aperture yields a less-than-perfect bokeh, making it a poor...

phototrend.fr

24/09/2020

Summary of the review

Review: Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S, a compact and lightweight ultra-wide-angle zoom for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras

The Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S is a highly portable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras, offering strong center sharpness right from its maximum f/4 aperture. Testing revealed a remarkably lightweight (485 g) and compact build featuring weather sealing, a customizable control ring, and a unique flat front element that allows standard 82 mm circular filters to be screwed on directly. The lens delivers excellent versatility for travel, landscape, and architectural photography, backed by an incredibly fast, quiet, and reliable multi-group stepper motor autofocus system. It also manages lens flare and chromatic aberrations exceptionally well, producing beautiful 14-point starburst effects when stopped down. However, the lens does compromise on extreme corner performance, showing noticeably soft details and heavy vignetting at 14 mm when shot wide open at f/4. Achieving maximum edge-to-edge sharpness requires stopping down the lens to f/5.6 or f/8. The review highlights that the lens relies heavily on in-camera software profiles to stretch and correct heavy distortion, which results in slightly smeared cornerscontextual(citationKey="0.1.1", source...

nikonpassion.com

20/06/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S review: A nearly perfect, versatile wide-angle zoom lens

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly portable, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s mirrorless Z system that achieves excellent optical performance through a combination of physical engineering and integrated digital corrections. Weighing 489 grams and measuring 85mm when retracted, its compact design balances perfectly on bodies like the Nikon Z7. The lens delivers outstanding sharpness across the entire frame, peaking at f/5.6, while maintaining nearly imperceptible vignetting and completely straight, undistorted lines due to its seamless hardware and software symbiosis. Additionally, it features high-quality weather sealing, an identical 82mm filter thread to the 24-70mm f/2.8 S, a highly precise, silent autofocus system, and a versatile 14-30mm range that minimizes the need for frequent lens swaps. On the downside, the lens has a modest maximum aperture of f/4, making it less ideal for shooters who prioritize low-light performance or want to create deep background blur. Because it features a 7-blade circular diaphragm and requires getting as close as 28cm to the subject to isolate it, it is not well-suited for producing high-quality bokeh. The lens lacks built-in optical...

desnoulez.fr

13/12/2025

Summary of the review

Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S: Field Test, Review, and Photos

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly practical, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for landscape, travel, and architectural photography. A key benefit highlighted in the review is its excellent sharpness from edge to edge starting right at full aperture, along with a lightweight, retractable design weighing only 485 grams. It delivers highly effective flare suppression and produces beautiful 14-point sunstars when stopped down to f/22. For architectural work, its mandatory automatic software correction seamlessly eliminates visible barrel distortion directly within the electronic viewfinder, JPEG files, and Lightroom RAW workflows. Additionally, its flat front element utilizes a standard 82mm filter thread, making it a rare ultra-wide option that allows photographers to seamlessly stack circular screw-on ND and polarizing filters without bulky holder systems. On the downside, the lens depends entirely on permanent digital profiles for distortion correction, meaning users cannot turn off this software-enforced optimization. It must also be manually extended to its 14mm position before you can take an image, requiring an extra setup step during field deployment. While the lens pairs wonderfully with Nikon's in-body image stabilization...

shots.fr

05/06/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor 14-30 F4 S Nikon Z: A certain idea of perfection.

The Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S is highly praised by reviewer Hervé Le Gall as a breakthrough ultra-wide zoom for the Nikon Z system, offering a "dream focal range" that challenges traditional f/2.8 lenses. Tested on a Nikon Z6, the lens delivers exceptional real-world performance, producing flawless images with outstanding sharpness, vibrant color depth, and great dynamic range when processed in Capture One Pro. The reviewer notes that its massive Z-mount diameter paired with a short flange distance marks a decisive long-term technical advantage for Nikon over rivals like Sony. Key Pros and Cons from the Review Pros: Exceptional Portability: At just 105mm long and weighing 522g, it is remarkably light and compact. Versatile Focal Lengths: Provides an ultra-wide 14-30mm field of view, which easily transforms into a 21-45mm walkaround range when used in DX crop mode. Superb Image Quality: Delivers stellar edge-to-edge sharpness, high contrast, and excellent performance even in backlit conditions. Reasonable Pricing: Marketed at a competitive public launch price of €1,440 TTC. Facebook ·Canon EOS 90 Cons: Aperture Limits: The fixed f/4 aperture might disappoint photographers who strictly...

phototrend.fr

22/01/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens: Hands-on and First Impressions

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a lightweight and compact ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon's full-frame mirrorless Z system, balancing a versatile focal range from 14mm up to a standard 30mm. Weighing only 485 grams and measuring 89mm when retracted, it serves as a highly portable alternative to heavier DSLR counterparts like the 14-24mm f/2.8 and 16-35mm f/4 lenses. A major physical highlight is its flat front element, made possible by the wide Z-mount design, which uniquely allows landscape and architecture photographers to screw on standard 82mm circular filters without needing bulky external filter holders. Optically, the lens delivers excellent overall image quality with impressive uniformity and sharpness stretching all the way to the edges of the frame, even when shooting wide open at f/4. It also boasts a short minimum focusing distance of 28cm, making it highly effective for close-up shots with smooth background blur. On the downside, the reviewer noted a tendency for images to appear slightly underexposed, requiring minor exposure corrections in post-processing. Additionally, notable vignetting is visible when shooting wide open at f/4 compared...

nikonland.it

22/03/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4S: The Little Genius

The Nikonland.it review highlights the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4S as a compact, lightweight "little genius" for travel and landscape, featuring a flat front element that supports standard 82mm filters. Its optical performance boasts excellent color rendition and fast, precise, and quiet stepping-motor autofocus. Conversely, the lens requires significant, mandatory in-camera or software distortion correction due to heavy native vignetting and distortion, showing a reliance on digital rather than pure optical correction. Additionally, the constant f/4 aperture makes it less suitable for extreme low-light scenarios compared to faster alternatives.

nikonland.it

28/02/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S: my view from Sicily

This review from Nikonland highly praises the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S as an innovative ultra-wide zoom lens tested extensively during an excursion in Sicily. The reviewer emphasizes its record-breaking compact size and light weight (485 grams, 89 x 85mm), which pairs perfectly with the Nikon Z6 camera to fit easily into smaller photo bags. Optically, the lens stands out for its flat front lens design that uniquely allows the use of standard 82mm screw-in filters without requiring bulky specialized adapters. It is celebrated for offering excellent color rendering, high image sharpness across the entire frame, and robust resistance to reflections, flares, and ghosts even under direct sunlight. The core advantages highlighted in the review include virtually zero linear distortion (greatly aided by Nikon’s integrated in-camera software corrections), a highly precise, silent autofocus motor, and a custom-programmable focus ring that benefits videographers. Additionally, its retractable locking mechanism enhances portability while protecting the inner barrel from sand, dust, and moisture. On the downside, the reviewer notes a subjective complaint regarding the locking position mechanism, stating it is not their favorite physical...

nikonland.it

17/06/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4: Comprehensive Review

The Nikonland field review praises the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S as a portable, high-performance lens featuring a flat front element for standard 82mm filters, excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, and quick, quiet autofocus. While ideal for travel, the lens relies on mandatory in-camera corrections to fix extreme native barrel distortion and vignetting, and its f/4 aperture provides less low-light flexibility than faster options. For the full, original review, visit Nikonland.

juzaphoto.com

22/07/2024

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a lightweight and compact ultra-wide-angle lens for mirrorless cameras, highly regarded for its portability and suitability in travel and landscape photography. According to the review and user forum feedback, the lens delivers excellent sharpness at the center of the frame across all focal lengths, even at its widest aperture of f/4. It effortlessly handles 24-megapixel sensors and is expected to perform well centrally on higher 45-megapixel bodies. Additional advantages include the ability to use standard front screw-on filters—a rare feature for a 14mm lens—built-in software corrections that effectively eliminate distortion and chromatic aberration, and excellent resistance to flare when shooting against the light. However, the primary drawback of this lens is its optical performance in the corners. Corner sharpness is notably weak at 14mm when shooting wide open and remains only acceptable when stopped down to f/11. Performance improves at intermediate focal lengths but drops again at 30mm, requiring users to close down the aperture to achieve crisp edges. Furthermore, users noted a limited close-focusing distance that restricts its use for environmental close-up...

fotografiamoderna.it

10/11/2021

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S: Review and Features

The Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly praised ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for Nikon’s mirrorless system, offering excellent performance in a remarkably portable form factor. Weighing just 485 grams and featuring a retractable locking mechanism, it shares a physical size similar to the 24-70mm f/4 lens, making it exceptionally lightweight and travel-friendly. Built with 14 elements in 13 groups—including 4 aspherical and 4 ED glass elements—the lens delivers impressive central sharpness, particularly at f/4 and f/5.6. Additionally, it features robust weather-sealing, a fluorine front coating to easily repel dust and moisture, and a fast, nearly silent AF-P stepper motor that provides highly accurate autofocus. A major advantage of this lens is its ability to accept standard, slim 82mm filters without severe vignetting, a rare feat for a 14mm ultra-wide zoom. Other pros include minimal lens flare, easily correctable chromatic aberration, and outstanding overall sharpness. However, the review highlights several cons: the lens suffers from strong distortion at its widest 14mm focal length, and its corner sharpness at 14mm is only good rather than exceptional. It is also quite...

nikonland.it

17/06/2019

Summary of the review

Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4: Comprehensive Review

This review of the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S lens on Nikonland.it frames the optic as an embodiment of Nikon's modern "computational photography" philosophy for the Z mount mirrorless system. The author evaluates the lens by synthesizing hands-on feedback from real-world field testers and prominent international reviewers. The core takeaway is that the lens relies heavily on automatic, baked-in software adjustments (via camera firmware and RAW processors like Adobe Lightroom) to deliver highly corrected, clean files, leaving photographers free to focus on composition rather than technical imperfections. The review outlines clear pros and cons regarding the lens's design and performance: Pros: The primary advantages are its exceptional compactness (measuring just 83mm) and ultra-light weight (under 500 grams), making it an ideal choice for travel kits. It is highly praised for its outstanding flare resistance in harsh backlight and its ability to provide sharp, vibrant, and high-contrast images at a relatively acceptable price point. Additionally, unlike traditional ultra-wide lenses with convex front glass, its flat front element allows users to easily screw on standard 100mm filter holders or 82mm filters. Cons:...

frankwandelt.nl

12/08/2021

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4.0 S: Reviews & Tests

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4.0 S is a highly praised full-frame ultragroothoekzoom (ultra-wide-angle zoom) lens designed specifically for Nikon's Z-mount mirrorless cameras, such as the Z6 and Z7. Reviewers consistently highlight its exceptionally compact and lightweight body (485g), making it an ideal travel and landscape photography companion compared to its bulky DSLR predecessors. A standout innovation is its flat front element, making it the first lens of its kind to accommodate standard 82mm screw-on filters directly without the need for large, cumbersome filter adapters. Optically, the lens delivers remarkably sharp details across the entire image field, vibrant contrast, smooth and near-silent autofocus, and specialized cine-lens features like minimal focus breathing and reduced focus-shift, making it equally superb for video creators. Despite earning prestigious industry awards and glowing expert ratings, the lens does have a few notable limitations. Its maximum aperture is limited to a constant f/4.0, which restricts its capability in very low-light conditions or for astrophotography when compared to faster f/2.8 alternatives. Reviewers also noted distinct vignetting (light fall-off) when shooting wide open at f/4.0, though this can be...

digifotopro.nl

01/08/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 Review

The DIGIFOTO Pro review of the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 highlights it as an excellent ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that aligns perfectly with the size, weight, and performance of Nikon's mirrorless Z-series bodies. Tested by Dré de Man, the lens received a Platinum Award for its outstanding combination of optical capability and practical, user-friendly design. The lab testing revealed that while the lens automatically corrects for distortion and color fringing, these aberrations remain remarkably minimal even when the electronic profile corrections are completely turned off. Additionally, the lens features a highly responsive and fast autofocus mechanism, robust dust and splash-proof weather sealing, and a flat front lens element with a Cornea coating that exceptionally minimizes internal reflections and ghosting. The reviewer clarifies that early mixed testing from other outlets was likely caused by sloppy execution, noting that this ultra-wide optic requires proper handling to truly shine. A notable characteristic is its sharpness distribution: testing the lens at close proximity (such as 70 centimeters) yields suboptimal results, whereas shooting from a distance of four meters or more unlocks superb corner sharpness starting...

focus-review.com

24/08/2019

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Review: Spectacular Wide-Angle Zoom

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a highly capable and groundbreaking ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for Nikon's full-frame mirrorless Z-system. A standout achievement of its optical design is its spectacularly low vignetting, which preserves an excellent signal-to-noise ratio in the corners of full-frame sensors. The lens delivers maximum center sharpness right at full aperture (f/4), and while corner sharpness improves when stopping down, it remains remarkably high across all focal lengths. Optically, it even surpasses the classic F-mount Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED in corner sharpness and overall image quality, while featuring a highly quiet and swift autofocus stepper motor that takes just 0.2 seconds to focus from infinity to 1.5 meters. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding the lens's physical build and usability. On the positive side (pros), it features an incredibly compact and robust extendable design, weighing under a pound (485 grams) and measuring less than 9 cm long for easy transport. It is fully weather-sealed, features a moisture-resistant fluoride coating on the front element, and uniquely accommodates standard 82 mm screw-on filters—a...

digitalefotografievakantie.nl

12/05/2022

Summary of the review

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4.0 S: Review and Test Results

The review covers the Nikon 14-30mm f/4 S wide-angle zoom lens tested on a Nikon Z6 camera, praising its exceptional, best-in-class image quality. The reviewer awards the lens an overall score of 9.0 out of 10, highlighting outstanding performance areas like optical sharpness (9.5) and minimal vignetting (10.0). A major pro of this lens is its Nano Crystal Coating, which proves incredibly effective at preventing lens flare and maintaining clear details in both highlights and shadows, even when shooting directly into the sun. Conversely, the main con highlighted is the severe perspective distortion and converging lines typical of such an extreme wide-angle focal length. While Nikon promotes it for architecture and interior photography, the reviewer advises against this because keeping the camera perfectly level to avoid warping is highly impractical in daily use, and digital perspective correction causes a major loss in focal width. Ultimately, the reviewer deems it an incredibly sharp but specialized lens, recommending it strictly for expansive landscapes where geometric distortion is less noticeable.

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