Nikon NIKKOR Z 24 120mm F 4 S Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is described as an exceptional all-around, lightweight (630g) mid-range zoom, lauded for delivering very high center sharpness, impressive corner-to-corner performance, and a versatile 0.39x maximum magnification for close-up work. Its robust build includes weather sealing and, with fast, quiet autofocus, it is highly rated for varied shooting conditions. However, the lens lacks built-in vibration reduction (VR), making it unsuitable for non-IBIS camera bodies like the Z50, and relies heavily on in-camera corrections to manage significant distortion and vignetting at 24mm. Other limitations include a dual-telescoping design with higher physical impact vulnerability, minor field curvature in extreme corners, and a slightly busy bokeh compared to primes.

The Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S is a highly versatile 5x zoom lens praised for expanding the traditional 24-105mm range into a more useful telephoto reach while maintaining a constant f/4 maximum aperture. Built as a premium S-line optic, it features extensive weather sealing with 11 internal seals, a fluorine coating, and a unique dual stepping motor system that provides fast, quiet, and smooth autofocus for both stills and video work. Optically, the lens delivers impressive real-world sharpness across most of the frame, showing exceptional performance at its wide and telephoto extremes, minimal longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations, and highly effective flare resistance due to Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings. Additionally, it boasts an impressive 0.39x maximum magnification with a constant 35cm minimum focus distance, offering strong macro-style close-up capability, all while weighing a relatively lightweight 630g. Despite these strengths, the review highlights several compromises, most notably the complete absence of built-in optical Vibration Reduction (VR), which heavily limits performance on camera bodies that lack in-body image stabilization. While center sharpness is exceptional, there are noticeable drop-offs in contrast and...

The Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a highly versatile standard zoom lens for Nikon's full-frame mirrorless system, offering an attractive blend of a 5x zoom ratio and a constant f/4 aperture at a reasonable $1,000 price point. Optically, the lens delivers an outstandingly sharp image center throughout the entire zoom range right from f/4, along with snappy border quality and generally well-controlled lateral chromatic aberrations. It boasts impressive close-focusing capabilities with a 0.39x maximum magnification that approaches macro territory. Additional pros include its fast, silent stepping-motor autofocus system, robust weather sealing, a sturdy overall feel, and the ability to produce pleasing sunstar effects when stopped down to f/11 or f/16. However, the lens does come with several distinct drawbacks and design trade-offs. Its most notable optical con is a strong field curvature in the corners at the 24mm wide-end setting, requiring users to manually adjust focus forward for optimal results in landscape shots. Mechanically, it utilizes a duo-cam zoom design that causes the lens to extend significantly and double in length with the hood attached, raising long-term durability concerns....

The DPReview hands-on report highlights the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S as a versatile, premium "S-line" zoom, featuring a lighter, travel-friendly design (630 grams) and robust handling with five external controls, including a programmable L-Fn button and a clickless control ring. Notably, the lens offers excellent close-up capabilities, achieving a 1:2.6 reproduction ratio at 120mm for pseudo-macro shooting. While center sharpness is strong, the review notes potential drawbacks, including an extending, telescoping barrel that increases in length, making it less robust over time compared to internal-zoom designs. Early testing also identified some corner softness at specific focal lengths, though its overall performance is high.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a highly versatile mid-range zoom lens that balances focal reach with exceptional performance, running rings around its older F-mount predecessors. It stands out as significantly lighter and shorter than the DSLR version when adapted, weighing 7.5 ounces less. On the positive side (Pros), the lens boasts exceptional central sharpness from 24mm to 70mm even wide open at f/4. It offers near-macro capabilities with a close focusing distance of 15 inches and a 1:2.4 maximum magnification. Furthermore, autofocus is rapid and quiet, coma is extremely well controlled, and its specialized Nano and Arneo coatings handle flare beautifully. However, the lens does come with notable drawbacks (Cons), particularly at its telephoto end. Sharpness drops to "very good" in the center and "fair" in the extreme FX corners at 120mm. There is pronounced corner vignetting nearing 2 stops at both 24mm and 120mm focal lengths, along with noticeable onion skinning and bright edging in the bokeh. Handling issues include minor focus shift toward infinity, potential focus hunting in low-contrast conditions, and the absence of built-in...

In his review on Photo Art from Science, Edward Dozier highly praises the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S as an exceptional, cost-effective "walk-about" lens that shatters the stereotype that 5x zoom lenses produce poor results. Testing the lens on Nikon Z8 and Z9 bodies, he notes that its resolution outperforms his older $2,400 F-mount 24-70mm f/2.8 lens at every focal length and aperture. A surprising highlight is its 0.42x near-macro capability at 120mm with a 35cm minimum focus distance, which allows it to rival dedicated macro lenses like the 105mm Micro-Nikkor. Additionally, it features a weather-sealed body, quick and quiet internal dual stepping autofocus motors, excellent flare resistance due to advanced coatings, and flawless deep infrared performance (850nm) with zero hotspots. Despite the stellar performance, the reviewer highlights several optical and physical limitations. Mechanically, the zoom ring is noted as exceptionally stiff, making adjustments to a precise millimeter difficult, and the dual-telescoping pieces could pose a long-term vulnerability. Optically, the lens relies heavily on modern raw editor profile corrections to mask its significant native barrel distortion at 24mm and pincushion...

The Photography Life review highlights the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S as a top-tier, versatile zoom lens offering exceptional center sharpness and consistent, high-resolution performance across its focal range. Key pros include a lightweight, weather-sealed build and a strong 0.39x maximum magnification for close-up work. Conversely, the lens has visible field curvature in the corners at wide angles, alongside higher levels of lateral chromatic aberration from 24mm to 35mm. Other cons include a dual telescoping barrel design and the lack of optical vibration reduction, requiring reliance on in-body stabilization.

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a highly versatile 5x standard zoom lens designed for full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras, acting as the modern successor to the popular F-mount DSLR version. Building on the optical advantages of the larger Z-mount circumference and closer proximity to the sensor, it delivers impressive sharpness across the entire zoom range, extending into the extreme corners of the frame. Key pros of this lens include its flexible focal range, high-quality build with extensive weather-sealing, and customizable handling features like the L-fn button and de-clicked control ring. Performance-wise, it stands out with fast, near-silent autofocus, minimal focus breathing for video, and negligible levels of color fringing and distortion thanks to in-camera corrections. However, the lens does come with a few notable drawbacks. It is physically larger and heavier (weighing 630g) than the more compact Z 24-70mm f/4 S, and it lacks the faster f/2.8 aperture of the high-end trinity zoom. Crucially, the lens omits optical Vibration Reduction (VR). While this lack of built-in stabilization is not an issue for full-frame Nikon Z cameras that feature In-Body...

The Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens delivers exceptionally high resolution, with outstanding central sharpness from f/4 to f/11 across the focal range, while maintaining excellent edge-to-edge performance even at 120mm. The optical design effectively eliminates chromatic aberration, and the dual-motor autofocus is fast, precise, and nearly silent. Key advantages include remarkable sharpness, low distortion, high flare resistance, smooth bokeh, and a versatile 0.35m close-focusing distance. Limitations are minimal, mainly consisting of expected diffraction softening at f/22 and the lack of built-in optical stabilization, relying instead on in-body image stabilization (IBIS).

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f4 S is a highly recommended 5x zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras that significantly outclasses its F-mount predecessor in optical performance. It delivers exceptional sharpness across the frame with almost no field curvature or color fringing, handling challenging backlit conditions and flare remarkably well. Key advantages include its constant f/4.0 maximum aperture, a highly functional extra control button and dedicated focus ring, a superb maximum close-up magnification of 1:2.4, and extensive weather sealing to protect against the elements. Additionally, focus breathing is minimal, making it a strong choice for video work. However, the lens does come with notable drawbacks, most significantly the complete lack of built-in optical image stabilization. While full-frame Z-mount users can rely on internal camera body stabilization to achieve a respectable 4 stops of correction, cropped DX-format bodies like the Z fc or Z 50 will suffer from a total lack of stabilization. Furthermore, the lens is neither particularly small nor light, the zoom mechanism suffers from slight creep, and it is not a true parfocal lens, requiring autofocus or manual correction...

The core advantages of the lens include its admirable and sharp image quality across the entire zoom range, a constant f/4 maximum aperture, solid build quality, and a relatively lightweight footprint for its class. Vibrant colors and high sharpness make it a great choice for high-resolution sensors, even when relying on a 1.5x DX crop mode. On the downside, the primary con is its overall bulky physical size. Furthermore, because it is capped at f/4, it lacks the extreme "wow factor" or background isolation of faster prime lenses and can be somewhat limited during low-light sessions unless paired with a tripod or in-body image stabilization.