Best Lenses for Nikon Z5, Z6 III, Zf, Z7 II, Z8 and Z9 Cameras

In August 2018, Nikon introduced the Nikon Z6 and Z7 as its first mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with an FX (aka full-frame) sensor and a new lens mount, called the Z-mount. The current camera models include the entry-level Nikon Z5, the mid-range Nikon Z6 III, its retro style sibling Nikon Zf, the high-resolution Nikon Z7 II, the high-end yet compact Nikon Z8 and the flagship Nikon Z9 with a 46 MP sensor and 8K video.

This page provides an overview of the growing catalog of Z-mount FX lenses. These are mostly autofocus lenses, but selected manual focus lenses may also be included. Manual focus lenses are marked by an asterisk (*), purely mechanical lenses with no digital coupling to the camera by a double asterisk (**). Z-mount lenses with a smaller DX image circle are listed separately.

For every lens, the following major characteristics are given:

  • Focal length.
  • Maximum aperture. It has a strong influence on the lighting conditions under which the lens can be used, and how shallow the depth of field can be. Fast lenses also tend to be much bigger, heavier, and more expensive. Green labels indicate fast lenses (> f/2), red labels indicate slow lenses (< f/4).
  • Filter size. It serves as a representative of the length, diameter and weight of the lens. Green labels indicate compact lenses (filter size < 60 mm), red labels indicate big lenses (> 70 mm).
  • Minimum focus distance (MFD). It has a major influence on the magnification that can be achieved, as well as the depth of field.
  • Another important point is of course the price, but it is different in every market and currency. Instead, plenty of links to independent reviews are provided to help you find the best lens for your needs.

1 Prime lenses

Lenses with a fixed focal length.

1.1 Fisheye lenses

Ultra wide angle lenses with purposeful strong distortions.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews

1.2 Wide angle lenses

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Laowa AF 10 mm 2.8 Zero-D FF 77 0.12 m OL
Viltrox AF 16 mm 1.8 Z 77 mm 0.27 m OL
Nikon Nikkor Z 20 mm 1.8 S 77 mm 0.20 m CL, LT
Viltrox AF 20 mm 2.8 Z 52 mm 0.19 m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 24 mm 1.8 S 72 mm 0.25 m CL, LT
Viltrox AF 24 mm 1.8 Z 55 mm 0.30 m CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 26 mm 2.8   52 mm 0.20 m CL, LT, TP
Viltrox AF 28 mm 1.8 Z 55 mm 0.37 m TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 28 mm 2.8   52 mm 0.33 m CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm 1.4   62 mm 0.27 m CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 35 mm 1.8 S 62 mm 0.25 m CL, DP, LT, OL
Viltrox AF 35 mm 1.8 Z 55 mm 0.40 m CL, TP
Yongnuo YN 35 mm 2 Z DF DSM 52 mm 0.35 m  

1.3 Standard lenses

Lenses with a focal length around the image sensor diagonal of 43 mm, delivering very natural looking images.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 40 mm 2   52 mm 0.29 m CL, LT
Viltrox AF 40 mm 2.5 Z 52 mm 0.34 m OL
*Voigtländer Nokton 50 mm 1.0   62 mm 0.45 m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1.2 S 82 mm 0.45 m CL, LT
7Artisans AF 50 mm 1.8   62 mm 0.50 m  
Meike AF 50 mm 1.8   58 mm 0.63 m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm 1.8 S 62 mm 0.40 m CL, LT, OL
Viltrox AF 50 mm 1.8 Z 55 mm 0.55 m CL, LT
*Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 50 mm 2   52 mm 0.45 m CL
Yongnuo YN 50 mm 1.8 Z DF DSM 58 mm 0.45 m  
*Nikon Nikkor Z 58 mm 0.95 S Noct 82 mm 0.50 m CL

1.4 Telephoto lenses

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 85 mm 1.2 S 82 mm 0.85 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 85 mm 1.8 S 67 mm 0.76 m CL, LT, OL
Viltrox AF 85 mm 1.8 Z 72 mm 0.80  
Yongnuo YN 85 mm 1.8 Z DF DSM 58 mm 0.80 m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 135 mm 1.8 S Plena 82 mm 0.82 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm 2.8 TC VR S n/a 2.50 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 400 mm 4.5 VR S 95 mm 2.50 m CL, LT, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 600 mm 4 TC VR S n/a 4.30 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 600 mm 6.3 VR S n/a 4.00 m CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 800 mm 6.3 VR S n/a 5.00 m CL

1.5 Macro lenses

Lenses with a small minimum focus distance and a high magnification.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 mm 2.8   46 mm   CL
Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105 mm 2.8 VR S 62 mm   CL

2 Zoom lenses

Lenses with a variable focal length.

2.1 Wide angle zoom lenses

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 14-24 mm 2.8 S (112) mm 0.28 m CL, DP
Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30 mm 4 S 82 mm 0.28 m CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z 17-28 mm 2.8   67 mm 0.19 m TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50 mm 4-6.3   52 mm 0.35 m CL

2.2 Standard zoom lenses

Zoom range from moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70 mm 2.8 S 82 mm 0.38 m CL, DP, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70 mm 4 S 72 mm 0.30 m CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-105 mm   S      
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120 mm 4 S 77 mm 0.35 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 mm 2.8   67 mm 0.19 m CL, LT
Tamron Di III VXD G2 28-75 mm 2.8   67 mm 0.18-0.38 m CL
Tamron Di III VXD 35-150 mm 2-2.8   82 mm 0.33-0.85 m  

2.3 Superzoom lenses

Like standard zooms, but with an approximately 10x zoom range.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200 mm 4-6.3 VR 67 mm 0.50 m CL, OL
Nikon Nikkor Z 28-400 mm 4-8 VR 77 mm 0.20-1.20 m CL, TP

2.4 Telephoto zoom lenses

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180 mm 2.8   67 mm 0.27-0.85 m CL, TP
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm 2.8 VR S 77 mm 0.50 m CL, LT
Tamron Di III RXD 70-300 mm 4.5-6.3   67 mm 0.80-1.50 m CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm 4.5-5.6 VR S 77 mm 0.75-0.98 m CL, TP
Tamron Di III VC VXD 150-500 mm 5-6.7   82 mm 0.60-1.80 m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600 mm 5.6-6.3 VR 95 mm 1.30- m CL, TP

3 Teleconverters

Teleconverters extend the focal length of matching telephoto lenses by a certain factor.

Lens         Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon TC-1.4x 1.4x     n/a n/a CL
Nikon TC-2.0x 2x     n/a n/a CL

References

The linked reviews are by Amateur Photographer (AP), CameraLabs (CL), DPReview (DP), LensTip (LT), OpticalLimits (OL), The Phoblographer (TP), and others. LensTip and OpticalLimits focus on laboratory testing, the others on real-world photography.