Best Z-Mount Lenses for Nikon Z5, Z6 II, 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. Current camera models include the entry-level Nikon Z5, the mid-range Z6 II, the high-resolution Z7 II, the mid-size high-end Z8 and the flagship Nikon Z9 with a 46 MP sensor and 8K video.

This page provides an overview of the growing catalog of FX Z-mount lenses. These are mostly autofocus lenses, but selected manual focus lenses may also be included. Z-mount lenses for cameras with a smaller DX sensor 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, links to independent reviews are given which will help you to find the best lens for your needs.

Note that additional designations such as VR that are not necessary to identify a lens are omitted. Manual focus lenses are marked by an asterisk (*), purely mechanical lenses with no digital coupling to the camera are marked by a double asterisk (**).

1 Prime lenses

Lenses with a fixed focal length.

1.1 Fisheye lenses

Ultra wide angle lenses with purposeful strong distortions.

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  

1.2 Wide angle lenses

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z S 20 1.8 77 0.20 CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z S 24 1.8 72 0.25 CL, LT
Viltrox AF Z 24 1.8 55 0.30 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 26 2.8 52 0.20 CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z 28 2.8 52 0.33 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 35 1.8 62 0.25 CL, DP, LT
Viltrox AF 35 1.8 55 0.42 CL
Yongnuo YN Z DF DSM 35 2 52 0.35  

1.3 Standard lenses

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

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 40 2 52 0.29 CL, LT
*Voigtländer Nokton 50 1.0 62 0.45  
Nikon Nikkor Z S 50 1.2 82 0.45 CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z S 50 1.8 62 0.40 CL, LT
Viltrox AF Z 50 1.8 55 0.55 CL
*Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 50 2 52 0.45 CL

1.4 Telephoto lenses

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
*Nikon Nikkor Z S Noct 58 0.95 82 0.50 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 85 1.2 82 0.85 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 85 1.8 67 0.76 CL, LT, OL
Viltrox AF Z 85 1.8      
Nikon Nikkor Z S Plena 135 1.8 82 0.82  
Nikon Nikkor Z TC S Sports 400 2.8     CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 400 4.5 95 2.50 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z TC S 600 4 n/a 4.30 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 800 6.3 n/a 5.00 CL

1.5 Macro lenses

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

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z MC 50 2.8 46   CL, OL
Nikon Nikkor Z MC S 105 2.8 62   CL

2 Zoom lenses

Lenses with a variable focal length.

2.1 Wide angle zoom lenses

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z S 14-24 2.8 (112) 0.28 CL, DP
Nikon Nikkor Z S 14-30 4 82 0.28 CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z 17-28 2.8 67 0.19  
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50 4-6.3 52 0.35 CL

2.2 Standard zoom lenses

Zoom range from moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto.

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z S 24-70 2.8 82 0.38 CL, DP, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z S 24-70 4 72 0.30 CL, LT
Nikon Nikkor Z S 24-105        
Nikon Nikkor Z S 24-120 4 77 0.35 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 2.8 67 0.19 CL

2.3 Superzoom lenses

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

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200 4-6.3 67 0.50 CL

2.4 Telephoto zoom lenses

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
    mm   mm m  
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180 2.8 67 0.27-0.85 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 70-200 2.8 77 0.50 CL, LT
Tamron Di III RXD 70-300 4.5-6.3 67 0.80-1.50 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z S 100-400 4.5-5.6 77 0.75-0.98 CL
Nikon Nikkor Z 180-600 5.6-6.3 95 1.30-  

3 Teleconverters

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

lens   focal length max aper­ture filter size MFD rvws
Nikon TC-1.4x 1.4x n/a n/a n/a CL
Nikon TC-2.0x 2x n/a n/a n/a CL

References

The linked reviews are by CameraLabs (CL), DPReview (DP), LensTip (LT), MirrorLessons (ML) and OpticalLimits (OL). LT and OL focus on laboratory testing, CL, DP and ML on real world photography. Links in brackets refer to tests of earlier models.