Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/4 S — Which Is Better?
Side by side42 specifications |
Nikon · f/2.8 · Nikon Z mount
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S
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WINNER
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Nikon · f/4 · Nikon Z mount
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/4 S
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SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm F/4 S are S-Line standard zooms for the Nikon Z mount, each covering the same 24-70mm range on full frame. That shared coverage makes either a one-lens walkaround option for a Z body, and the choice turns on how much aperture speed you need. The F/4 S arrived in 2018, a year before the F/2.8 S in 2019. | ||
| Release Year | 2019 | 2018 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
I | N/A |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
S-Line | S-Line |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 100/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe F/4 S is the lighter, more compact carry for travel. It weighs 500 g against 805 g for the F/2.8 S, a 305 g saving, and measures 88.5 mm long against 126 mm, so it packs flatter in a camera bag between shots. The two lenses use different front filters, 82mm on the F/2.8 S and 72mm on the F/4 S, so a polariser bought for one does not screw directly onto the other. Both use the Nikon Z mount, and the F/2.8 S runs the larger 89 mm barrel against 77.5 mm. | ||
| Lens Weight | 805 g | 500 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
89 mm | 77.5 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
126 mm | 88.5 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
82 mm | 72 mm |
| Optics | 81/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe F/2.8 S is the better pick for low-light subjects and portraits, because its f/2.8 maximum aperture holds across the entire zoom range where the F/4 S never opens beyond f/4. The wider aperture keeps shutter speeds usable for indoor ceremonies or candlelit rooms, and gives shallower depth of field for separating a subject at 70mm. Close work favours the F/4 S instead. It focuses to 30 cm against 38 cm, and its maximum magnification reaches 0.3x against 0.22x, so flowers and detail shots fill more of the frame. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
24–70 mm | 24–70 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2.8 | 4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 84.07°–34.35° | 84.07°–34.35° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
16 mm | 16 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
9020 | 7020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Mechanism ⓘSystem enabling zoom function |
 Manual | Manual |
Zoom Ring ⓘIf zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Type ⓘThe design or approach to zooming |
 Rotary | Rotary |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
38 cm01500 | 30 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.22x | 0.3x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing and a fluorine coating on the front element are shared, so both lenses are built for outdoor shooting and wipe clean of fingerprints and smudges easily. Neither offers in-lens stabilisation or teleconverter compatibility. Autofocus and a manual focusing ring are available on both, along with manual override for taking over focus by hand. Neither has a zoom lock to stop the barrel creeping downward in a bag. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal | Petal |
Zoom Lock ⓘZoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length |
✗ | ✗ |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 31/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe F/4 S uses internal focusing, so its barrel stays a fixed length while you focus, which helps when working close to a subject or inside tight spaces. The F/2.8 S does not, and instead builds a larger 17-element, 15-group optical path. The F/4 S packs four aspherical elements against one in the F/2.8 S, plus two low-dispersion elements against one, giving it more of both aberration-correcting element types. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
17 | 14 |
| Groups | 15 | 11 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 4 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
1 | 2 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the F/2.8 S if you shoot weddings, events or portraits where the light is poor and subject separation matters, because its constant f/2.8 aperture gives shutter speed and background blur the F/4 S cannot match.
Choose the F/4 S for landscape, travel and general walkaround photography, where you usually stop down anyway. It is the lighter lens, focuses 8 cm closer, reaches 0.3x magnification against 0.22x, and focuses internally, with weather sealing and a fluorine coating too.