Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm F/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm F/1.8 S — Which Is Better?
Side by side37 specifications |
Nikon · f/1.8 · Nikon Z mount
Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm F/1.8 S
72
SCORE
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Nikon · f/1.8 · Nikon Z mount
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm F/1.8 S
72
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm F/1.8 S and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm F/1.8 S are both S-Line full frame primes for the Nikon Z mount, so the choice comes down to focal length and handling rather than system. Both offer the same fast f/1.8 maximum aperture. The 24mm arrived in 2019, and the 20mm followed in 2020. | ||
| Release Year | 2020 | 2019 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
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 24mm F/1.8 S is the more compact carry. It measures 96.5mm long and 78mm across, against 108.5mm and 84.5mm for the 20mm, and it weighs 450g against 505g, a 55g saving that suits travel and everyday shooting. Their filter threads differ, at 72mm on the 24mm and 77mm on the 20mm, so each takes its own direct-fit filters. Both lenses accept front filters at all. | ||
| Lens Weight | 505 g | 450 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
84.5 mm | 78 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
108.5 mm | 96.5 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. |
77 mm | 72 mm |
| Optics | 86/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFocal length is the real decision here. The 20mm is the tool for tight interiors and sweeping landscapes where you cannot step back, while the 24mm gives a narrower, more natural perspective that suits street and documentary work. The f/1.8 maximum aperture is shared, so both lenses offer the same wide-open light gathering, and the nine-blade diaphragm matches too. For close work the two differ: the 20mm focuses to 20cm and reaches 0.19x magnification, while the 24mm stops at 25cm and 0.15x, so the 20mm frames small subjects larger. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
20 mm | 24 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
1.8 | 1.8 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 94.5° | 84.07° |
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 | 9020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
✗ | ✗ |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
20 cm01500 | 25 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.19x | 0.15x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is a shared advantage, so both lenses keep out dust and moisture for landscape and outdoor work. Neither offers image stabilization, teleconverter support or a fluorine coating, so those features do not separate the two. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal | Petal |
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 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 20mm uses a slightly larger optical formula, with 14 elements in 11 groups against 12 elements in 10 groups in the 24mm. Each design includes one aspherical element and one low-dispersion element to control aberrations. Both designs share the same focusing arrangement, with no internal focusing and no floating element system in either lens. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
14 | 12 |
| Groups | 11 | 10 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 1 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
1 | 1 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the focal length first. If you shoot architecture, interiors or expansive landscapes, the 20mm F/1.8 S is the better fit, and its closer 20cm focus and higher 0.19x magnification help with foreground detail.
For street, travel and everyday reportage, the 24mm F/1.8 S offers a more natural view and smaller 72mm filters. Both are sealed S-Line primes at f/1.8, so neither gives up speed or weather protection.