Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm F/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm 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 35mm 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 35mm F/1.8 S are both S-Line full-frame primes for the Nikon Z mount. Focal length sets the work each does best. The 20mm, released in 2020, frames wide scenes such as architecture and landscapes. The 2018 35mm gives a natural walkaround perspective for street and reportage. | ||
| Release Year | 2020 | 2018 |
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 35mm is the lighter, more compact carry for a Z body. It weighs 370 g against 505 g for the 20mm, a 135 g difference. It measures 86 mm long and 73 mm across against 108.5 mm and 84.5 mm for the wider lens. The smaller 35mm barrel also takes up less room in a bag. Both accept front filters, but the threads differ in size: 77mm on the 20mm and 62mm on the 35mm. That means your existing filters fit one lens directly, not both, so plan for a separate set or a stepping ring when moving between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 505 g | 370 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
84.5 mm | 73 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
108.5 mm | 86 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 | 62 mm |
| Optics | 86/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFocal length decides which lens you reach for: the 20mm for expansive interiors, architecture and night skies, the 35mm for the classic walkaround view in street and environmental portrait work. The aperture then matches: both open to F/1.8, so both gather the same maximum light for handheld low-light work and shallow depth of field at their own focal lengths. For close work, the 20mm focuses down to 20 cm and the 35mm to 25 cm. Magnification matches at 0.19x on both, so neither offers an edge for near-detail subjects. Both provide autofocus with a manual focusing ring, and both use a nine-blade automatic diaphragm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
20 mm | 35 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° | 63.44° |
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 | 0.19x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 32/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is shared, so both lenses keep out dust and moisture when shooting outdoors in changing conditions. The other feature facts also match: neither offers in-lens image stabilization, neither supports teleconverters, and neither has a fluorine coating to help shed water and smudges from the front element. | ||
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 35mm concentrates three aspherical and two low-dispersion elements in a simpler 11-element, 9-group layout. The 20mm spreads its 14 elements across 11 groups, with one aspherical and one low-dispersion element. Neither uses internal focusing, so the barrel extends during focusing. Neither uses a floating element system. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
14 | 11 |
| Groups | 11 | 9 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
1 | 3 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose by subject rather than specification count. For landscape, architecture and astro work, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm F/1.8 S is the right prime, and its closer 20 cm focusing helps foreground detail in layered compositions. For street, reportage and environmental portraits with a natural perspective, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm F/1.8 S is the better fit.
The shared F/1.8 aperture, weather sealing, autofocus and 0.19x magnification give neither lens an advantage there. Each covers a focal range the other cannot, so they complement rather than replace each other in a Nikon Z kit.