Nikon DX NIKKOR Z 24mm F/1.7

This Nikon prime pairs a bright 24mm focal length with the Z mount on APS-C cameras. Nikon launched it in 2023, and it remains in production, so it is a current design.

On the APS-C format, 24mm gives a moderate wide view. It suits street scenes, interiors, travel, and group pictures, where you often work close to the subject. The fixed focal length is the trade-off; you frame by moving.

The wide F/1.7 aperture is the defining strength, and the light body makes daily carry easy. Together they suit anyone who wants one small lens for everyday pictures.

At 4.8 oz (135 g), this lens barely changes the feel of a small Z camera. The body measures 2.76 in (70 mm) across and 1.57 in (40 mm) long, so it adds little bulk. Screw-in filters attach directly to the 46mm thread. The physical specification scores 57/100.

The 24mm focal length gives a moderate wide view on APS-C. It takes in a street corner, a furnished room, or a small group without stepping back. Getting close exaggerates depth, which adds energy to foreground details. For environmental portraits, it keeps the surrounding context in the frame.

F/1.7 is bright for a lens this small. Indoors or after sunset, it lets you hold the camera by hand at faster shutter speeds, with lower ISO settings. Wide open, the plane of sharp focus is thin, which helps a portrait or a plate of food stand out from a busy background. The seven-blade aperture also shapes how out-of-focus highlights appear.

Closest focus sits at 0.6 ft (18 cm). You can move in on food, flowers, or market stalls and still frame them tightly. At that distance, backgrounds fall out of focus quickly at F/1.7, giving near subjects a soft setting. The maximum magnification is 0.19x. Stopping down a little brings more of the scene into focus.

The optics specification scores 83/100.

The lens body is weather sealed. That suits street and travel shooting, where dust and moisture are common. You can keep working through imperfect conditions.

There is no stabilization in this lens. The bright aperture helps, because faster shutter speeds reduce blur from camera shake. In very low light, you may need a steady hold or a support for sharp frames at slower speeds. A wall, a table edge, or a tripod all help.

The front element has no fluorine coating. Fluorine coatings help water and oil slide off, so without one the glass may need more frequent cleaning after rain or fingerprints. In coastal or dusty places, check the glass before each shoot. The features specification scores 32/100.

The optical design includes aspherical elements. Their specially shaped surfaces help correct optical faults, including distortion and spherical aberration. Distortion can make straight edges appear curved. That correction can help when you photograph interiors, buildings, or street scenes with strong lines, which are common subjects for a 24mm lens.