Nikon z 24-120 f4 review – Nikon Z 24-120 f/4 review: The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is a compelling addition to the Nikon Z system, designed to cater to a wide range of photographers and videographers seeking a versatile and reliable all-round lens. It boasts a broad zoom range, covering everything from wide-angle perspectives to telephoto shots, making it an ideal choice for travel, landscape, portraiture, and even everyday photography.
This lens is not just about its zoom range; it’s about striking a balance between image quality, performance, and usability. Its constant f/4 aperture ensures consistent exposure across the entire zoom range, while its robust build and weather sealing make it a reliable companion for various shooting conditions.
But does it live up to the expectations of discerning photographers? Let’s delve deeper into its performance and explore its strengths and weaknesses.
Introduction
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is a versatile all-around lens designed for the Nikon Z mirrorless camera system. Its focal length range makes it a suitable choice for a wide range of photography genres, from landscape and architecture to portraiture and everyday snapshots.
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens, a versatile companion for the Z series mirrorless cameras, offers a wide zoom range that’s perfect for capturing everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits. Its constant aperture ensures consistent exposure across the zoom range, making it a great choice for photographers who need to adapt quickly to changing lighting conditions.
While this lens is a powerhouse in its own right, it’s interesting to compare it to the compact point-and-shoot Olympus Stylus Verve, olympus stylus verve digital camera , which offers a different perspective on image capture, emphasizing portability and ease of use.
Returning to the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4, its impressive image quality and autofocus performance make it a top contender for photographers seeking a reliable and versatile lens for everyday use.
This lens caters to both professional and enthusiast photographers seeking a single lens that can handle most shooting situations.
Key Features and Specifications
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is a well-rounded optic with several key features that contribute to its versatility and image quality.
- Focal Length Range:24-120mm, providing a wide-angle to telephoto perspective. This range is particularly convenient for photographers who prefer to travel light, as it covers a significant portion of typical shooting needs.
- Aperture:Constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range, ensuring consistent brightness and depth of field control. This allows for pleasing bokeh (background blur) and consistent exposure in various lighting conditions.
- Image Stabilization:Built-in VR (Vibration Reduction) system that effectively reduces camera shake, enabling sharper images, especially at longer focal lengths or in low light.
- Autofocus:Fast and accurate autofocus system with a stepping motor, ensuring precise focusing and smooth tracking of moving subjects.
- Construction:17 elements in 13 groups, including three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and one aspherical element, effectively minimizing chromatic aberration and delivering sharp, high-resolution images.
- Minimum Focusing Distance:0.45m (1.5ft) at the wide end, allowing for close-up shots and macro-like perspectives.
- Filter Size:77mm, providing compatibility with a wide range of filters for creative control and protection.
- Weight:Approximately 630g (1.4lb), making it a relatively lightweight and portable lens for its versatility.
Build and Design
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a versatile lens designed for both professional and enthusiast photographers. Its build and design are crucial for its performance and overall user experience.
Construction and Materials, Nikon z 24-120 f4 review
The lens is constructed using a combination of high-quality materials, including metal and glass. Its exterior is made from durable magnesium alloy, which contributes to its robust build and weather resistance. The lens barrel features a textured finish that provides a secure grip, even in challenging conditions.
Durability and Weather Sealing
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. Its robust construction and weather sealing ensure its durability in various environments. The lens features a fluorine coating on the front element, which repels dust, water, and fingerprints, making it easier to clean and maintain.
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is a versatile option for everyday photography, covering a wide range of focal lengths and boasting a constant aperture for consistent performance. However, if you’re looking for a compact and stylish camera for street photography, the Olympus XA1 and XA2 might be a better fit.
The XA2, in particular, features a larger sensor and improved autofocus, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize image quality. olympus xa1 vs xa2 Ultimately, the choice between these two systems depends on your individual needs and preferences, but both offer unique strengths for capturing moments in a way that resonates with your personal style.
The weather sealing protects the lens from dust, moisture, and splashes, ensuring its functionality even in challenging weather conditions.
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is a versatile workhorse, ideal for capturing a range of subjects, from sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits. Its constant aperture ensures consistent exposure across the zoom range, making it a reliable choice for photographers on the go.
If you’re seeking a cinematic look for your next project, consider renting an ARRI ALEXA camera, like those offered by arri alexa for rent , to complement the Z 24-120mm’s image quality. The combination of the lens’s sharpness and the camera’s dynamic range will deliver stunning visuals, capturing the nuances of light and shadow with exceptional detail.
Size and Weight
The lens is relatively compact and lightweight for its zoom range. Its size and weight make it a comfortable option for photographers who prefer portability. The lens weighs approximately 630 grams (1.39 pounds), which is comparable to other lenses in its class.
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens offers a versatile range for everyday photography, but for those seeking a more compact solution, the Sony ZV1 might be a better fit. The ZV1, designed for vloggers, boasts a fixed 24-70mm equivalent lens and a 1-inch sensor, capable of capturing high-quality stills and video.
To see examples of its image quality, check out the sony zv1 photo sample website. While the ZV1 lacks the zoom flexibility of the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4, its portability and dedicated features make it a compelling choice for content creators on the go.
Ergonomics and Ease of Use
The lens is designed with user comfort and ease of use in mind. Its ergonomic design features a smooth zoom ring and a focus ring that provides precise control. The lens also includes a dedicated control ring that can be customized to adjust aperture, exposure compensation, or other settings.
The control ring offers a tactile and intuitive way to make adjustments without needing to access the camera’s menu.
Versatility and Applications
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of photographic genres. Its zoom range covers common focal lengths used in everyday photography, making it a practical choice for both professionals and enthusiasts.
Landscape Photography
The lens’s wide-angle to telephoto zoom range makes it ideal for capturing expansive landscapes. The 24mm focal length allows photographers to capture a wide field of view, emphasizing the grandeur of the scene. At the telephoto end, the 120mm focal length can isolate specific elements within the landscape, creating a sense of depth and detail.
The lens’s ability to maintain sharp focus across the entire zoom range ensures that every detail of the landscape is captured with clarity.
Portrait Photography
The lens’s 85mm equivalent focal length (at 120mm) is considered a classic portrait lens, producing flattering perspectives and rendering pleasing bokeh. The lens’s smooth aperture transitions create soft, pleasing out-of-focus areas, allowing photographers to isolate their subjects from the background.
The lens’s sharp rendering at wide apertures ensures that portraits are captured with detail and clarity.
Travel Photography
The lens’s compact size and light weight make it a convenient choice for travel photography. Its zoom range allows photographers to capture a variety of subjects, from expansive cityscapes to intimate street scenes. The lens’s weather sealing protects it from the elements, making it suitable for use in a variety of travel conditions.
Video Recording
The lens’s smooth aperture transitions and quiet operation make it suitable for video recording. The lens’s autofocus system is fast and accurate, ensuring that subjects remain in focus during video recording. The lens’s image stabilization helps to minimize camera shake, producing smooth and stable footage.
Conclusion: Nikon Z 24-120 F4 Review
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens stands out as a versatile and reliable all-rounder, catering to a broad spectrum of photographic needs. Its robust build, sharp optics, and impressive image quality make it an excellent choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Overall Assessment
The lens delivers a remarkable balance of sharpness, contrast, and color rendition throughout its zoom range. Its f/4 maximum aperture provides ample flexibility for shooting in various lighting conditions, while its compact size and lightweight design make it an ideal companion for travel and everyday photography.
Suitability for Different Photographers and Shooting Styles
The lens’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of photographic styles and subjects.
Landscape Photography
The lens’s wide-angle capabilities, extending to 24mm, allow for capturing expansive landscapes with stunning detail. The sharp optics ensure that every element, from distant mountains to intricate foreground textures, is rendered with exceptional clarity.
Portrait Photography
While the lens is not specifically designed for portraiture, its versatility extends to this genre as well. The 120mm telephoto end provides a flattering perspective for portraits, while the f/4 aperture allows for pleasing bokeh effects.
Travel Photography
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens is an excellent choice for travel photography. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to pack and carry, while its wide zoom range covers a variety of shooting situations.
Street Photography
The lens’s discreet size and fast autofocus make it well-suited for capturing candid street scenes. Its wide zoom range allows for capturing both wide-angle perspectives and tighter shots, providing flexibility for capturing diverse moments.
Wildlife Photography
While not a dedicated wildlife lens, the 120mm telephoto end provides some reach for capturing distant subjects. However, the f/4 maximum aperture may limit its effectiveness in low-light situations.
Macro Photography
The lens is not designed for macro photography, but its close focusing distance allows for capturing detailed images of small subjects.
Final Review
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens emerges as a strong contender in the versatile zoom lens category. Its combination of wide zoom range, consistent image quality, and reliable performance makes it a valuable tool for photographers seeking a single lens to cover a multitude of shooting scenarios.
While it may not be the sharpest or fastest lens on the market, its overall versatility, build quality, and user-friendliness make it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable and dependable companion for their photographic adventures.