Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S 24-70mm
The internal zoom design keeps the center of gravity fixed on gimbals and enhances dust sealing, while SSVCM autofocus is 5x faster and 50% quieter than its predecessor. Suppressed focus breathing and an 11-blade aperture deliver smooth bokeh, and the click-less control ring enables silent aperture pulls during video. Best for wedding and event shooters who need fast, quiet hybrid performance with a stabilized standard zoom.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is an optical beast with 97th percentile sharpness that still dominates in 2025. It's heavy, lacks stabilization, and the autofocus is just okay, but the image quality alone makes it worth hunting for a renewed copy. If you can live without modern niceties, this lens will make your photos sing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Top-tier optical sharpness that still impresses in 2025. 95th
- Beautiful bokeh from that 11-blade diaphragm. 94th
- Pro-level weather sealing handles dust and moisture like a champ. 81th
- Crazy good value on the renewed market right now.
Cons
- Heavy, like "my shoulder hurts after a wedding" heavy.
- No stabilization makes handheld video a shaky mess.
- Autofocus speed is just okay compared to modern ring-type motors.
- Minimum focus distance of 378mm limits close-up flexibility.
What owners think
The Word on the Street
Come è cambiata l'opinione dei proprietari nel tempo
EsclusivaIn base a quando i clienti hanno effettivamente scritto le recensioni, per vedere se gli elogi iniziali sono durati.
- Q2 202683/100
Buyers praise the lens for its speed, sharpness, and light weight, with one calling it amazing for portraits and events.
- Lens is fast, sharp, and light; worth the price.
- Excellent for portrait, event, and wedding photography.
- Q1 202691/100
Buyers praise the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and lighter internal-zoom build. Many call it a worthy upgrade from the previous version.
- Sharpness and image quality rival prime lenses across the zoom range.
- Lighter weight and internal zoom improve handling and weather resistance.
- Fast, precise autofocus suitable for professional work.
- One review says lens has clinical perfection but lacks rendering character.
- Q4 202588/100
Buyers praised the lens for its exceptional sharpness, color rendering, and low-light performance, ideal for events and indoor sports. Some noted high cost and one packaging complaint.
- Image quality is excellent with sharp details, pleasing colors, and micro-contrast.
- Internal focus and zoom design improve handling and allow easier polarizer use.
- Outstanding low-light and autofocus performance for events and indoor sports.
- Shipping packaging insufficient for a $2800 lens, risking damage during transit.
- Q3 202590/100
Buyers in Q3 2025 praised the lens as exceptionally sharp with superior contrast and color rendering. One noted it improves noticeably over the f4 version.
- Exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color rendering across apertures.
- Superior to the f/4 S zoom in image quality.
- Excellent for portraits with blurred backgrounds and landscaping.
- Weighs less than previous F-mount f/2.8 zooms, manageable on travel.
- Q2 2024100/100
Buyers in Q2 2024 praised the lens for excellent image quality, premium build, and silent autofocus, noting its weight but considering it a worthy trade-off.
- Image quality is sharp and professional-grade, justifying the price.
- Build quality is top notch, described as a 'beast' and durable.
- Lens is heavy but balances well with Z8/Z6ii, considered worth the weight.
- Autofocus is quick, silent, and works smoothly.
- Q3 2023100/100
Buyers in Q3 2023 praised the lens as exceptionally sharp, fast, and high-quality, with strong recommendations.
- Sharpness praised as standout feature, even in low light.
- Fast glass performance especially valued.
- Excellent upgrade from kit lens or earlier models.
- Quality and value noted when buying near-new.
- Q1 202375/100
Buyers praised the lens for its sharpness and fast autofocus, but one requested a 2x converter and another reviewer gave a 0★ rating that contradicted their positive comments.
- Sharp lens with fast autofocus, great for low-light concert photography at ISO 2500.
- One reviewer gave 0★ despite positive text, suggesting a data or rating error.
- Buyer hopes for a 2x converter to extend the lens's reach instead of buying medium telephotos.
- Smooth zoom mechanism; a user found no stickiness unlike some other reviews mentioned.
- Q3 2022100/100
All four reviewers praise the lens as sharp, fast, quiet, and the gold standard in its range. Highly recommended for pros and enthusiasts.
- Exceptional sharpness and detail, even into the corners.
- Fast, quiet autofocus; excellent performance in real-world use.
- Versatile for pros and enthusiasts; highly recommended for all uses.
- Larger than kit zoom, but payoff in image quality is worth it; lacks gold ring.
- Q2 202275/100
Buyers praised the lens as sharp, versatile for weddings, sports, and landscapes. One non-verified review seemed misplaced or contradictory, but overall sentiment was very positive.
- Sharp image quality praised across multiple reviews.
- Versatility for weddings, sports, and landscapes highlighted.
- One non-verified review had low star rating despite positive text, unclear issue.
- Described as a go-to lens for everyday and professional use.
- Q1 202290/100
Most buyers praise sharpness, build quality, and handling of the lens, but one reports receiving a broken refurbished unit and another finds the control ring accidentally changes settings.
- Sharpness and image quality are consistently praised, calling it the best 24-70mm f/2.8.
- Build quality and handling are solid; feels good in the hand and balances well on Z cameras.
- One buyer received a broken refurbished lens and warns about inspecting immediately after purchase.
- Control ring near the lens mount can accidentally change settings; some find it annoying but adjustable.
- Q4 202188/100
Reviewers highly praise the lens for sharpness, autofocus speed, and weight, calling it a game-changer for professional photography.
- Sharpness and image quality are exceptional, with 3D-like clarity edge-to-edge.
- Fast, accurate autofocus and lighter design are major improvements over older lenses.
- Bundle items include cheap accessories, good for beginners but not experienced users.
- Versatile 24-70mm range replaces multiple primes, ideal for professional work.
- Q3 202170/100
Reviewers praise the lens for sharpness, speed, and build quality. One buyer reports focusing inconsistencies compared to a 14-24mm lens.
- Excellent sharpness and image quality in varied lighting.
- Lightweight, comfortable, silent and quick autofocus.
- Versatile lens replacing multiple primes for wedding work.
- One verified review reports focusing inconsistencies compared to another lens.
- Q2 202193/100
Buyers praise the lens' optical quality, color rendition, and build. Many call it their go-to zoom, though some note the high price and bundled accessories are unwanted.
- Exceptional optical quality, sharpness, and color rendition
- Silent, fast autofocus and solid build
- Versatile zoom range, ideal walk-around lens
- Expensive, but considered worth the cost; bundled accessories unused
- Q4 202082/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and low-light performance. A single complaint about a price drop and a shipping delay appear.
- Sharpness and image quality are repeatedly praised as excellent.
- Fast autofocus and great low-light capabilities are highlighted.
- Bokeh and overall lens quality receive strong approval.
- One buyer complains about a price drop after purchase.
- Q3 202095/100
Customers in Q3 2020 praised the lens for exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and superior low-light performance. It's seen as a significant upgrade from the f/4 version, though expensive.
- Superb sharpness and optical quality across the zoom range, with minimal aberrations.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, especially beneficial for video and moving subjects.
- Noticeable improvement in low-light and bokeh compared to the kit f/4 lens.
- Premium pricing is justified by performance, but noted as a significant investment.
- Q1 2020100/100
Buyers praised this F/2.8 24-70mm lens as a versatile, high-quality upgrade over the F/4 version, with a dedicated focus ring and customizable control ring.
- Higher image quality and build over the F/4 version.
- Dedicated focus ring is a must-have improvement.
- Customizable control ring useful for exposure and aperture.
- Fast, good quality, works perfectly with Z7.
- Q4 201995/100
Buyers rave about this lens's sharpness, build quality, and versatility, calling it a prime-like zoom ideal for travel and professional use.
- Exceptional sharpness and contrast at all focal lengths, rivaling prime lenses.
- Lighter and more compact than F-mount predecessors, improving portability.
- Manual focus ring is difficult to use in low light, requiring awkward override.
- Versatile for weddings, landscapes, portraits, and video; a one-lens solution.
- Q3 2019100/100
Buyers are thrilled with the image quality, fast and silent autofocus, and solid build of this lens, though they note the high cost and focus-by-wire implementation.
- Excellent sharpness, consistent performance across all focal lengths, and beautiful bokeh.
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus with responsive focus-by-wire.
- Solid, premium build that feels worth the high price.
- Price is a barrier; some miss a gold ring detail to differentiate it from f/4 version.
Basato su 136 recensioni dei clienti datate, raggruppate per trimestre solare. L'analisi per periodo è in inglese.
The proof
Performance
Optically, this lens is a clinic. Those three ED elements and Nano Crystal Coat do real work, controlling chromatic aberration and flaring so well that you can shoot directly into backlight without worrying. The constant f/2.8 aperture is still well above average, and that 11-blade diaphragm produces bokeh that rivals lenses decades newer. The autofocus is solid but not class-leading, it's middle of the pack in our data, and the ring-type SWM motor makes a little noise. The elephant in the room is the complete lack of stabilization, which cripples it for handheld video or low-light stills if you're not careful. Macro capability is also mediocre at 0.22x magnification, so don't expect to get too close.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.8 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 380 |
| Max Magnification | 0.22x |
vs Competition
Stacked against modern competition, the 24-70mm f/2.8G ED looks a bit like a vintage muscle car. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM is a direct mirrorless rival that's lighter, stabilized, and snappier to focus, but it lives on a totally different mount. If you're in the Nikon F ecosystem, the Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 offers built-in stabilization and similar sharpness at a lower weight and price, making it a tempting alternative for event shooters. The Viltrox Air 15mm f/1.7 and Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 listed as competitors are really different beasts, though. They're wide-angle primes or zooms for crop sensors, not full-frame 24-70mm workhorses. For the specific job this Nikon does, the real fight is between legacy F-mount champs and third-party stabilized options.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S 24-70mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Sony E SELP1650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-70mm | 16-300mm | 18-300mm | 50-200mm | 18-135mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Fuji X | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 805 | 615 | 92 | 655 | 515 | 116 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | HLA | VXD linear motor | linear motor | STM | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S 24-70mm | 54.9 | 28.4 | 44.8 | 29 | 94.1 | 24.5 | 80.7 | 94.9 | 35.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.9 | 84.6 | 58.3 | 85.9 | 98.9 | 77.5 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.2 | 75.5 | 96.4 | 87.8 | 74.3 | 77.5 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 46.6 | 33.2 | 79.8 | 77.5 | 96 | 78 | 92.5 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
The price spread on this lens is wild. We've seen it from $1250 to over $3099, depending on condition and vendor. The sweet spot is definitely a renewed copy around that low end. For F-mount DSLR shooters, it's an absolute steal, you're getting near-pristine optical quality for half the cost of a new Z-mount equivalent. Even if you're on a Z6, Z7, or Zf with the FTZ adapter, the savings are tempting. Just know that new mirrorless designs offer stabilization and shave off serious weight, so you're trading modern convenience for raw image bang for your buck.
Read more
Overview
Old glass, meet new demands. The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED has been kicking around since 2007, and honestly, it still punches way above its weight class. It's an F-mount classic that photographers keep buying, especially on the renewed market, because the optical performance is that good. We're talking edge-to-edge sharpness that lands in the 97th percentile of our database. If image quality is your only concern, this lens will ruin you for anything else.
But here's the thing, it's a chunky boy. At 1451 grams, you'll feel it after a few hours. No stabilization, no silent wave motor that wows in 2025, and the build is tough but not exactly travel-friendly. Still, for portrait shooters, budget-minded pros, and anyone adapting it to a Z-mount body, there's a ton of value here if you know what you're getting into.
Common Questions
Q: Can I use this on my old Nikon D90 or D200?
Absolutely. It's an F-mount AF-S lens with a built-in motor, so it autofocuses perfectly on any Nikon DSLR body with a built-in focus motor, including the D90 and D200.
Q: Is this lens truly weather sealed?
Yes, Nikon's official specs confirm professional-grade dust and moisture resistance, and user reports back that up for real-world rain and dust conditions.
Q: How bad is it for video without stabilization?
Handheld video is going to be shaky, you'll want a tripod or gimbal. The lack of VR means even minor movements get transmitted to your footage, so this lens isn't ideal for run-and-gun shooting.
Who Should Skip This
Travel photographers and vloggers should steer clear. If you need a lightweight kit that won't wreck your back after a day of walking, this ain't it. Also, if you rely on handheld video stabilization, look at any modern lens with VR instead, because the 24-70mm f/2.8G will leave you with jittery clips.
Verdict
This lens is for the photographer who values image quality above all else and doesn't mind trading off weight and stabilization. If you're shooting portraits, studio work, or landscapes on a tripod with a DSLR or adapted mirrorless body, it's a no-brainer. The images it produces are genuinely stunning, and you'll find very little at this price that can match its sharpness and bokeh combination. Just don't expect it to be the best travel companion.
