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Nikon Z 24-120 Vs Af-s: Which Lens Is Right For You?

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • However, if you’re on a budget or if you don’t need the extra features of the Z 24-120mm f/4 S, then the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is a great option.
  • In addition to the factors we’ve discussed above, there are a few other things you may want to consider when choosing between the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR.
  • The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is lighter than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, which may be a consideration for photographers who need to carry their gear for long periods of time.

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are two popular lenses for Nikon cameras. Both lenses offer a versatile focal length range, making them suitable for a wide variety of photography genres, including landscapes, portraits, and street photography. However, there are some key differences between the two lenses that may make one a better choice for you than the other.

In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR in terms of their image quality, autofocus performance, build quality, and price. We’ll also provide our recommendation for which lens is the best choice for different types of photographers.

Image Quality

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR both produce excellent image quality. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a slight edge in terms of sharpness and detail. This is likely due to its newer optical design, which includes a number of extra-low dispersion (ED) elements that help to reduce chromatic aberration.

Autofocus Performance

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S uses a stepping motor for autofocus, while the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR uses a traditional screw-drive motor. The stepping motor in the Z 24-120mm f/4 S is faster and more accurate than the screw-drive motor in the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. This makes the Z 24-120mm f/4 S a better choice for photographers who need fast and accurate autofocus, such as sports and wildlife photographers.

Build Quality

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are both well-built lenses. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a more robust construction, with a metal lens barrel and a weather-sealed design. This makes it a better choice for photographers who need a lens that can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Price

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is more expensive than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. This is likely due to its newer optical design and its faster and more accurate autofocus system.

Which Lens is Right for You?

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are both excellent lenses. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality, autofocus performance, and build quality. It is also more expensive than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR.

If you’re a photographer who needs the best possible image quality, autofocus performance, and build quality, then the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is the best choice for you. However, if you’re on a budget or if you don’t need the extra features of the Z 24-120mm f/4 S, then the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is a great option.

Recommendations

  • For photographers who need the best possible image quality, autofocus performance, and build quality: Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
  • For photographers who are on a budget or who don’t need the extra features of the Z 24-120mm f/4 S: AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

Other Factors to Consider

In addition to the factors we’ve discussed above, there are a few other things you may want to consider when choosing between the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. These include:

  • Camera compatibility: The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is only compatible with Nikon Z-mount cameras, while the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is compatible with both Nikon Z-mount and F-mount cameras.
  • Weight: The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is lighter than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, which may be a consideration for photographers who need to carry their gear for long periods of time.
  • Filter size: The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a filter size of 77mm, while the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR has a filter size of 82mm. This means that you’ll need to purchase different filters for each lens.

Frequently Discussed Topics

What is the difference between the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR?

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a newer optical design, a faster and more accurate autofocus system, and a more robust construction than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. It is also more expensive.

Which lens is better for landscape photography?

Both the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are good choices for landscape photography. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality and autofocus performance.

Which lens is better for portrait photography?

Both the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are good choices for portrait photography. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality and autofocus performance.

Which lens is better for sports and wildlife photography?

The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a better choice for sports and wildlife photography than the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. This is because it has a faster and more accurate autofocus system.

Which lens is better for video?

Both the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR are good choices for video. However, the Z 24-120mm f/4 S has a slight edge in terms of image quality and autofocus performance.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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