When it comes to choosing the best lenses for the Nikon Z5 II or Nikon Z5, it's a case of balancing your expectations and the things you want to shoot with the cameras' affordable appeal. These are full-frame cameras with very attractive price tags, so the best lenses are those that make the most of their large sensors without breaking the bank.
I’ve chosen a set of lenses that I think offer great performance but at a price that reflects the Z5 II and Z5’s value for money. Both cameras are available in kit form with the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 retracting kit lens, but while this lens is compact and portable, its 2x zoom range limits its usefulness. So I'm including an alternative standard zoom that offers much more range and versatility. Not only that, but I've included top-value fast f/2.8 standard, wide-angle, and telephoto zooms to complete a cut-price 'holy trinity' that every photographer should own.
I’ve covered as wide a range of focal lengths and shooting styles as possible to reflect that the Nikon Z5 II and Z5 are great cameras for travel, portraits, events, wildlife – and any other kind of everyday photography you might want to throw at them – so here are the best-buy lenses that will help you get the very best from Nikon's best-value cameras.
Nikon stalwart Adam was editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine before becoming Digital Camera World's Guides Editor. He penned both our Nikon Z5 II and Z5 reviews, so he knows the cameras inside out, and there could be no better guide to the best-buy lenses for these brilliant-value cameras.
Best lenses for the Nikon Z5 II & Z5
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
Best everyday lens for the Z5 II & Z5
Nikon has a fair few standard zooms in its roster, including the Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit lens, Z 24-70mm f/4 S, and Z 24-120mm f/4 S, but I reckon the Nikon Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 budget-friendly alternative to Nikon’s more expensive S-line zooms offers the best bang-for-buck of them all, and is the perfect match for the Z5 line. Weighing just 350g (12.4oz) and measuring 107mm when retracted, it is the ideal everyday lens for day-long excursions or travel where weight is a primary concern.
The compact design comes with a couple of trade-offs: it lacks an AF/M physical switch and has a slow f/7.1 maximum aperture at the telephoto end. Despite the pedestrian aperture rating, the lens offers a unique 0.5x 'half-macro' magnification ratio that is particularly effective between the 70mm and 105mm focal lengths, allowing for creative close-up photography that typical kit lenses cannot achieve. The autofocus, powered by a linear stepping motor (STM), is quick and nearly silent, making it suitable for both stills and video.
At roughly half the price of the Z 24-120mm f/4 S, it makes full-frame photography more accessible. While it struggles in low light due to the f/7.1 aperture, its sharpness, macro capabilities, and extreme portability make it a compelling choice for hikers, travelers, and entry-level full-frame users. Ultimately, it is a lens that sacrifices speed for convenience and cost without compromising on essential image quality.
Read more: Nikon Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 review
Features ★★★★ |
It’s a basic lens without even an AF/M focus mode switch and you have to buy the hood separately, but it features a speedy stepping motor-based autofocus system and 0.5x macro of sorts. |
Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Design ★★★★ |
The design majors on compactness and lightness of weight, right down to the plastic mounting plate, but that makes it very travel-friendly, and it does feature weather seals. |
Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Performance ★★★★ |
Image quality relies on automatic correction for distortion and the long-zoom aperture shrinks to f/7.1, but the net results are pleasing. |
Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Value ★★★★1/2 |
It’s very good value for an own-brand Nikon Z-system lens, and one of the least expensive options in the collection of standard zooms. |
Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Best standard zoom lens for the Z5 II & Z5
Nikon liked the original version of this lens so much that it made its own version with a Nikon badge on it: the Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8. However, the original Tamron lens was never made in the Nikon Z-mount, only in the Sony E-mount. The ‘Generation 2’ Tamron comes in both flavors and is a significant upgrade: a new optical layout increases resolution and all-around image quality; the autofocus system is twice as fast; there’s more tactile feedback from the zoom and focus rings; and a customizable function button has been added.
That’s all great news, but what made the original Tamron (and Nikon) lens such a hit remains just as attractive in the G2 edition. The fast and constant f/2.8 aperture rating makes this a viable alternative to a ‘trinity’ standard zoom, and while it doesn’t go quite as wide-angle as a 24-70mm lens, you gain marginally more telephoto reach.
And the best bit is that it’s comparatively compact, lightweight, and affordable, compared with typical trinity standard zooms. All in all, it's my top choice as an 'everyday' lens for full-frame Z system cameras.
Read more: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 review
Features ★★★★★ |
This alternative ‘trinity’ f/2.8 standard zoom features voice coil motor autofocus and a Fn button. |
Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Design ★★★★★ |
Although compact and lightweight, the lens is extensively weather-sealed. |
Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Performance ★★★★★ |
It's sharper than the original Tamron 28-75mm, and Nikon's version of that lens. |
Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Value ★★★★★ |
Much less expensive than a typical ‘trinity’ 24-70mm f/2.8 standard zoom and top value. |
Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Best wide-angle lens for the Z5 II & Z5
It's a close-run race for the best wide-angle lens for the Z5 II and Z5, but for me the Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 just edges out the Z 14-30mm f/4 S. Yes, the focal length isn't as expansive, but that fast, constant f/2.8 aperture puts it in 'holy trinity' territory, only without the price. The compact and lightweight design is a real highlight, and the lens feels incredibly portable, making it a great choice for travel, vlogging, and anyone who prefers a lighter setup. Despite its size, it still feels well-built.
Optically, the lens delivers impressive results. I found the sharpness to be very good across the frame, particularly in the center, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. There's some expected softness in the corners at wider apertures, but it's generally well-controlled and improves as you stop down. The constant f/2.8 aperture is a significant advantage, providing consistent exposure and shallow depth of field potential throughout the zoom range, which is excellent for creating separation and working in low light.
Autofocus performance was quick and quiet. The lens also exhibits minimal focus breathing, a definite plus for videographers. The wide 17mm end is fantastic for capturing expansive landscapes, architecture, and immersive vlogs, while the 28mm end offers a more standard wide-angle perspective for various subjects. It fits neatly with the Z 28-75mm f/2.8, too.
Read more: Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 review
Features ★★★★1/2 |
It's not as wide as Nikon's other wide zooms, but has a fast f/2.8 aperture. |
Row 0 - Cell 2 |
Design ★★★★1/2 |
Build quality feels solid despite the relatively lightweight construction. |
Row 1 - Cell 2 |
Performance ★★★★★ |
Sharpness levels are spectacular, but drops off a little zoomed in to 28mm. |
Row 2 - Cell 2 |
Value ★★★★★ |
Top value for a fast wide-angle zoom, as long as you can live without an extreme 14mm at the wide end. |
Row 3 - Cell 2 |
Best telephoto lens for the Z5 II & Z5
I love using this lens on both full-frame and APS-C format Nikon Z system bodies. It’s much more compact and lightweight than conventional 70-200mm f/2.8 ‘trinity’ telephoto zooms, which makes it an ideal fit for the Z5 II. Sure, it doesn’t quite stretch to 200mm at the long end, but it comes pretty close, while retaining that all-important constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range. It works a treat for weddings and events and even for sports and wildlife photography, while keeping the weight down.
And there’s more. While the original Tamron 70-180mm was a great lens (as is the Nikon Z 70-180mm that's based on the original Tamron), I love that the G2 adds optical image stabilization, uprated handling, and revamped optics. And it delivers all this at a more inexpensive launch purchase price than the original lens. I find that in-body image stabilization tends to be less effective in telephoto shooting, so the addition of optical stabilization is particularly welcome.
Autofocus is super-fast, based on a VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) system. The proof of the pudding is in the image quality, and I like that the optical layout has been redesigned to include an XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) element, a hybrid aspherical lens element, three LD (Low Dispersion) elements, and two GM (Glass Molded aspherical) lens elements. Tamron’s BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) coating is also applied to minimize ghosting and flare. All in all, it’s a terrific lens and a bargain at the price.
Read more: Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 review
Features ★★★★★ |
Fancy features in the ‘Generation 2’ include a three-pole Custom switch, function button and USB-C port. |
Design ★★★★★ |
The design gives you almost the same zoom range as a classic 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom but in a much smaller, lighter package. |
Performance ★★★★★ |
From super-fast and highly accurate autofocus to great image quality and effective optical stabilization, it’s a cracker. |
Value ★★★★★ |
It’s less than half the price of many ‘trinity’ telephoto zooms, making it a standout bargain. |
Best super-telephoto lens for the Z5 II & Z5
The Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens is a standout performer, especially considering its relatively affordable price point. The monster 180-600mm zoom range provides incredible versatility, allowing you to capture everything from medium-distance shots to extreme close-ups, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, bird, and aviation photography. It's remarkably sharp at all focal lengths, delivering images with excellent clarity, contrast, and color rendition.
One of the key features is the 5.5-stop optical VR (Vibration Reduction), which is crucial for handheld shooting at such long focal lengths. I found it to be highly effective, allowing me to capture sharp images even in challenging lighting conditions. The lens also boasts super-fast and accurate autofocus, ensuring a high hit rate, even when tracking fast-moving subjects.
In terms of build quality, the lens feels sturdy and robust, complete with weather-sealing for added protection. The internal zoom and focus mechanisms are a bonus, keeping the lens's length constant and preventing dust and moisture from entering. Despite its solid construction, the lens is surprisingly manageable for handheld use, especially with the removable tripod ring.
Overall, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is a top-performing lens that offers incredible value for money. Its impressive zoom range, sharpness, effective VR, and fast autofocus make it an excellent choice for any photographer needing ultra-telephoto capabilities.
Read more: Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR review
Features ★★★★★ |
A gargantuan 180-600mm zoom range is the standout feature, backed by zippy autofocus and 5.5-stop optical VR. |
Design ★★★★★ |
Zoom and focus is fully internal, and it's easy to locate subjects zoomed out then fully zoom in with a 90-degree twist of the zoom ring. |
Performance ★★★★★ |
The lens proved highly impressive in real-world tests, with superb sharpness, clarity, contrast and color rendition. |
Value ★★★★1/2 |
It's Nikon's most 'affordable' ultra-telephoto zoom – although admittedly that's a relative term! |
Best superzoom lens for the Z5 II & Z5
The sheer versatility of this lens's 24-200mm range is really appealing as a one-lens solution for a wide variety of shooting scenarios, from landscapes and portraits at the wider end to telephoto shots of distant subjects. The compact and relatively lightweight design is another significant plus. For a lens with such an extensive zoom range, it handles surprisingly well and doesn't feel overly cumbersome, making it a great travel companion. The inclusion of Vibration Reduction is handy, working hand-in-hand with the in-body image stabilization of the Z5 II and Z5.
Optically, considering its superzoom nature, the lens performs respectably. While it might not have the absolute sharpness and contrast of shorter zooms, it delivers good image quality across the focal range. Sharpness is generally good in the center, with some expected softening towards the edges, particularly at the extremes of the zoom range. Chromatic aberration is reasonably well-controlled. Autofocus was generally quick and accurate, making it suitable for capturing a variety of subjects.
The Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR offers an incredibly convenient and versatile package for Z5 II and Z5 users. It’s a solid all-rounder that prioritizes versatility and portability, and is an excellent option for travel photography, general photography, and anyone looking for a single lens that handles a wide range of shooting situations without frequent lens changes.
Nikon also makes a Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR superzoom that goes double the distance, but it's quite a lot bigger and doesn't perform quite so well optically.
Read more: Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR review
Features ★★★★1/2 |
Sharpness is very good for a superzoom, and 5-stop IBIS helps beat the shakes. |
Design ★★★★★ |
Compact and lightweight considering its epic zoom range, making it an ideal travel companion. |
Performance ★★★★★ |
While it can't match Nikon's 28-400mm superzoom for outright reach, it wins out for image quality. |
Value ★★★★1/2 |
It's like getting a full-frame standard and telephoto zoom in one, albeit with a sluggish max aperture at the long end. |
Best macro lens for the Z5 II & Z5
This Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a true 1:1 macro lens, meaning it can reproduce subjects at their actual size on the image sensor, opening up a world of intricate detail, although you do have to get very close – about two inches from the subject – to achieve this. It has a shorter focal length than most macro lenses, such as the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, but also has a relatively affordable price that will appeal to Nikon Z5 II and Z5 owners.
The sharpness it delivers is truly outstanding, even wide open at f/2.8. I was able to capture incredibly fine textures and details in flowers, insects, and everyday objects. Corner-to-corner sharpness holds up remarkably well, which is crucial for macro work where edge details often matter. Handling-wise, the lens is a dream. It's lightweight and compact, so it’s a good physical match for the Z5 II and Z5, making it a fantastic companion for long shooting sessions. The manual focus ring is smooth and precise, which is essential for critical macro focusing. The autofocus, while not the primary focus of a macro lens, is surprisingly quick and accurate for general use.
Beyond its macro capabilities, it could also double as a general-purpose 'nifty fifty' standard prime, which makes it a versatile lens for general shooting, including portraits and street photography. The f/2.8 aperture provides a pleasing shallow depth of field, allowing subjects to stand out beautifully against a blurred background.
Read more: Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 review
Features ★★★★☆ |
There’s no VR but the lens does deliver full 1.0x macro magnification, complete with an autofocus range limiter. |
Design ★★★★☆ |
The extending inner barrel has focus distance and magnification scales but reduces the working distance to just 2 inches at maximum magnification. |
Performance ★★★★☆ |
Center-sharpness is excellent and remains so even at narrow apertures, often desirable for gaining a little depth of field in macro photography. |
Value ★★★★☆ |
It’s like having two lenses in one, and while it's main purpose is for macro, it makes a great 'nifty fifty' standard prime for everyday shooting. |
Best wide prime for the Z5 II & Z5
The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 delivers a classic wide-angle focal length and a fast aperture – faster, indeed, than Nikon's pricier 35mm f/1.8 S-line lens. It feels solid and well-constructed, yet surprisingly compact and lightweight for a lens with such a wide aperture. Optically, it's a standout performer. Even wide open at f/1.4, sharpness is exceptional, with incredible detail and clarity across the frame. I was particularly impressed by its ability to resolve fine textures and subtle details. The bokeh is also beautifully smooth and creamy, creating lovely subject isolation and background blur.
The 35mm focal length is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of subjects, from street scenes and environmental portraits to landscapes and even some close-up work. The fast f/1.4 aperture not only allows for stunning bokeh but also excels in low-light situations, making it a great choice for shooting in challenging lighting conditions. Autofocus performance is swift, silent, and accurate, ensuring you can capture sharp images even when shooting fast-moving subjects. The manual focus ring is smooth and precise, allowing for fine-tuning when needed.
The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 is a fantastic lens that combines exceptional image quality, a useful focal length, and a fast aperture in a compact and well-built package. It's a worthy addition to any Nikon Z5 II or Z5 shooter's kit bag, particularly for those who appreciate the classic 35mm perspective and the creative possibilities offered by a wide aperture. It's a lens that inspires creativity and delivers stunning results.
Read more: Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 review
Features |
The feature set is pretty modest, without an AF/M focus mode switch nor any ED glass. |
★★★★ |
Design |
It’s fairly small and lightweight for an f/1.4 prime, but includes a secondary control ring. |
★★★★ |
Performance |
Image quality is very satisfying although there’s the typical dependence on in-camera correction for distortion |
★★★★★ |
Value |
It’s good value for an own-brand Nikon f/1.4 prime. |
★★★★ |
Best nifty fifty for the Z5 II & Z5
Like the Nikon 35mm f/1.4, the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 is faster and cheaper than its f/1.8 S-line equivalent. And while it's not an 'S-line' lens, it feels well-built and robust, inspiring confidence. Despite its fast f/1.4 aperture, it maintains a manageable size and weight, making it comfortable for extended shooting sessions. The focus ring operates smoothly and precisely, allowing for fine adjustments.
Even wide open at f/1.4, sharpness is remarkable, rendering images with incredible detail and clarity. Bokeh is also exceptionally smooth and creamy, creating beautiful background blur and isolating subjects effectively. The 50mm focal length offers a natural perspective that's well-suited for a wide range of subjects. From portraits and street scenes to landscapes and even some close-up work, this lens can handle it all. The ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture not only allows for stunning bokeh but also excels in low-light conditions.
Autofocus performance is swift, silent, and accurate, ensuring you can capture sharp images even when working with moving subjects. The lens also performs admirably in video mode, with smooth and quiet focusing transitions. The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 combines exceptional image quality, a versatile focal length, and an ultra-wide aperture in a well-built and relatively compact standard prime lens.
Read more: Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 review
Features ★★★★☆ |
Top of the feature list is the fast f/1.4 aperture and the lens has dual customizable control rings. |
Design ★★★★☆ |
It looks and feels a little basic, with no A/M focus mode switch, but the build includes weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★☆ |
It’s not one of Nikon’s up-market S-line lenses, but performance combines good sharpness and nice bokeh. |
Value ★★★★★ |
The lens is excellent value for a 50mm f/1.4, undercutting the list price of the Z f/1.8 version. |
Best portrait lens for the Z5 II & Z5
I’ve become a big fan of Viltrox lenses over the last few years, and recently they’ve been going from strength to strength. That said, most recent offerings have been either from the ‘Air’ lineup, which is very compact and lightweight but also fairly basic, or from the ‘Pro’ and ‘Lab’ series, which are relatively chunky but packed full of features and handling exotica.
This lens is the first in a new ‘Evo’ range, and I love it. It’s like having the best of both worlds. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to live with, yet it also boasts plenty of handling finery, including an aperture control ring with a click/de-click switch, an AF/MF focus mode switch, and a customizable function button. All in all, it feels a sizeable step ahead of the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S prime lens.
The lens feels solid and robust, with a metal barrel and weather-sealed mounting plate, complete with a USB-C port for applying firmware updates if and when needed. Best of all, image quality is superb and, although the f/2 aperture might not seem overly fast, the lens is perfectly capable of combining excellent sharpness with soft and dreamy bokeh. It’s also incredible value for money.
Read more: Viltrox AF 85mm f/2 Evo review
Features ★★★★★ |
Advanced features include an aperture control ring with a click/de-click switch, customizable function button and an AF/MF focus mode switch. |
Design ★★★★★ |
The design is a delight. Sophisticated handling extras are shoehorned into a remarkably compact and lightweight metal build with a weather-sealed mount. |
Performance ★★★★★ |
The lens can’t deliver the wafer-thin depth of field of an 85mm f/1.4 lens but still combines superb sharpness and clarity with beautiful bokeh. |
Value ★★★★★ |
It’s naturally pricier than low-budget Viltrox ‘Air’ series lenses but still exceptional value, considering the additional features and handling extras. |
Lab test data and comparisons
The lens experts in our testing lab run a range of tests under controlled conditions. We take photos of Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts, then use the Imatest Master testing suite to analyze sharpness, distortion, and chromatic aberrations at the centre of the image frame, corners, and mid-point distances across the range of aperture settings (up to f/22).
The graphs below show the comparative performance of the lenses in this guide, based on our in-house lab tests. For zoom lenses, we repeat our test at the widest and longest ends of the zoom range, plus intermediate 'mid-wide' and 'mid-telephoto' settings. Use the dropdown menus to select between them (for primes, the same data appears on all graphs for ease of comparison). Only full f-stops are labelled on the X-axis for sharpness, so, for example, an f/1.2 or f/6.3 lens would correlate to f/1 and f/5.6, respectively.
The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 is amazingly sharp for such a budget-friendly prime lens, and the Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is also super-sharp for an ultra-wide-angle zoom. The Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 leads the way for control over color fringing. The two Tamron zooms exhibit higher levels of distortion, in keeping with their compact designs, but are easily within the remit of automatic in-camera correction.
For more detailed graphs of each lens's performance, which give the full picture, check out the graphs in our full standalone lens reviews.
Center sharpness
Use the dropdown menu to select between wide-angle, mid-wide, mid-tele, and telephoto settings on zoom lenses
| Timestamp (f-stop) | Nikon Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 () | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 [Nikon Z] () | Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 () | Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 () | Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR () | Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR () | Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 () | Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 () | Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 () | Viltrox AF 85mm f/2 Evo () |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2000 | 2163 | N/A |
| 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2332 | 2749 | 2167 |
| 3 | N/A | 2047 | 2997 | 2834 | N/A | N/A | 2247 | 2719 | 3082 | 2287 |
| 4 | 2582 | 2631 | 3374 | 2713 | N/A | 2173 | 2538 | 2751 | 3225 | 2268 |
| 5 | 2710 | 2465 | 3049 | 2543 | 2351 | 2184 | 2509 | 2709 | 2958 | 2234 |
| 6 | 2509 | 2514 | 2816 | 2576 | 2534 | 2082 | 2368 | 2465 | 2700 | 2098 |
| 7 | 2152 | 2299 | 2213 | 2261 | 2336 | 1930 | 2050 | 2073 | 2027 | 1882 |
| 8 | 1869 | 1872 | 1918 | 1821 | 1898 | 1663 | 1735 | 1739 | 1848 | 1580 |
| 9 | 1482 | 1391 | 1398 | 1432 | 1453 | 1333 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fringing @ f/8
Use the dropdown menu to select between wide-angle, mid-wide, mid-tele, and telephoto settings on zoom lenses
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Nikon Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 | 0.26 |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 [Nikon Z] | 0.1 |
| Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | 0.13 |
| Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 | 0.18 |
| Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR | 0.05 |
| Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR | 0.07 |
| Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 | 0.02 |
| Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | 0.29 |
| Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 | 0.07 |
| Viltrox AF 85mm f/2 Evo | 0.09 |
Distortion
Use the dropdown menu to select between wide-angle, mid-wide, mid-tele, and telephoto settings on zoom lenses
| Product | Value |
|---|---|
| Nikon Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 | -1.06 |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 [Nikon Z] | -2.18 |
| Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | -1.05 |
| Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 | 1.51 |
| Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR | 0.96 |
| Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR | -0.18 |
| Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 | 0.7 |
| Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 | 0.02 |
| Nikon Z 50mm f/1.4 | -0.39 |
| Viltrox AF 85mm f/2 Evo | 0.58 |
There's more to it than just the technical side, though! Beyond the lab, our reviewers test lenses in real-world environments. We work with lenses both indoors and outdoors, in studio conditions and in natural light, with as many different subjects as possible (or appropriate – there's no point testing a landscape lens' ability to shoot a portrait!).
We take into account everything from handling and ease of use to autofocus speed and the overall quality of the images produced.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
How to choose the best lens for the Nikon Z5 II & Z5
Which lenses fit the Nikon Z5 II & Z5?
The Z5 II and Z5 cameras use the Nikon Z mount and are compatible with all lenses designed for that mount. Nikon’s own Z-mount lenses all have Z at the start of their model names.
Some Z-mount lenses are designed for use with APS-C format cameras rather than full-frame cameras. Nikon lenses that fall into this category have DX as part of their model names. While they physically fit on the Z5 II and Z5, these lenses produce a cropped image, so they’re not ideal. None of the lenses in this guide is a DX-format lens.
If you are buying a third-party lens for your Z5II/Z5, always check that it is designed for full-frame (or FX) Nikon Z cameras, rather than APS-C (or DX) Nikons.
The Z5 II and Z5 are also able to use F-mount lenses, which are made for use with Nikon’s DSLR cameras. For this, you need the Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II. The idea is that owners of older DLSR cameras can buy a Z camera and still use their old lenses.
How do I know which lens to get for my Z5 II/Z5?
The reason there are so many types of lens in the first place is that different scenes demand different lens designs, particularly when it comes to focal length and aperture rating.
Usually, you will decide what you want to photograph, then get a lens with the focal length that suits the situation. For example, to shoot landscapes you will need a wide-angle lens, while for sports and wildlife you will need a telephoto.
You can watch this video that explains focal length: it helps you work out what kind of lenses you need for different genres of photography.
