To my mind, the Nikon Z fc is a thing of beauty in its own right, harking back to the design of the Nikon FM film SLR and rather like Nikon's retro-revival Nikon Df – though with a smaller APS-C sensor and a MUCH more affordable price tag. So what are the best lenses to get for the Nikon Z fc? This is where it gets a little more complicated.
Beautiful as it is, and while the Nikon Z fc is one of the best Nikon cameras, it doesn't have that many lenses yet. It's true that you can use all the full frame Nikon Z lenses on this camera, but these can be big and expensive, and the smaller APS-C sensor in the Z fc produces a 'crop factor' which reduces the effective angle of view of full frame lenses.
Some of the best Nikon Z lenses are great for the Z fc, mind, even if they are for full frame cameras, and I've got some on my list. For the most part, though, a smaller format camera like this needs lenses designed for the smaller sensor, particularly for wider angles of view.
I've also made sure to include plenty of dedicated Nikkor Z DX lenses, and the good news is that in addition to the two kit lenses and a telephoto lens that arrived at the start, Nikon has added an extra-wide-angle zoom and a handy little fast prime lens. It's still early days, but the lens range for the Nikon Z fc is already enough to cover most users' needs.
You'll see that I've put 'equivalent' focal lengths in our lens specifications below. This is so that you can judge their focal lengths in full frame camera terms. I'm also paying special attention to in-lens VR (Vibration Reduction) systems, since the Nikon Z fc does not have in-body stabilization.
Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews Editor. He has used practically every interchangeable-lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium-format cameras, so he has the expertise to select the best Nikon lenses for you.
The Quick List
Kit lenses sometimes get a bad rep – but this one gives you a versatile standard zoom range, packs down small and won’t break the bank. Read more below…
Whether you want to shoot landscapes or film yourself for a vlog, the extra-wide angle of view on this zoom has got you covered. Read more below…
Tailor-made for the Z fc’s smaller image sensor, this prime is the ideal focal length for street work, or just for walkabout shooting. Read more below…
This is made with full-frame cameras in mind, but it works great on the Z fc – there’s even a retro-styled SE version. Read more below…
This is like having a 28-70mm and a 70-200mm lens rolled into one – supremely versatile, and compact and light with it. Read more below…
On the Z fc, this zoom gives you a focal length range that’s ideal for capturing action up close or photographing wildlife. Read more below…
View the full list ⤵
This affordable prime gives you life-size magnification, so you can capture some great close-up shots, and makes a decent portrait lens too. Read more below…
Best portrait lens
If you fancy a bit of portrait prime time, this is the perfect lens for any Nikon Z DX camera. Its aperture control ring is well suited to the Z fc and it’s amazing value for money. Read more below...
Best lenses for the Nikon Z fc
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Best standard zoom for the Z fc
The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is the standard kit zoom for the Nikon Z fc – and if you're debating whether to get this camera body only or pay just a little more to get the kit zoom too, I can help you out. Get the kit zoom!
This lens offers a really useful 24-75mm focal range in full-frame terms, and its retracting mechanism means it packs away really small. It's a versatile little lens too, because it can focus right down to 20cm for close-up shots. It even has a control ring for different camera functions.
I would say that the plastic build means it doesn't exactly have a premium feel, but at this price, what would I expect? It’s still a lens with a lot of charm that you’ll enjoy using as your everyday lens.
Read more: Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR review
Best wide-angle zoom for the Z fc
When the Nikon Z DX-format cameras came out I was worried that there weren't any ultra-wide-angle lenses for it, as this is one of the first lens types I would recommend after a telephoto. But Nikon has put that right, launching the excellent Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR.
This doesn't just offer wide-angle shooting for stills photography, but makes a great vlogging lens too. The extra-wide angle of view is ideal for arms-length walk-and-talk style filming, and its in-built VR will help with any jitters. The PZ (power zoom) mechanism offers smooth zooming while filming, and the lens doesn't change length while you do it, so it's not going to upset the balance if you use it on a gimbal.
The Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is light, compact, and very keenly priced for a lens of its type. Bravo, Nikon!
Read more: Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR review
Best street photography lens for the Z fc
Prime lenses have become very popular in the past couple of years. They're smaller and lighter than zooms, have faster maximum apertures and need less correction for optical issues like distortion. So I was really pleased to see Nikon launch the Z DX 24mm f/1.7 prime, because it's designed specifically for the Z fc's smaller sensor and shows real commitment to this new format.
With an effective focal length of 36mm in full-frame terms, this is a really handy walkaround 'street' lens or semi-wide standard lens for all sorts of photography. There's no optical stabilization, but that's normal on prime lenses and the fast f/1.7 maximum aperture will offer lots of help in low light. This is a very light, compact and effective lens at a very good price.
Read more: Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7 review
Best standard prime for the Z fc
Here's another prime lens you might like to consider getting for your Nikon Z fc. It's available in both a 'plain' and an 'SE' version styled to match the Z fc (though this does cost a little more). This also covers the full-frame format too, so it's a lens you can take with you if you upgrade to a full-frame Nikon Z camera, like the Nikon Z5 in our image above.
On the Z fc, the Z 40mm f/2 gives an effective focal length of 60mm, so it works like a slightly 'long' standard lens. The key feature here, though, is the f/2 maximum aperture, which should deliver nice background defocus effects. The Nikon Z 40mm f/2 is small and light and great value for money, though of course at this price you can't expect professional build quality and materials.
Read more: Nikon Z 40mm f/2 review
Best telephoto zoom for the Z fc
There's no doubt that a longer zoom range is useful, and there may be times when the Z fc's regular 16-50mm lens won't let you zoom far enough for faraway subjects. That's where the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR steps in. Its 27-210mm equivalent focal range means it's practically a superzoom lens and one that can tackle a far wider range of subjects. It's not usually available as a kit lens option, though, and it is quite expensive as a standalone purchase, so you might want to think carefully.
It is pretty compact and light for a lens with this range, but it's a bit disappointing that it comes with a plastic mounting plate. That's normal on cheaper lenses, but this isn't a cheap lens.
Read more: Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR review
Best superzoom for the Z fc
The Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR is a compact, light and effective telephoto zoom designed specifically for the Nikon Z fc and other Nikon Z DX cameras like the Z50 and Z30. A telephoto lens is usually the first choice for an additional lens, and this one doesn't disappoint, with an impressive 75-375mm full-frame equivalent focal range – that's impressive magnifying power for a lens this small and light.
The build is plastic, as is the mounting plate, but don't let that put you off – it helps keep the weight of the lens down, and doesn't affect its optical performance, which is very good at this price. The slow maximum aperture of f/6.3 is a bit disappointing, but the Nikon Z fc delivers good image quality at higher ISOs, so you can use this to get faster shutter speeds where needed.
Read more: Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR review
Best macro lens for the Z fc
Nikon doesn't make a macro lens specifically for the DX format Nikon Z fc – but this full frame macro lens will do just fine! The Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro offers the 1:1 close-up capability of a true macro lens, and on the Z fc it offers an effective focal length of 75mm, so it can also double up as a short telephoto or even a portrait lens.
There's no optical Vibration Reduction, so you will be well advised to use a tripod for macro shots (it's good advice even with stabilization) and the shooting distance is just two inches at maximum magnification, so it could cast a shadow on your subject or scare off timid insects. That aside, though, this is a great macro lens for the Z fc, and at a price that won't scare off Z fc owners either.
Read more: Nikon Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro review
Best portrait lens for the Z fc
I absolutely love this lens. Thanks to the DX crop factor, it has approximately an 85mm ‘effective’ focal length, coupled with a fast f/1.4 aperture rating. That’s a perfect combination for portraiture and what’s more, the Viltrox combines excellent sharpness with really smooth and creamy bokeh. It’s really nicely turned out as well, with a metal barrel and metal mounting plate, compared with all-plastic Nikon Z DX lenses. Even the lens hood is made from sturdy metal, yet the lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight, at just 320g. It also happens to be amazing value for money. Another bonus is that it features a de-clicked aperture control ring, ideal for shooting video. My only real problem is picking just one. Viltrox also offers AF 23mm f/1.4 and AF 33mm f/1.4 lenses in the same series, with equally classic approximate 35mm and 50mm effective focal lengths respectively. All three are equally budget-friendly and are pretty much identical in size, weight and handling characteristics.
Read more: Viltrox AF 56mm F1.4 Z review.
Lab data and comparisons
The graphs below show the comparative performance of the lenses in this guide, based on our in-house lab tests. The prime lenses lead the way for sharpness in this group, with the exception of the Nikon Z DX 24mm f/1.7, although the zooms also do very well on the whole. Color fringing and distortion are well controlled on the whole, and automatic in-camera correction is available for these aberrations anyway, which often can’t be disabled.
Scores for sharpness and color fringing are averaged from data taken across the entire image frame, from the center to the edges and corners, throughout the aperture range. For zoom lenses, the scores are also averaged from data measured at all marked focal lengths, and the same applies to distortion. Bear in mind that these average values don't fully reflect specific areas of performance. For example, a zoom lens might have noticeable barrel and pincushion distortion at its shortest and longest focal lengths respectively, which tends to average out when looking at the data overall. For more detailed graphs of each lens's performance, which give the full picture, check out the graphs in our full standalone lens reviews.
How to choose the best lens for the Nikon Z fc
Which lenses fit the Nikon Z fc?
The Z fc uses the Nikon Z lens mount and is compatible with all lenses designed for that mount. Nikon’s own Z-mount lenses all have Z at the start of their model names.
You can can use any Z-mount lens on the Z fc, although some Z-mount lenses are designed for use with APS-C format cameras such as the Z fc, rather than full-frame cameras. Nikon lenses that fall into this category have DX as part of their model names. These lenses are typically smaller, lighter and cheaper than the equivalents designed for full-frame cameras.
If you buy a DX lens and later upgrade to a full-frame Nikon Z camera, the image you get through the DX lens will be cropped compared with a full-frame lens.
The Z fc is also able to use F-mount lenses, which are made for use with Nikon’s DSLR cameras. For this, you need an adaptor such as 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 Z fc?
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.
How we test lenses
The lens experts in our testing lab run a range of tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the centre of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths.
There's more to it than just the technical side, though! Beyond the lab, our reviewers test lenses in real-world environments – and sometimes on professional shoots! We work with lenses both indoors and outdoors, in studio conditions and in natural light, with as many different subjects as is 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 speed of autofocus and the overall quality of the images produced.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
