The Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR could be the only lens that many Nikon Z50 (opens in new tab) and Nikon Z fc (opens in new tab) owners need, covering a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to mid-range telephoto. Previously, owners of these cameras were limited to the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (opens in new tab) kit lens and the Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (opens in new tab) telephoto.
First revealed in the Nikon Z lens roadmap (opens in new tab) back in July 2021, the new lens helps prop up Nikon’s rather thin looking DX mirrorless lens range. The focal range is the same as the Nikon’s AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DSLR lens, but this lens is significantly shorter and lighter and has a slightly narrower f/6.3 maximum aperture at full zoom.
Nikon has announced that its Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE (opens in new tab) prime lens, first announced with the Nikon Z fc, is at last available for pre-order – Nikon has been struggling with the same manufacturing and supply issues as the rest of the camera industry during the global pandemic.
The Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 SE is a full frame lens rather than one designed specifically for the Z50 and Z fc, but its small size and effective focal length of 42mm, make it a handy standard prime lens for these cameras, so you might argue that there are four lenses to choose from.
Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR features and specs
Nikon is billing the Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR as the ‘perfect travelling companion, thanks to its versatile 7.8x focal range, compact and lightweight body weighing just 315g, and a minimum focus distance of 0.2m (at wide focal lengths) for close up shots.
It comes with Nikon’s VR (Vibration Reduction) optical stabilisation system for up to 5 stops of shake compensation – neither the Z50 nor the Z fc have in-body stabilization and is sealed to protect it from dust and drips. Nikon says it’s ideally suited to both stills and video.
Here are the key specs:
Mount: Nikon Z
Format: DX
Focal length: 18–140mm (effective 27-210mm)
Maximum aperture: f/3.5 to 6.3
Minimum aperture: f/22 to 40
Lens construction: 17 elements in 13 groups (inc 2 ED and 2 aspherical)
Angle of view: 76° to 11°30’ (DX image area)
Minimum focus distance: 0.2m at 18mm, up to 0.4 m at 140mm
Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.33x
Vibration reduction: Yes
No. of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm opening)
Filter size: 62mm
Diameter x length: Approx. 73 mm x 90 mm (2.9 in. x 3.6 in.)
Weight: Approx. 315 g (11.2 oz)
Supplied accessories: LC-62B Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap)
Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR price and availability
The Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is expected to be available from November 2021 but is available for pre-order now, and will cost $597/$599.
