Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S review

The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S is the widest-angle Nikon Z-mount prime lens to date, combining versatility with top performance

5 Star Rating
Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

When you want a wider viewing angle than your 24-70mm zoom can deliver, this is the ideal prime lens for Z 6 and Z 7 cameras. Image quality is up to the typically terrific standard of Z-mount NIKKOR S-line lenses, and you can enjoy similarly refined handling, virtually silent autofocus, and negligible focus breathing. Overall, it’s a superb lens that’s equally capable for stills and movie capture, and it’s also a delight for astrophotography.

Pros

  • +

    Spectacular image quality

  • +

    Negligible focus breathing

  • +

    Filter thread with separate hood

Cons

  • -

    Relatively pricey

  • -

    No focus distance scale

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The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S has a lot to live up to. Both of Nikon’s 24-70mm Z-mount f/2.8 and f/4 zooms are tremendously versatile, but what do you do when you want a wider viewing angle? 

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.