Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens is the shortest and lightest full-frame format zoom lens in its class, a compact standard zoom designed for Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras and commonly bundled as a kit lens with bodies like the Z5. Easy to carry and an absolute thrill to shoot, it covers the sweet spot of the focal length range, hitting the most essential “standard” focal lengths from 24mm to 50mm in a single, pocketable lens, well suited to first-time full-frame mirrorless users and everyday, travel, and walkaround photography.

Optically, the lens covers a 24-50mm focal range with a variable maximum aperture of f/4 at the wide end narrowing to f/6.3 at full telephoto, down to a minimum of f/22-36. The 11-element, 10-group optical design includes two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements, effectively compensating for axial chromatic aberration and reducing color bleeding, along with three aspherical elements to reduce spherical aberrations and distortion for sharp imagery with accurate rendering. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color fidelity, and a rounded 7-blade diaphragm contributes to natural, pleasing bokeh.

Autofocus is handled by a stepping motor (STM), delivering impressively smooth, quiet, and fast autofocus performance for both stills and video, with focus breathing suppressed for smooth, professional-looking refocusing during video recording. Smooth, click-free iris control delivers natural exposure changes with automatic exposure control during movie recording. Notably, the lens has no AF/MF switch (focus mode is changed via the camera menu) and no VR (Vibration Reduction), relying instead on in-body stabilization on compatible Nikon Z camera bodies.

A standout feature of this lens is its retractable design, collapsing to a sleek 2.9-inch (51mm) length when not in use, making it especially well suited for travel. The lens maintains a constant minimum focus distance of 0.35m (1.15 ft.) at all zoom positions, yielding a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.17x at the 50mm position, and includes a programmable control ring, by default set to adjust manual focus but also usable for aperture or exposure compensation control.

Build quality includes dust- and drip-resistant sealing designed to help prevent dust and water droplets from entering the lens. The lens accepts a 52mm filter thread, measures approximately 73.5-74mm in maximum diameter by 51mm in length (retracted), and weighs approximately 195g.

As an FX-format lens, the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 delivers its full 84°-47° angle of view on Nikon full-frame Z-mount bodies while remaining compatible with Nikon DX-format APS-C cameras at an effective 36-75mm equivalent focal range (61°-31°30′ angle of view).

Key Features
– 24-50mm standard zoom for Nikon Z-mount, FX-format (full-frame)
– Shortest, lightest full-frame zoom lens in its class (as of 2020)
– Maximum aperture f/4-6.3 (variable)
– 11 elements in 10 groups, including 2 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements
– Super Integrated Coating
– Stepping motor (STM) autofocus with suppressed focus breathing
– Smooth, click-free iris control for video
– No AF/MF switch (menu-based); no VR (relies on in-body stabilization)
– Rounded 7-blade diaphragm
– Retractable design (51mm length when retracted)
– Constant minimum focus distance of 0.35m (1.15 ft.) at all zoom positions
– Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.17x (at 50mm)
– Programmable control ring
– Dust- and drip-resistant sealing
– 52mm filter thread
– Approximate weight: 195g
– Compatible with Nikon full-frame (FX) and APS-C (DX) Z-mount cameras