The full-frame mirrorless Nikon Z5 has arrived and it is as spectacular as you hoped. And as you would want to know for any spectacular camera, it is important to know all about the best lenses for Nikon Z5.
See our Editor’s Picks if you’re in a hurry!
Yes, even with just you and the Nikon Z5 traveling out into the world, amazing work will be able to be achieved. But it gets even better with the right lens.
That’s what this article is for. To help you delve into the many lenses and pick out the very best lenses for the Nikon Z5.
Whether you already have the camera or not, we’re here to help.
Navigating through so many lenses can make your head spin.
While providing many necessary details, we’re also going to break it down for you to be as simple as possible if that’s your cup of tea.
Additionally, we have to figure out what’s best for you specifically, as the best lens for Nikon Z5 won’t necessarily be the same one for everybody.
So, we have to figure out what you’re looking for. What you’re into.
What intentions you have with the camera and lens. Budget. Style of shooting. All that good stuff.
We’re going to review eight best Nikon Z5 lenses, all excellent in their own respect.
Four prime lenses and four zoom Nikon Z5 lenses.
This way you’ll have a nice variety to pick from.
Are you ready?
Let’s take a look at what we got in store for you!
Great Nikon Z5 / Lens Bundle on Amazon
Best Normal-Length-To-Telephoto Zoom Lens
(My Favorite)
Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
This zoom lens gives you flexibility between normal-length and telephoto, excellent aperture, excellent ability to capture bokeh, phenomenal color quality, and great protection from lens flare and ghosting.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Wide-Angle Lens for Color Quality
Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8
This prime lens gives you a nice, wide 14mm focal length and with its wide array of elements provides incredible color quality.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Wide-Angle Lens for Bokeh
Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
This wide-angle prime lens provides you with the best ability to capture bokeh of all the wide-angles.
It does only go as wide as 20mm but it also has the best aperture of all the wide angles.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Wide-Angle Lens for Flexibility
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
This wide-angle zoom lens is going to be the wide-angle lens for you if you need some flexibility and also if you want excellent protection from spherical aberrations and distortion.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Lens for Travelling & Beginners
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
This lens is a normal-length prime that is light and excellent for the traveler in you and with a good balance of details is a nice lens for beginners as well.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Lens for Portraits and Bokeh
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
This prime lens is not only the best portrait option and the best bokeh-portrait option, it’s also just the best bokeh option in general.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Wide-Angle-To-Normal-Length Zoom Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
This zoom lens gives you flexibility between wide-angle to normal-length, excellent aperture, excellent ability to capture bokeh and great protection from spherical aberrations, distortion, lens flare and ghosting.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best All-Around Zoom Option
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR
This zoom lens has the largest zoom range of all the lenses here.
It has a nice balance of elements to protect from aberrations and greatly reduces lens flare and ghosting.
Not to mention it’s the least expensive zoom lens on this list.
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
As mentioned, we’re going to help you find the best lenses for Nikon Z5, the new full-frame mirrorless camera, which you just purchased or plan to purchase.
And if you’re looking to get just one lens, great! We’ll help you narrow it down.
If you’re looking for multiple lenses, also great! We’re going to explain how each one excels.
If you haven’t put together any kind of checklist for things you want or need in a lens, let’s at least try to get you to start a mental one.
It’s OK if you don’t have a whole ton of ideas off the top of your head as to what you need in a lens. We can figure that out as we go along.
For starters, do you have a budget?
This could play an important role in your decision-making process as there are a wide range of prices on this list.
You’ll get a good idea how the prices vary and also why they vary in the way that they do.
Do you have certain styles of photography that appeal to you?
Are you a landscape lad or an animal photographer who waits quietly in your far-off vantage point?
Is color quality important?
How about the weight of the lens?
If this is something you want to travel around with a lot it may be helpful to go light.
Oh, and don’t forget about bokeh. Are you a bokeh lover?
Who doesn’t love some good bokeh? There are some lenses on this list more suited for that.
Yes, we have some quick answers to some questions.
But we’ll give some more detailed answers for those of you that want to hear every morsel of information on each lens!
So, try to come up with items for your checklist.
Come up with any questions you have and we’ll make sure to answer them as we go along.
Let’s dive into the fun details of all these excellent specimens… and let’s figure out the best lenses for Nikon Z5!
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon Z50
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D6
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D780
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D3100
Read also: Best lenses for Sports photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Wildlife photography
Read also: Best lenses for Real Estate photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Car photography
What are the Best Lenses for Nikon Z5 in 2021?
Quick Answer:
Best Prime Lenses for Nikon Z5
Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z5
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S | Most Flexible Wide-Angle Nikon Z5 Lens
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR | Best All-Around Nikon Z5 Zoom Lens
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S | Best Wide-Angle-To-Normal-Length Nikon Z5 Zoom Lens
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | Best Normal-Length-To-Telephoto Nikon Z5 Zoom Lens (My Favorite)
Comparison Table for the Best prime Lenses for Nikon Z5 (2021)
Comparison Table for the Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z5 (2021)
Best prime Lenses for Nikon Z5 in 2021
1. Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 | Best Wide-Angle Nikon Z5 Lens for Color Quality
Let’s start with the one lens on this list that is actually not from Nikon.
Though, it is of course, compatible with the Nikon Z camera series, this is the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 from Rokinon.
Some people prefer their lens to be from the same brand as their camera.
Many realize that as long as they’re compatible, then you’re all good.
And when you branch outside of the brand, you can find some interesting and unique features and qualities.
This wide-angle prime lens will run you somewhere between $430 – $500 making it the least expensive prime lens on my list of the best Nikon Z5 lenses.
That’s a nice feature, let’s dive into the details a bit more to find out what else you’ll get.
TECH SPECS
The 14mm focal length affords you a great wide-angle.
The widest angle you can get among these prime lenses, this is terrific for landscape photography and things of that nature.
And with the f/2.8 aperture, you are afforded bright photos and videos in many conditions.
Though this isn’t the fastest aperture of the prime lenses, it’s still a fast aperture for wide-angle shooting.
This Samyang comes with a six-blade diaphragm, which will serve you well in shooting.
However, if you are on a quest for bokeh, this wouldn’t be the lens to get from this list.
This lens also features Ultra Multi-Coating on its elements to minimize ghosting and lens flare to help you create quality photos.
Now, let’s talk about some really unique features on this lens.
It has 14 elements in 10 groups which is on the top end in this list of prime lenses.
Among those 14 elements are 1 Aspherical element and 1 Hybrid Aspherical element, which do their part to limit spherical aberrations and distortion from your images.
It also features 2 Extra-Low Dispersion elements and is the only of the prime lenses to have any High Refractive Index elements… of which it has 3!
These 5 elements combined do an immaculate job of keeping your color quality pristine and precise. Virtually no color fringing or chromatic aberrations will be present in your work when you use this lens.
If you want the most correct representations of colors in your work, then this is the best lens for Nikon Z5.
It is important to note that this lens weighs 810 grams making it the heaviest prime lens here.
Hopefully that isn’t too much of a bother to you, unless the extra weight really would affect you.
But rounding out some details with this lens, you also have manual focus, a petal-shaped lens hood to block stray light and weather-sealing, which allows you to work outdoors in some inclement weather conditions.
It’s clear to see that there are plenty of qualities with this lens that make it appealing to many.
Pros
- Wide-angle (widest of the prime lenses)
- Best color quality among prime lenses and all wide-angle options
- Weather-sealing and a petal-shaped lens hood to block out stray light
- Least expensive prime
Cons
- Though still good aperture, worst aperture among prime lenses
- Heaviest of the prime lenses
- Not the best for bokeh
- Decent coating but not the very best
Expert Opinion:
2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S | Best Wide-Angle Nikon Z5 Lens for Bokeh
Now, we move on to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S. This is another great wide-angle prime lens specially for bokeh.
This lens does actually come from the Nikon brand and is perfectly suited for those wanting a high-quality wide-angle lens for their new Nikon Z5.
It costs just about $1,050, so there is quite the jump from the previous lens to this one.
We’ll go over all the excellent qualities it possesses so that you’ll see why this has a higher price tag.
TECH SPECS
As you can see from the name of the lens, this gives you a 20mm focal length.
This is a great wide-angle also well-suited for landscapes, real estates, etc.
Though the 20mm is obviously not quite as wide as the 14mm focal length from the Samyang we reviewed before, this is wide enough to get the job nicely done.
And a plus with this lens is that you step up in aperture.
Here you are afforded an extremely bright f/1.8 so you will have no issues with light.
Even in tough lighting conditions, this lens will pull through and reward you with perfectly clear shots! For the brightest wide-angle shots, this is the best lens for the Nikon Z5.
This prime lens has a round nine-blade diaphragm which is going to assist you in capturing some excellent bokeh if that’s what you’re out there trying to get.
Bring out your inner artsy self.
And the Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating will do an impeccable job preventing ghosting and lens flare.
Those should be of no worries to you with this lens.
Coming equipped with 14 elements in 11 groups, this prime lens has a lot to offer to keep your images sharp.
3 Aspherical elements will block out spherical aberrations and distortion better than any of the other prime lenses.
3 Extra-Low Dispersion elements will prevent chromatic aberrations and color fringing quite well, keeping your color on point.
It’s not the lightest prime lens, but at 505 grams, it is much lighter than the previous wide-angle lens.
With two separate autofocus drive units, the autofocus in this lens is precise.
Feel you can do better?
Switching over to full-time manual focus is possible as well.
And a dust and moisture resistant lens barrel affords you the opportunity to work outside even in varying weather conditions.
If those landscapes are calling to you, don’t let the clouds scare you away.
This lens can handle it!
Pros
- Best aperture among wide-angle lenses
- Great wide-angle option
- Great for bokeh
- Among the best coating for prime lenses
Cons
- Most expensive prime lens
- Though a great wide-angle, not the widest angle available
Expert Opinion:
3. Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | Best Nikon Z5 Lens for Travelling and Beginners
Now, maybe the wide-angle lenses are all good and fine but you’re more interested in a normal-length prime lens.
Then, say hello to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S.
This is a fantastic normal-length prime lens that you’re bound to love.
It will cost you just about $600, which isn’t too steep. Especially when you see what it can do!
TECH SPECS
The 50mm focal length is your happy medium to capturing all types of photography.
Pair this with the fantastic f/1.8 aperture and you’re going to get extremely sharp images and phenomenal image quality.
Yet another prime lens with a rounded nine-blade diaphragm.
Bokeh-lovers rejoice!
This lens will afford you the ability to capture beautiful bokeh in a variety of settings complemented by this normal focal length.
And with Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating to keep these elements at their very best, you will have no problems with lens flare and ghosting.
They will basically be eradicated providing you with clean images and videos as you shoot and film to your heart’s desire.
This lens comes with 12 elements in 9 groups.
Among these are 2 Aspherical elements which will block out spherical aberrations and distortion so you can keep your images crisp.
Also, 2 Extra-Low Dispersion elements for great color quality.
Limited color fringing and chromatic aberrations while you work with this lens.
Granted there are more of these elements with the prior two lenses, this lens isn’t skimping and for a normal-length prime, this lens is credited to amazing creation.
A plus to this lens is its lightweight design.
Weighing just 415 grams, it is not only the lightest prime lens on this list, it’s the lightest lens overall.
Great to note for the traveler in you that needs to pack light and efficiently but still keep a quality lens on hand.
A great autofocus lens that will also allow you to switch to manual focus is you desire.
Dust and moisture resistant for your outdoor using pleasure.
Don’t worry about a little rain with this lens.
Plenty to love about this prime option.
Pros
- Best aperture among normal-length options
- Great balance of all details and elements; great for beginners
- Great for bokeh
- Among the best coating for prime lenses
- Lightest option and ideal for travel
Cons
- Doesn’t necessarily excel in any one area
Expert Opinion:
4. Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S | Best Nikon Z5 Lens for Portraits and Bokeh
And here we move on to an excellent prime lens that is your key to beautiful portraits and more.
This is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S. This lens will cost about $800. So, let’s dive in and get to the exciting details.
TECH SPECS
The 85mm focal length is a fantastic detail for your portrait photography needs.
Pair that with the f/1.8 aperture that you’ve grown accustom to seeing on these prime lenses and you have bright and beautiful photos just at your fingertips.
This combination will not disappoint.
At this point, you’re probably also used to seeing lenses with a rounded nine-blade diaphragm but don’t let this go unnoticed.
That is an excellent quality for very pleasing bokeh.
And the Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating will prevent ghosting and lens flare so your shots won’t be hindered y any outside noise or distractions.
This lens keeps your shots clean!
This prime lens also comes with 12 elements in 8 groups.
These include 2 Extra-Low Dispersion elements for excellent color quality and limited color fringing and chromatic aberrations.
Now, this lens does not have any aspherical aberrations, which can be considered a downside in every-day photography.
But if paired with the rounded nine-blade diaphragm, this actually helps you in achieving delicious bokeh in your shots!
So, if it’s bokeh you’re after, this is the best lens for Nikon Z5. Especially at this focal length!
Weighing 470 grams, this is quite a light lens, easy to bring around with you wherever inspiration takes you.
Two separate autofocus drive units give you impeccable autofocus capabilities.
And of course, you can still go the route of manual focusing if you so please.
Dust and moisture resistant for this incredible prime lens, so if it’s outdoor portrait you’re looking for, don’t let the inclement weather conditions stop you.
This lens will be just fine.
Pros
- Good number of elements
- Best option for bokeh
- Best aperture among portraiture options
- Among the best coating for prime lenses
- Another fairly light and decent travel option
Cons
- Though decent number of elements, does not have as many as other options
- Though there are no aspherical elements, this can be used to your advantage for bokeh
Expert Opinion:
Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z5 in 2021
5. Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S | Most Flexible Wide-Angle Nikon Z5 Lens
Moving on to the zoom lenses, we will start off with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S.
This is an excellent wide-angle zoom lens affording you plenty of great features.
It costs about $1,300 which is more expensive than all the prime lenses we have reviewed so far, but somewhat on the inexpensive side when it comes to the zoom lenses we will review.
With a lot to offer, let’s dive into the details about this lens that you will truly love.
TECH SPECS
As noted, this is a wide-angle zoom lens… and a spectacular one at that!
The focal length range of 14-30mm gives you a nice, wide-angle, which is actually tied for the widest you can get together with the first prime lens on my list.
It also gives you flexibility up to 30mm so you don’t have to be so committed to one focal length.
Where it has the advantage with the flexibility, the aperture is not quite as good as the other two wide-angle lenses.
The f/4 aperture is still great and stays consistent throughout the zoom range which is a nice plus.
Look to this wide-angle zoom if you’re interested in landscapes photogarphy but also interested in flexibility.
A rounded seven-blade diaphragm will definitely aid you in achieving some really nice bokeh.
And the Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating is an excellent detail for preventing lens flare and ghosting in your work.
The 14 elements in 12 groups is the lowest number you’ll see among the zoom lenses, but it is far from a negative as it outweighs many of the prime lenses.
And with 4 total Aspherical elements, it is one of the lenses with the most Aspherical elements therefore making it incredible at blocking out spherical aberrations and distortion.
It also has 4 Extra-Low Dispersion elements which also ranks it very high on this list when you are looking at this category.
And when you are looking at color quality, reducing color fringing and chromatic aberrations, this is an excellent choice.
For great balance and great volume among Aspherical elements and Extra-Low Dispersion elements, this lens is a top choice.
Weighing in at 485 grams it is the lightest zoom lens on this list.
The lightweight design makes it easy to bring with you wherever you go.
Not a hindrance to pack it up and take it with you.
This lens has a stepping motor for some quick and quiet autofocus and you may also switch to manual focus if you wish.
It is dust and moisture resistant so you can use it outdoors no matter the conditions.
And exposed elements also tout a fluorine coating for extra protection against dust and grease and the like.
All in all, this wide-angle zoom lens will not let you down.
Well balanced and well suited for many landscape lovers!
Pros
- Best wide-angle lens in terms of flexibility
- Great coating for blocking out lens flare and ghosting
- Rounded seven-blade diaphragm can create nice bokeh
- Great balance of elements and blocks out many types of aberrations
- Lightest option for zoom lenses
Cons
- Aperture is good but the lowest among wide-angle options
- Not the best coating among zoom lenses
- Not the best option for bokeh among zoom lenses
6. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR | Best Nikon Z5 All-Around Zoom Lens
Here we are going to step a little deeper into the amazing world of zooming.
This lens here is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR.
The zooming capabilities with this lens are off the chart. If you come here for zoom… welcome to zoom.
This lens costs just about $900, which actually makes it the least expensive zoom lens on this list.
Let’s dive into all the details with this one.
TECH SPECS
As mentioned before, this zoom lens can really zoom!
A 24-200mm focal length range is the largest range available, giving you the most flexibility of all these best Nikon Z5 zoom lenses.
This is perfect for those who are planning to dabble in multiple different styles of photography or just want to be able to adjust their focal length at will.
The aperture is pretty good on this lens, but you’ll likely notice that the f/4 – 6.3 is lower than the rest and also not consistent throughout the zoom range.
This is a sacrifice you’ll have to make in order to get the flexible zoom range, but the aperture can still get the job done in many situations and at its best the f/4 is actually tied with the aperture of the previous lens.
A range between wide-angle to extreme zoom… what else can this lens boast?
A rounded seven-blade diaphragm is incorporated to give you the ability to capture some nice bokeh.
And how about ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats applied to the elements of this lens in order to do an impeccable job of limiting ghosting and lens flare?
Incidental light will be blocked from both diagonal and vertical directions.
Your photos will not be impeded by these outside interferences.
With this lens you’ll also get a nice large amount of 19 elements in 15 groups. This includes 2 Aspherical elements, 1 Aspherical ED element and 2 Extra-Low Dispersion elements.
All of this means you will not have many problems with aberrations affecting your work.
Spherical aberrations, chromatic aberrations, distortion and color fringing will all be kept in check.
This balanced number of elements will keep the quality of your work clean and clear.
A lighter zoom lens at about 570 grams in weight, you can travel quite easily with this option.
A stepping motor for fast and quiet autofocus, the ability to switch to manual focus, and yet another lens that is dust and moisture resistant.
This lens has a lot to offer and for those that want the full scope of a zoom range allowing them ultimate flexibility… this is certainly the best lens for Nikon Z5.
Pros
- Best zoom range of all lenses, most flexible
- Rounded seven-blade diaphragm can create nice bokeh
- Good balance of elements and blocks out many types of aberrations
- Phenomenal coating for blocking out lens flare and ghosting
- Least expensive zoom lens
Cons
- Lowest aperture among all lenses and is inconsistent throughout zoom range
- Not the best option for bokeh among zoom lenses
- Doesn’t have the best protection from aberrations of all the zoom lenses
Expert Opinion:
7. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S | Best Wide-Angle-To-Normal-Length Nikon Z5 Zoom Lens
Now, moving on to one of the last two lenses on this list… let’s say you want some zooming capabilities… but you’re more interested in impeccable aperture.
These next two will be the lenses for you.
This one right here, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a great wide-angle to normal-length zoom lens.
It does cost just about $2,300 but you’re going to see in a second why it has such a high price tag.
TECH SPECS
As mentioned, the 24-70mm focal length range will give you a sizeable amount of flexibility from wide-angle to normal-length.
This is a decent amount of flexibility for those who don’t want to be stuck in just one tight range.
Now, where the focal length range is not matching the lens we previously reviewed, it far surpasses it with an incredible f/2.8 aperture.
Not only is this aperture much brighter and going to help deliver excellent quality shots even in tougher lighting conditions… but the aperture also stays consistent throughout the zoom range.
You also get a rounded nine-blade diaphragm with this lens for achieving some excellent bokeh if you like.
Desiring bokeh at a wide-angle and also perhaps a more normal-length… then this is the best lens for Nikon Z5.
And the ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats that are applied to these Nikon zoom lenses are incredible at preventing ghosting, lens flare and blocking out incidental light from both diagonal and vertical directions.
You’ll get 17 elements in 15 groups with this lens.
These include 4 Aspherical elements which matches the first zoom lens for most aspherical elements.
So, this will be one of the best for keeping your work free of spherical aberrations and distortion.
And with 2 Extra-Low Dispersion elements this lens can keep color fringing and chromatic aberrations at bay quite well.
Weighing about 805 grams, this is a heavier lens, it likely needs to be heavy to include all these great features though.
So, it’s a reasonable downside, if you would even call it a downside.
With a multi-focus system that has two autofocus drive units the autofocus is excellent.
You can switch to manual focus if you find yourself to be even more excellent and a focusing master.
And of course, the dust and moisture resistant design on the elements means you don’t need to worry much about the weather forecast.
Take this lens with you on all your outdoor adventures!
Pros
- Flexible zoom range from wide-angle to normal-length
- Among the zoom lens’s best aperture options and aperture is consistent throughout zoom range
- Phenomenal coating for blocking out lens flare and ghosting
- Good number of elements, especially Aspherical elements to block out spherical aberrations and distortion
- One of the two best zoom lenses for bokeh
Cons
- Heavier lens
- More expensive lens
Expert Opinion:
8. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | Best Normal-Length-To-Telephoto Nikon Z5 Zoom Lens (My Favorite)
And now we’ve come to the last lens on the list of best Nikon Z5 lenses.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is incredible and you could say that we saved the best for last.
For many people that is true. We definitely saved the most expensive for last. This lens will run you about $2,600.
And not for no reason. The details speak for themselves.
TECH SPECS
The focal length range of 70-200mm is going to give you great flexibility in the telephoto range.
This zoom range is just as much as number six on the list, and though it doesn’t zoom out quite as far, it covers a large area.
And it has a leg up in several other areas.
One being that exquisite aperture of f/2.8.
A nice, bright aperture that will lend to your photos being high quality and assist in difficult lighting situations.
This lens excels in this area, not to mention the aperture stays consistent throughout this second largest zoom range.
Like the lens before it, this lens has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm which will help you to achieve some downright delicious bokeh.
Bokeh in the telephoto zoom range? Yes, look to this lens here.
And with the ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats you will be sure that ghosting, lens flare, and incidental vertical and diagonal light are of no problems.
You’ve seen this combination of coatings on the past couple lenses… and for good reason. These coatings are magnificent.
And this zoom lens also features the most elements of all the lenses.
21 elements in 19 groups is already enough to grab your attention. But let’s break it down even further than that.
2 Aspherical elements will do quite a nice job blocking out spherical aberrations and distortion.
And that’s nice, but listen to this. If you want pristine and perfect color… the most accurate color quality… then this is the best lens for Nikon Z5.
Because this lens features 6 Extra-Low Dispersion elements, which will already do a lot to prevent chromatic aberrations and color fringing.
On top of that it also has a Fluorite element and a Short-Wave Refractive Index element, which lend even further to preventing those types of aberrations. The short version. Perfect colors with this lens.
At 1,360 grams, this is the heaviest lens by far.
But it is a compromise you’ll make for the excellence this lens brings.
Two separate autofocus drive units equals impeccable autofocus for your convenience.
Of course, you can switch to manual focus any time you want.
This lens is also dust and moisture resistant for use outdoors and in inclement weather conditions.
And a vibration reduction image stabilization system will help you to reduce the appearance of camera shake, especially when zoomed all the way in.
All in all, this zoom lens delivers on many levels and is a fantastic choice for those that want a great telephoto zoom lens.
Pros
- Flexible zoom range from normal-length to telephoto
- Among the zoom lens’s best aperture options and aperture is consistent throughout zoom range
- Phenomenal coating for blocking out lens flare and ghosting
- Greatest number of elements including the most elements to keep color quality impeccable
- One of the two best zoom lenses for bokeh
Cons
- Heaviest lens
- Most expensive lens
Expert Opinion:
Best Lenses for Nikon Z5 — Buyers Guide
So, now that you have gotten the detailed breakdown of each lens, its time to put all that information to good use.
Time to take that information and use it to get you the best lenses for Nikon Z5.
The information alone may be enough for some people to figure out which lens is best for Nikon Z5 and their particular work.
But for those of you that need some more help, we got you covered.
There’s a lot to consider. What do all of the details of each lens mean for you and what you want to accomplish with your Z5?
We’re going to go through a list of frequently asked questions on this very topic, provide you with answers, and help make more sense of all of this. So, let’s get to it.
What are the best lenses for Nikon Z5 in terms of all-around zoom capability?
This one is a fairly easy question.
If it’s pure zoom range that you want, choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR, the largest zoom range of them all.
However, if you’re not crazy about the aperture and its inconsistent nature throughout the zoom range… the second largest zoom range belongs to the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S which has a brighter and consistent aperture.
What are the best Nikon Z5 lenses for bokeh?
First, I must mention the two best zoom lenses for bokeh are the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, which obviously have very different focal length ranges and may impact your decision.
But that is for zoom lenses.
The very best lens overall, including prime and zoom lenses, is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S.
That’s your best bokeh buddy right there.
What are the best wide-angle lenses for Nikon Z5?
Depending on your preferences, there are three good answers here:
Choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S if you want a little flexibility in the zoom range.
At its best you get that wide 14mm focal length and can move up to 30mm.
You also have better protection from spherical aberrations, distortion, ghosting and lens flare with this option.
Or you can choose the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 if you don’t need flexibility in the focal length and are fine with a constant 14mm.
With this option you get a brighter aperture for better usage in tough lighting conditions, you’ll have slightly better protection from chromatic aberrations and color fringing and the cost is much lower.
Or if you go with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S, you get the best aperture afforded to you.
You don’t have the widest 14mm focal length but the 20mm focal length is quite good.
You have a good balance in elements protecting from all sorts of aberrations, fantastic protection from lens flare and ghosting, and this is the best wide-angle lens for bokeh.
Can’t go wrong with any option though.
What’s the best lens for Nikon Z5 for someone who is fairly new to photography?
Here, I might suggest the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S.
This is a very balanced lens through and through.
Good number of elements, great coating, can produce excellent bokeh.
Nice normal-length focal length.
And the cost is fairly inexpensive.
If you are relatively new to photography, you probably wouldn’t want to be spending too much on a lot of details that wouldn’t be of so much use to you with your limited knowledge.
This lens does everything great and is balanced and a bonus… you’ll get one of the best apertures available on this list!
What are the best lenses for Nikon Z5 in terms of color quality?
The best prime lens for color quality is the wide-angle Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8.
This is especially great to know if your interest is landscapes, architecture, real estates, etc. But this is only the second best on this whole list in terms of color quality.
The very best in terms of color quality is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.
With 6 Extra-Low Dispersion elements leading the whole list in that category, it already has a leg up.
On top of that, it also has 1 Fluorite element and 1 Short-Wave Refractive Index element meaning your color quality will be impeccable with this option.
What if color quality isn’t as important to me and I just want the best lens for Nikon Z5 in terms of shooting black and white photos?
This is a good point. Granted you do want the correct black and white colors portrayed to some extent… but why pay extra for elements that aid in color quality if you only want to shoot in black and white?
Why not shoot for a camera that excels in other areas?
While there is no perfect answer, here are the lenses that focus least on color quality and more so in other areas.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S is an excellent normal-length prime that can produce incredible bokeh.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a phenomenal portraiture prime lens that also produces amazing bokeh.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4 – 6.3 VR focuses mainly on full on zoom capability from wide-angle to telephoto.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S gives you a great wide-angle to normal-length focal range, produces beautiful bokeh and is great at limiting spherical aberrations, distortion, lens flare and ghosting.
What’s the best Nikon Z5 lens if I travel a lot?
Here, I would choose the lightest lens on the list, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S.
A nice normal-length prime lens that is very balanced and doesn’t leave you stuck in wide-angle or portrait arenas.
Travel all over with this light lens and capture Earth’s beauty!
Best Lenses for Nikon Z5 — Conclusion
So, there you have it. There is a lot to consider but there are also a lot of options that can suit you well.
The best lens for Nikon Z5 is waiting for you and it is here on this list.
Whether you’re looking for wide-angles to capture landscapes, a great portrait option, a little bit of zoom flexibility, a lot of zoom flexibility, fantastic bokeh, fantastic color quality, or some combination.
There is a lens here for every possible type of photography or videography you could be interested in.
And some lenses serve multiple purposes.
So, get your checklist in order and once that’s all settled, it will be easy to select your very best lens for Nikon Z5.
With this list, you’re in very good hands.
