Nikon Z-mount lenses

Z mount arrived in 2018. Its opening is wider than any other full-frame mount, which gives Nikon’s optical designers room that shows up most clearly in fast primes like the 58mm f/0.95 Noct and in the corner performance of the f/1.8 S-line.

The S-line is the dividing line

Nikon splits Z lenses into S-line and non-S. S-line means better optics, better build and weather sealing; non-S lenses are lighter and cheaper. The f/1.8 S primes are unusually good for their price and are the reason many people moved to Z.

Sigma and Tamron now release Z-mount lenses, so the budget end has options it lacked at launch.

DX and FX

DX lenses cover APS-C bodies such as the Z50 and Zfc. They mount on full-frame Z bodies but crop. Filter for Format: Full-frame if you shoot or plan to shoot FX.

Coming from F mount

Nikon’s FTZ adapter keeps autofocus on AF-S and AF-P lenses. Screw-drive AF-D lenses mount but focus manually only — a real limitation, and the most common surprise for people bringing an old Nikon kit across.