Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200/4-6.3 VR Lens (24-200mm f/4-6.3)

Overall Rating:

This lens is 5 years old and made in Thailand. It has three aspherical elements (one ED) and three ED elements (one aspherical). Two of the ED elements are large front-element ones. It is compact for a 8.3× superzoom lens and, like most Nikkor Z lenses, features a stepper autofocus motor which focuses quickly and quietly. It is a varifocal zoom because it changes focus as it is zoomed. There are two choices of a kit lens for the Nikon Z5, this one and the little, inexpensive Nikkor Z 24-50/4-6.3. In 2020, this lens debuted at a price of $900 (USD), and it was introduced when 45MP cameras were modern.

Note: this lens was hugely popular at its introduction and many Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S kit lenses were introduced to the second-hand market as a result.

Performance

There is a very small amount of color fringing. It is very well controlled for a superzoom and as good if not better controlled than in the Nikkor Z 24-50/4-6.3. There is vignetting to be found that does not improve much by stopping down. Barrel distortion is present at f=24mm, and that is about it! Distortion is not uncommon in a superzoom, however, it is especially well controlled in this one.

Color fringing detail at 3-to-1.

This lens is sharpest at f=35mm to f=50mm. The lens softens a touch as it is zoomed to f=24mm and f=200mm.

The autofocus is zippy and dead silent. It is a good choice for video w/on-camera mic. There appears to be no focus breathing at any focal length (except when focused closely), so using a depth of field calculator should not be a problem.

The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens is a sharper lens at wider apertures but with significantly greater weight and size. It is hard to tell the difference between these lenses when shooting at f/8.

Notice the vignetting at f=200mm above. This is common in superzooms, and it can be easily removed in post.

The performance of this lens is leap and bounds better than the F-mount AF-S 28-300mm/3.5-5.6 G ED VR superzoom lens. Its is better in every metric except reach, obviously.

Compared to the Nikkor Z 24-120/4 S

As can be seen above, these lenses are not so different. The Nikkor Z 24-120/4 S is larger (and heavier). Extended, the 200mm lens is just a bit longer than the 120mm one. One lens is faster while the other has greater reach. It really is a hard decision to make between the two. It should be stated, this lens focuses less decisively when zoomed out to 200mm due to the f/6.3 maximum aperture.

It is thought the reason this lens has VR is because the IBIS in Nikon Z cameras cannot as effectively accommodate the 200mm focal length. This probably greatly benefits the shorter focal lengths as VR and IBIS combine for greater effectiveness!

Infrared

Infrared performance not tested.

Bokeh

The bokeh looks pleasing. Like all Nikkor Z lenses, the diaphragm is round even with only seven diaphragm blades so specular highlights look natural. Rings form in out of focus specular highlights at wider angles but it is very minor. It is not enough to create distraction.

Ghosting & Flaring

This lens exhibits very little ghosting or flaring when photographing a subject with a bright background like the sun behind a tree. This is no doubt thanks to the super-advanced coatings modern lenses, like Nikkor Z lenses, have.

Compatibility

Because this is a Z-mount lens designed for Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras, it is not compatible with older DSLR cameras.

Construction

The diaphragm has seven blades and is rounded.

This lens does not exhibit zoom-creep even though it has a 24mm-lock function/button.

Apertures

Specifications

Images

Related links:

• Nikon Nikkor Lens Reviews
• All Lens Reviews