Is Nikon’s first professional zoom for the Z-series a success? Michael Topham pairs it with the Nikon Z 7 to find out

Nikon user for over 45 years. I decided to plunge into a zoom lens, and glad I did. I've had it 4 months now, taken about 800 pictures. Hard to describe the sharpness and detail this lens provides. It's fast, quiet, and super sharp into the corners.

Although Nikon announced the 45Mp Z7 and 24Mp Z6 at the same time, the Z7 went on sale first. It was accompanied by two Z-mount lenses, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S and 35mm f/1.8 S. A few weeks later, they were joined by the Z6 and the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 .

While it's a shame that picture and sound quality haven't been upgraded, the iPhone 13 was great in these regards and the iPhone 14 is, too Excellent display Admirable headphone performance Solid build quality No upgrades to picture or sound Familiar design Notch is still present

Apple's latest non-Pro iPhone is superb - it's just that it's strikingly similar to last year's effort.

Still an incredible smartphone, Brilliant battery life gets a bit better, Excellent camera system gets a bit better

Last year’s Pro hardware, Wireless charging slow by modern standards, No USB-C; it’s now well overdue

This might be the costliest Z-mount lens yet – and by some margin too – but its performance goes a long way to justifying that price tag. Aside from a couple of aberrations that are relatively easy to rectify, there's impressively little to fault. Handling is great, autofocus is beautifully smooth and fast, and detail is exceptional. What a lens!

Reasonably compact; Smooth, fast and almost silent AF; Stellar sharpness, even at f/2.8; Great build and weather sealing;

Vignetting at wider apertures; Barrel and pincushion distortion; Control ring can't be clicked; Built-in raw profile doesn't correct vignetting

Nikon understands that if it wants to get pros excited about its mirrorless system, it needs to have the lenses to match. So it's no surprise that the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S ($2,299.95), a must-have lens for most working photographers, is an early entry. Nikon's most recent take on the design is an exceptional performer, one of the sharpest 24-70mm f/2.8 zooms we've seen for any system, but it also comes with a premium price—it's one of the most expensive lenses of this type on the market. That doesn't stop it from earning Editors' Choice marks—it's the standard zoom you'll want to pair with your Nikon Z camera for sure. A Very Modern Nikkor The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 is around the same size and weight as similar lenses for other systems. It measures 4.9 by 3.5 inches (HD), weighs 1.8 pounds, and supports 82mm front filters. If you prefer a smaller, lighter zoom, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S is probably a better fit. It captures half the light at maximum aperture, but is just 3.5...

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a standard zoom with lens outstanding optical performance and a pro-grade build.

Very sharp; Minimal distortion; 1:4.5 macro magnification; Weather protection and fluorine coat; Programmable control button; Quick, silent autofocus

Visible vignette; Sensitive control ring; Telescoping design; Pricey

For many serious photographers, the zoom range of 24-70mm f/2.8 is a must-have. Thankfully, this exotic Nikkor is worth every penny, if you need what it offers.

Unparalleled image quality, Flagship-grade durability, Good portability & great handling, Numerous unique features, Reliable autofocus & manual focus performance, Good value, if you need what it offers

Big investment if you don't use 24-70mm often, Uncompromising image quality means slightly larger & heavier than no-frills alternatives

Now that Nikon’s Z range has had a little bit of time to bed in, it’s no surprise to see the company introducing new and exciting new optics to complete the line-up. While the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens makes a lot of sense as an everyday lens, or one to use while travelling, professionals working...

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S is a general-purpose zoom designed for Nikon’s full-frame Z-series mirrorless cameras and offers a one stop faster focal ratio than the Z 24-70mm f4.0 S 'kit zoom'.