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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S — 20mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,049

Launch price

Released Mar 2020

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

Nikon's flagship S-Line standard zoom offering incredible resolution and custom OLED info panel.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S is 1.1 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

1categories

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S wins 4 categories·NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S wins 1 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S has lower Weight (505 g vs 805 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has higher Max magnification (0.22 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 SNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Focal Length20 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight505 g805 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 SNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Portrait
6.0Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
6.0Good
7.0Good
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    505 g vs 805 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    121 mm vs 126 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    86 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 4 Aspherical

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.22 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Pros

  • Stunning resolution and contrast across zoom range
  • OLED information panel displays focal length, focus, or aperture
  • Multi-focusing stepping motor system for silent, rapid AF
  • Almost zero focus breathing

Cons

  • No optical stabilization (relies on Nikon body IBIS)
  • No mechanical aperture ring (uses control ring instead)

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Focal length (Min)
20 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
20 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
10
17
Groups
8
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 ED, 4 Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Min focus distance
30 cm−8 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.22 ×+47%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors (STM)
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Weight
505 g−300 g less
805 g
Length
121 mm−5 mm less
126 mm
Diameter
86 mm−3 mm less
89 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.