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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S — 24–120mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S — 70–200mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,599

Launch price

Released Oct 2020

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is 1 year newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

TravelLandscape

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 3 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Weight (630 g vs 1360 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Length (138 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal Length24-120 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight630 g1360 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Portrait
5.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
6.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

  • Weight

    630 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

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 24-120mm f/4 S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
120 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
20
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Weight
630 g−730 g less
1360 g
Length
138 mm−102 mm less
240 mm
Diameter
70 mm−11 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR 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.