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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

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 6 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

TravelLandscape

Wins

5categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S wins 1 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length24-120 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight630 g695 g
Min Focus38 cm21 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
5.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
6.0Good
7.0Good
Travel
6.5Good
5.5Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    630 g vs 695 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — 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 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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
120 mm
70 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
20
Groups
15
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
21 cm−17 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.32 ×+28%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
630 g−65 g less
695 g
Length
138 mm
120 mm−18 mm less
Diameter
70 mm−18 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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