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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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

TravelLandscape

Wins

4categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S wins 2 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Weight (630 g vs 1045 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Length (138 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length24-120 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight630 g1045 g
Min Focus38 cm40 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 SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
5.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
6.0Good
4.0Fair
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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Control ring

    Only NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S supports it

  • Weight

    630 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II 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

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
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
17
Groups
15
14
Special elements
Aspherical
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
38 cm−2 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.3 ×+20%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
630 g−415 g less
1045 g
Length
138 mm−62 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
70 mm−18 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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.