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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

vs

Panasonic

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 — 42.5mm f/1.2 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,599

Launch price

Released Aug 2014

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is 4.5 years newer.

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Wins

0categories

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

7categories

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Video & HybridSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S wins 0 categories·LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 wins 5 categories
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Weight (425 g vs 805 g)
  • BLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 89 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Focal Length24-70 mm42.5 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountNikon ZMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight805 g425 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SLEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.0Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
8.5Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 4 Aspherical

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 supports it

  • Weight

    425 g vs 805 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    110 mm vs 126 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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)

LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2 at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Panasonic LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
42.5 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
42.5 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
17
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
2 ED, 4 Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.22 ×
0.25 ×+14%
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors (STM)
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Weight
805 g
425 g−380 g less
Length
126 mm
110 mm−16 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
70 mm−19 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
LEICA DG NOCTICRON 42.5mm F1.2
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Full Frame
Micro Four Thirds

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