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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

Sony

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Sony E Mount

E 16-55mm F2.8 G — 16–55mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2019

E 16-55mm F2.8 G is 8 months newer.

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Wins

0categories

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

4categories

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

LandscapeTravel

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S wins 0 categories·E 16-55mm F2.8 G wins 4 categories
  • BE 16-55mm F2.8 G has lower Weight (494 g vs 805 g)
  • BE 16-55mm F2.8 G has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 89 mm)
  • BE 16-55mm F2.8 G has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.22 ×)
  • BE 16-55mm F2.8 G has lower Length (119 mm vs 126 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SE 16-55mm F2.8 G
Focal Length24-70 mm16-55 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNoNo
Weight805 g494 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm62 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 SE 16-55mm F2.8 G
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
8.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Wildlife
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
2.0Limited

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 E 16-55mm F2.8 G

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    494 g vs 805 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    119 mm vs 126 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.22 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

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 24-70mm 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)

E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Pros

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

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 E 16-55mm F2.8 G at major authorized retailers.

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 24-70mm f/2.8 S
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
55 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
16
Groups
15
12
Special elements
2 ED, 4 Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
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
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Weight
805 g
494 g−311 g less
Length
126 mm
119 mm−7 mm less
Diameter
89 mm
65 mm−24 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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