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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S — 85mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 1 year newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Portrait

Wins

5categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 85 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.11 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 995 g)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length85 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight995 g695 g
Min Focus85 cm21 cm
Filter Size82 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

103 × 141 mm

995 g (2.19 lb / 35.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 21mm longer and 15mm wider than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 300 g heavier than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
10.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 Aspherical

  • 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

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

  • Special elements

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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 995 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.11 × — higher is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 141 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

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 85mm f/1.2 S

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

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 85mm f/1.2 S and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
85 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
85 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
15
20
Groups
10
15
Special elements
3 ED, 1 Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
85 cm
21 cm−64 cm less
Max magnification
0.11 ×
0.32 ×2.9× more
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
995 g
695 g−300 g less
Length
141 mm
120 mm−21 mm less
Diameter
103 mm
88 mm−15 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 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 June 2026.