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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is a useful starting point for a one-lens travel kit; the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a dedicated portrait candidate, and the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ is worth considering when controlled zooming matters for video. None is an objective winner for every Z5II owner: Nikon’s published material confirms compatibility and product specifications, not side-by-side lens performance.
First, check Z5II lens compatibility
The Nikon Z5II is a full-frame FX camera with a Z mount. Nikon says NIKKOR Z lenses are compatible. F-mount NIKKOR lenses need a mount adapter, and restrictions may apply; check the specific lens and adapter combination before relying on an older lens. Nikon’s Z5II product page provides the camera’s compatibility guidance.
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Best starting point for travel: NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
This full-frame standard zoom is a practical all-round candidate if you want a useful general-purpose range without frequently changing lenses. Nikon also used it at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode for the Z5II stabilization measurement. That makes it a relevant pairing, not proof that it outperforms other lenses.
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If you want more telephoto reach in a single lens, consider the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR instead. The trade-off to weigh is its broader range against its narrower maximum aperture at the long end. Nikon’s full-frame lens catalog lists both models; compare their size, weight, price, and handling for your actual trip before choosing.
#1 Best Overall
- Camera compatibility: Compatible with FX and DX format Nikon Z series mirrorless (24mm-120mm on an FX format Z camera), (36mm – 180mm on a DX format Z camera).
- Close focusing: Show the smallest details by getting as close as 1.15 ft. from your subject at any zoom position, including 120mm.
- Autofocus: Autofocus is split between two high-speed, ultra-quiet STM stepping motors, enabling close focusing, edge-to-edge sharpness and virtually no color bleeding or focus breathing.
- Custom control ring: Turn the ring on the lens to control, aperture, ISO or exposure compensation.
- Dedicated manual focusing ring for smooth and precise manual focusing.
Portraits: choose by working distance and aperture
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
The 85mm f/1.8 S is a sensible dedicated short-telephoto option for portraits. Its focal length and maximum aperture make it a distinct choice from a general-purpose zoom, but the right fit depends on how much room you have to work and how tightly you want to frame your subject.
Other portrait options
Nikon’s catalog also includes 50mm primes, the 85mm f/1.2 S, the 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, and 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms. A wider-aperture or longer lens may suit a particular shooting style, but can change the cost, size, weight, and distance needed to frame a subject. Background blur also depends on distance and framing, so a lens’s maximum aperture alone does not guarantee a particular look. Check Nikon’s lens catalog for current model listings, then compare the specific lens against your budget and working space.
Rank #2
- Fast 50mm prime for Z Mirrorless cameras
- Uncanny f/1.8 performance, extreme sharpness and virtually zero distortion
- New ultra-quiet stepping motor for silent focusing
- Beautiful bokeh and superior Low-light performance
- 5-Axis Dual detect optical VR powered by Z cameras
Video: consider the 28-135mm f/4 PZ for power zooming
Nikon lists the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, a relevant candidate if controlled power-zoom operation suits your video work. It is not established as the best video lens for the Z5II: the cited product information does not compare its zoom behavior, autofocus sound or transitions, focus breathing, or performance against alternatives. Nikon also lists the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, which may be a better focal-range or aperture fit for some projects. Evaluate these factors with your own style of shooting rather than treating a model name or designation as a performance ranking.
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The camera records 4K UHD up to 60p, but its 60p mode is cropped; changing lenses does not remove that crop. Nikon also lists N-RAW, H.265, H.264, electronic vibration reduction, time codes, N-Log, HLG, and a vari-angle monitor. Check the Z5II specifications when planning framing and recording settings.
Rank #3
- Covers a broad range of focal lengths—from 28mm to 400mm, with a 14.2x zoom.
- A minimum focus distance of 0.2 m at the maximum wide-angle position and a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.35x at 28mm allows users to get closer to their subjects for dynamic expression.
- A total length of approx. 5.57 in. (141.5 mm) and a weight of approx. 1.6 lbs (725 g)—the lightest lens in its class—make this an easy lens to carry and shoot hand-held.
- Stable VR performance equivalent to a 5.0-stop increase in shutter speed effectively reduces blurring in dimly lit surroundings and with hand-held shooting. When paired with a compatible camera, Synchro VR can be activated to achieve up to 5.5-stop stabilization by combining in-camera VR and lens VR.
- Support for linear MF drive enables smooth focusing, which is especially useful for video shooting.
For handheld footage, distinguish in-body vibration reduction from optical stabilization in a lens. Nikon’s still-photo stabilization figure is not a measure of video stabilization, and the cited specifications do not establish how a particular lens behaves during video recording.
How to narrow down two or more candidates
- Framing and range: Pick focal lengths that suit the subjects and distances you commonly shoot. A longer maximum focal length provides more reach, but does not by itself make a lens the better travel choice.
- Aperture: Consider whether you need a wider maximum aperture for low-light shooting or subject separation, and whether the lens’s aperture range fits your work.
- Stabilization and handling: Check whether the lens has VR, how you will carry it, and whether its balance and controls suit handheld or supported shooting.
- Video operation: Consider zoom control, focusing behavior, and the camera support your setup requires. These are meaningful comparison points, but Nikon’s cited listings do not provide controlled comparisons for them.
- Budget and size: Verify current prices, weight, and dimensions for the exact models you are considering; do not assume that a longer, brighter, or more specialized lens suits your budget or kit.
What the Z5II stabilization figure does—and does not—tell you
Nikon reports in-camera vibration-reduction performance equivalent to 7.5 stops at the center and 6.0 stops at the periphery, measured to the CIPA 2024 Standard with the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S at its telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Those are test-condition figures, not a guarantee for every lens, focal length, or shooting situation. They also should not be read as video-stabilization results. See Nikon’s specifications for the camera and test conditions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Camera compatibility: Compatible with FX and DX format Nikon Z series mirrorless (on DX-format cameras, the lens has a field of view of 60mm)
- Fast & quiet Autofocus: AF System greatly suppresses focus breathing to prevent angle-of-view shifts during recording: also allows for smooth iris adjustments with the click-less control ring to create a natural shift in brightness.
- Custom control ring: Customize the way you shoot. Use it for precise manual focusing or to adjust aperature, ISO, or exposure compensation.
- Beautiful background blur: The shallow depth of field of f/2 is enhandced by the lens' 9 rounded blade diaphragm, creating a natural bokeh effect.
Rank #4
- Fast, quiet VXD linear motor for high-speed and high-precision autofocus
- MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 7.1” at wide end and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7 for creative close-ups
- Compact at 4.7" long and weighing just 19.4 oz
- Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating
- TAMRON Lens Utility expands the possibilities of still photography and video shooting
Bottom line by shooting need
- One lens for mixed travel: Start with the 24-120mm f/4 S if general-purpose range matters more than maximum reach.
- More reach without a lens change: Compare the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, accounting for its variable maximum aperture.
- Dedicated portraits: Consider the 85mm f/1.8 S, then compare it with Nikon’s other portrait primes or zooms for your working distance and budget.
- Video with controlled zooms: Evaluate the 28-135mm f/4 PZ, checking its real-world operation and your framing needs, especially for cropped 4K/60p.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
