Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Review

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Specifications

Lens Specifications
* Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area 
Lens TypeZoom Lens
Focal Length24-200mm
Mount TypeNikon Z
FormatFull Frame / FX
Compatible Format(s)Full Frame / APS-C
Compatible with TeleconvertersNo
Zoom Ratio8.3x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio0.28x
Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization)Yes
Aperture Information
Aperture RingNo
Maximim Aperturef/4-6.3
Minimum Aperturef/22-36
Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format)61°
Minimum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format)
Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format)84°
Minimum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format)12°20'
Optical Information
Lens Elements19
Lens Groups15
Diaphragm Blades7 (Rounded)
Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements2
Special Glass Elements1 Aspherical ED
Aspherical Elements2
Super Integrated Coat (SIC)Yes
Fluorine CoatingYes
Focus Information
FocusAutofocus
Built-in Focus MotorYes
Stepper Motor (STM)Yes
Internal FocusingYes
Minimum Focus Distance0.5m (at 24mm) and 0.7m (at 200mm) from focal plane
Electronic DiaphragmYes
Filter Information
Filter Size67mm
Accepts Filter TypeScrew-on
Physical Characteristics
Weather / Dust SealingNo
Mount MaterialMetal
Dimensions76.5mm x 114mm
Weight570g
Other Information
Available in ColorsBlack
Supplied AccessoriesLC-67B Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap), HB-93 Lens Hood, CL-C1 Lens Case

What strikes me about these specifications is that Nikon really pulled all the stops considering this isn’t an “S-series” lens – i.e., supposedly not one of their pro-level lenses. The 24-200mm has all of Nikon’s top coatings, plus two ED glass elements, two aspherical elements, and one additional aspherical/ED glass element. It has weather sealing and a metal lens mount. I’m left thinking that the only reason Nikon didn’t add this to the S lineup is the maximum aperture of f/4-6.3, which is more befitting of an entry-level lens. (The other possibility is that Nikon is making a comment about the lens’s image quality. We’ll get back to that later.) Otherwise, the 24-200mm shares basically all the same characteristics as S-series lenses like the Nikon 14-30mm f/4 and 24-70mm f/4.

Here’s Nikon’s lens construction diagram for the 24-200mm f/4-6.3:

Nikon 24-200mm f4-6.3 Lens Construction Diagram ED Glass Aspherical

That’s a lot of lens elements. Nineteen, to be exact. It’s not out of line for a superzoom, but it’s still more than the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (17 elements) and behind only the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S (21 elements) of the Z lenses so far.

Nikon certainly isn’t shying away from designs these days that make the most of their flexible Z mount. Take a look at the rear lens element in the diagram above. It’s almost popping out of the lens! Because Nikon Z cameras have a very short flange distance (only 16mm between the camera sensor and the lens mount), the rear element of the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 ends up being less than 20 millimeters / 0.8 inches away from the camera sensor. That simply wouldn’t be possible on a DSLR, where the rear element would bump into the mirror at such a short distance.

Beyond that, most of the 24-200mm f/4-6.3’s specifications are within expectations. It has a good maximum magnification of 1:3.57 for close-up photography, though dedicated macro photographers will prefer something like the Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 macro. It’s priced about where it should be at $900, with sales sometimes bringing it down to $800. And, as I mentioned before, it’s very light: just 570 grams / 1.25 pounds. Not bad on Nikon’s part.

The maximum aperture values drop down a bit sooner than on some superzooms, but it’s still within expectations. Here are the maximum aperture values at common focal lengths as you zoom in:

  • 24mm: f/4.0
  • 28mm: f/4.5
  • 35mm: f/4.8
  • 50mm: f/5.6
  • 70mm: f/6.0
  • 85mm and beyond: f/6.3
Nikon Z5 Image Sample #21
NIKON Z 5 + NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR @ 97mm, ISO 100, 1/80, f/8.0

Next, we’ll take a look at what you’ve all been waiting for: image quality. So, click “Optical Features” in the menu below to go to the next page of this review.

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