Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Announced: Zooming into the Videography World

On February 13, 2025, Nikon announced their newest Z Mount lens: the Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ. The “PZ” in the name stands for “Power Zoom” – one of many ways in which this lens is meant for videographers or hybrid shooters. At $2600, this is a very specialized lens, but it also represents an exciting new step for Nikon in the realm of videography. Here’s what you need to know.

Specifications

• Full Name: Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
• Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount
• Focal Length: 28-135mm zoom (4.8x zoom)
• Angle of View (Full Frame): 75° to 18°
• Maximum Aperture: f/4
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Aperture Blades: 9, rounded
• Filter Size: 95mm
• Lens Elements: 18
• Lens Groups: 13
• Special Elements: 4 aspherical, 3 ED, 1 aspherical ED
• Image Stabilization: No
• Internal Focusing: Yes
• Internal Zoom: Yes
• Control Rings: Zoom, focus, custom
• Function Button: Yes (duplicated on side and top)
• Switches: Zoom lever and A/M switch
• Focus Motor: STM
• Minimum Focus Distance: 34 cm (13 inches) at 28mm; 57 cm (22 inches) at 135mm
• Maximum Magnification: 0.25× (1:4)
• Mount Material: Metal
• Weather/Dust Sealing: Yes
• Dimensions (Length × Diameter): 178 x 105 mm (7.0 x 4.1 inches)
• Weight: 1120 g (2.47 lbs)
• MSRP: $2599.95 (Pre-order here)

In addition to these physical specifications, the Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ has a number of handling-related features that are tailored to videography. The focus and zoom rings are knurled for compatibility with follow-focus accessories. The lens is tailored for use with the High-Res Zoom feature found on the Nikon Z8 and Z9, allowing you to zoom from 28mm into (the cropped equivalent of) 270mm while maintaining 4K quality. Nikon designed the 28-135mm f/4 PZ to zoom internally and maintain a similar distribution of weight at different focal lengths, which makes it a natural fit for video gimbals.

As for the power zoom capability itself, it allows for some useful features not found on other Nikon lenses. First, the zoom lever on the side of the lens allows you to zoom very smoothly (at any of 11 pre-selected speeds). Beyond that, Nikon says that with camera firmware updates, it will be possible to customize the zoom ring angle and the direction of rotation. And it will also be possible to control the zoom operation remotely from a computer or phone using NX Tether, NX Field, or SnapBridge.

Impressions

The Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens is a new step for Nikon, and a big one – especially coupled with their acquisition of RED last year. It signifies that Nikon sees high-end video as one of their future business avenues, and they also see the Z Mount as being capable of joining the existing PL and EF mount lenses that currently dominate that space.

That’s especially clear given that this lens was paired with the announcement of the RED Komodo-X and V-Raptor X, the first cameras from RED with a Nikon Z mount. The 28-135mm f/4 PZ, then, makes sense either as a hybrid still/video lens (paired with something like the Nikon Z8 or Z9), or as part of a dedicated, higher-end cine setup from RED.

For videography, the biggest potential downside that I see is that the 28-135mm f/4 PZ is not completely parfocal – in other words, the focus point of this lens will change somewhat as it is zoomed. Nikon does mention that “shifts in focus position and the center of gravity that occur with zooming have been minimized,” but stops short of claiming the lens is actually parfocal. If you want to maintain the focus point while zooming, you may need to compensate with continuous autofocus or pull focus manually.

I look forward to testing how close to parfocal the Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ really is, and whether continuous autofocus is able to keep up with large changes in focal length quickly on this lens.

Finally, if you’re purely a stills photographer, I don’t think this is likely the lens for you.  It’s designed with video features in mind, both where handling and optics are concerned, and the result is a fairly large and expensive lens. Although the optical construction includes many of Nikon’s best technologies, much of that is in service of a lens that zooms internally and doesn’t have significant focus breathing. Whether or not it outperforms something like the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S in a lab environment is an open question, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the answer is no. Of course, I look forward to testing it and finding out!

Pre-Order Links

The Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ will be available beginning in April at an MSRP of $2599.95. You can pre-order the lens today at the links below:

• B&H: Pre-Order Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
• Adorama: Pre-Order Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

Press Release

Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ standard zoom lens for the Nikon Z mount system

In pursuit of superior operability and functionality that supports professional videography with built-in power zoom

February 13, 2025

Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, a standard zoom lens that is compatible with full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted. Development of this product was announced on October 30, 2024.

The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ is a standard zoom lens equipped with a power zoom*¹ that covers a broad range of focal lengths — from 28 to 135 mm. It offers videographers superior operability and functionality in situations that require agility, such as when shooting documentaries or shooting on location solo, and when reshoots aren’t an option. As the first NIKKOR Z lens with a zoom lever, the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ not only achieves smooth zooming but also allows users to choose from 11 different zoom speeds*² to match their creative needs and enable a wide variety of zoom styles. In addition, shifts in focus position and the center of gravity that occur with zooming have been minimized, allowing the user to shoot with confidence, even when constantly changing the focal length. The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ also supports a variety of video accessories that help videographers capture the footage they want on location, as well as offering remote control capabilities using a computer or smartphone. Thanks to the superior NIKKOR Z optical performance, this lens enables users to capture beautiful high-resolution 8K video while supporting efficient video shooting.

Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users’ needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.

¹ The camera must be running the latest firmware to use some functions.

² Firmware may require updating before using this feature. See the product page for compatible cameras. We plan to add support for some models with a future firmware update.

Primary features

• The NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ supports a convenient 28-135 mm range of focal lengths, allowing for a variety of compositions without changing lenses.
• The lens supports dynamic close-ups with a minimum focus distance of just 0.34 m in the 28 mm to 50 mm range and 0.57 m in the telephoto range.
• When used with the Nikon Z9, Hi-Res Zoom can be used for an angle of view equivalent to that of the 270 mm focal length with 4K video recording.
• Zooming speed can be selected from 11 speeds and assigned to the zoom lever or one of the camera’s Fn buttons.
• Zoom ring angle and direction of rotation can be customized to suit individual preferences.*¹
• Synchro mode enables simultaneous optical zoom and Hi-Res Zoom using a single control with video recording.*²
• Professional video accessories, including matte boxes and follow focus systems, are supported.
• Adoption of an internal zoom mechanism allows for comfortable zooming without concern for shifts in the center of gravity that may upset the balance of the camera-lens setup, especially useful when using a gimbal.
• Adoption of Nikon’s best anti-reflection coating, Meso Amorphous Coat, significantly reduces ghosts and flares.
• Adoption of a stepping motor (STM) ensures fast and quiet autofocusing.
• Optimized for video recording with a design that suppresses focus breathing.
• Support for linear MF drive enables smooth focusing.
• Comes with a rectangular lens hood that helps users control the amount of light entering the lens for less ghosts and flares. A filter adjustment window allows users to adjust circular polarizing and variable ND filters while the hood is attached.
• Zooming can be controlled remotely from a computer, smartphone, or tablet using NX Tether, SnapBridge, or NX Field.
• L-Fn buttons, to which functions can be assigned, are positioned on the side and top of the lens for smooth operation of assigned functions even when shooting in vertical (portrait) orientation.
• The lens is designed with a Nikon yellow ring around its mount.
• Nikon’s fluorine coat applied to the front lens element effectively repels dust, water droplets, grease, and dirt.
• Designed with consideration for dust- and drip-resistance.*³

¹ Firmware may require updating before using this feature. See the product page for compatible cameras. We plan to add support for some models with a future firmware update.

² Control ring operation is not supported.

³ Thorough dust- and drip-resistance is not guaranteed in all situations or under all conditions.