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Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S

A compact, yet versatile ultra-wide angle zoom

By Spencer Cox 85 Comments
Last Updated On November 13, 2022

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The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S was one of the most hotly anticipated Nikon Z lenses, especially given that it is the first ultra-wide for the new mirrorless system. So far, every Z lens has received near-universal praise for its image quality. However, photographers’ initial impressions of the ($1300) Nikon 14-30mm f/4 were… much more mixed. How does this lens really fare overall, from automatic lens corrections to sample variation? This review explains everything you need to know.

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S

I spent a couple of weeks using the 14-30mm f/4 for landscape photography around the American Southwest to evaluate the lens. Meanwhile, Nasim tested a second copy in New York for architectural and environmental portrait photography. In either case, both the desert and the city are great for ultra-wide zooms – and the 14-30mm f/4 S covers an ideal range of focal lengths for many landscape and travel photographers.

14mm is wide enough for most subjects, and 30mm is actually a bonus compared to 24mm (where typical 14mm zooms stop). The 14-30mm focal lengths fit nicely as part of an “f/4 zoom trio,” if only Nikon had an f/4 trio for the Z system. (There is a 24-70mm f/4 S, but there’s no 70-200mm f/4 S on the roadmap yet, or indeed any lightweight telephoto.)

Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S Sample Photo 16
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 18.5mm, ISO 64, 20 seconds, f/5.0

At the time of publishing this article, the 14-30mm f/4 is one of two native ultra-wide lenses for the Nikon mirrorless system (i.e., wider than 24mm). The other is the 20mm f/1.8 S, which we are reviewing presently. The next one on Nikon’s schedule is the first “pro” ultra-wide Z lens, a 14-24mm f/2.8 S. So, if you want to use your Nikon Z6 or Z7 with an ultra-wide right now, you don’t have many options. It’s pretty much the 14-30mm f/4, the 20mm f/1.8, or adapted lenses.

That said, I’m glad Nikon went this route rather than introducing the 14-24mm f/2.8 first. The 14-30mm f/4 simply has a broader appeal than the upcoming f/2.8 zoom, which will be significantly heavier and more expensive by comparison.

Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S Sample Photo 9
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14mm, ISO 200, 1/5, f/16.0

Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S Specifications

  • Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount
  • Focal Length Range: 14-30mm
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
  • Aperture Blades: 7 (rounded)
  • Filter Size: 82mm
  • Lens Elements: 14
  • Lens Groups: 13
  • Special Elements: 4 Aspherical, 4 ED glass
  • Fluorine Coating: Yes
  • Nano Crystal Coating: Yes
  • Super Integrated Coating: Yes
  • Electronic Diaphragm: Yes
  • Focus Motor: AF-P Stepper Motor (STM)
  • Internal Focusing: Yes
  • Internal Zooming: No
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 28 cm (11 inches)
  • Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1:6.25, or 0.16x Magnification
  • Weather/Dust Sealing: Yes
  • Mount Material: Metal
  • Dimensions (Diameter by Length): 89 x 85 mm (3.5 x 3.35 inches)
  • Weight: 485 g (17.1 oz)
  • Angle of View: 114° (at 14mm) to 72° (at 30mm)
  • Made In: Thailand

Detailed specifications for the lens, along with MTF charts and other useful data can be found on the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S page of our lens database.

Nikon Z 14-30mm f4 S Sample Photo 21
NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14mm, ISO 64, 1/800, f/7.1

On the next page, we cover the 14-30mm f/4’s build quality and handling compared to other lenses on the market:

Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Build Quality and Handling
  • Optical Features
  • Lens Comparisons
  • Summary
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Lens Reviews, Nikon, Nikon Lens, Nikon Reviews, Ultra Wide Angle Lens

About Spencer Cox

I'm Spencer Cox, a macro and landscape photographer based in Denver. My photos have been displayed in galleries worldwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and exhibitions in London, Malta, Siena, and Beijing. These days I'm active on Instagram and YouTube.

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