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

Updates:
07/15/2020: Gallery Images added
06/02/2022: Hands-on Review added

Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor Hands-on Review

A versatile, useful all-in-one full-frame zoom for Nikon mirrorless cameras

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 06/08/2022

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 30.5mm (45mm equiv.), F11, 1/6s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor might not be the most exciting zoom lens in the growing Z lens lineup, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important. While many photographers hope to have a full assortment of F2.8 zoom lenses, they're costly, and you must regularly change lenses to take full advantage of their respective focal length ranges. Sure, it's nice to have 24-70mm F2.8 and 70-200mm F2.8 zoom lenses. They offer great image quality and a fast aperture. However, they cost $2,300 each and are relatively large and heavy. Pro lenses are prohibitively expensive for many photographers.

That's why an all-in-one zoom, like the Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR, is so important for the Z system. The 8.3x zoom lens covers the same focal length range at a fraction of the price. The lens is on sale for just under $800, a $100 instant savings.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 150mm, F6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In exchange for utility and affordability, you must give something up. In the case of the 24-200mm lens, you lose light-gathering capabilities and a shallow depth of field. You'd expect to give up something in terms of image quality, but, as we'll see, it's not so simple. Ultimately, you can't have it all, especially not for under $1,000. However, in use, it doesn't feel like you compromise much with the Z 24-200mm lens. It's impressively sharp and delivers strong all-around performance.

Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR key features and specifications

• All-in-one 8.3x full-frame zoom lens
• Aperture range of F4 to F36
• Includes Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization
• Weather-sealed design
• D x L: 76.5 x 114 mm (3.01 x 4.49 in.)
• At maximum extension, lens is 177.8 mm (7 in.)
• Weighs 570 g (1.25 lb)
• 67mm filter thread
• 19 elements in 15 groups
• Includes 2x ED, 2x aspherical, 1x aspherical ED elements
• Includes ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coating to reduce ghosting and flare
• Stepping Motor AF system
• Minimum focus distance is 50 cm (1.64 ft.)
• Maximum magnification of 0.28x
• 7-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
• $896.95 (as of writing, on sale for $796.95)

Lens design and handling: A reasonably compact and lightweight lens, given the zoom range

The Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens has a simple, straightforward design. At its minimum length of 114mm (4.49 in.), the barrel is dominated by a large zoom ring. The zoom ring rotates smoothly, with only moderate resistance. The barrel includes a locking switch to keep the lens at its minimum length and prevent creep when the lens isn't in use. The barrel has focal length markings at 24, 35, 70, 105, 135 and 200mm. Zooming from 24mm to 200mm requires about 90 degrees of rotation.

The lens employs an extension zoom design, meaning that as you zoom from 24mm to 200mm, the lens increases in length. At maximum extension, the lens is 177.8mm (7 in.), a nearly 56% increase in overall length. At 200mm, the lens can feel a bit off-balance. It's not quite front-heavy, but it does feel a bit different in the hands.

The 24-200mm is an extension zoom, meaning that it extends in length as you zoom.

That said, the lens is lightweight. It weighs 570g (1.25 lb), which is very manageable. Paired with a small body like the Z fc, the lens feels slightly large, but not overly so. But on a camera like the Z6 or Z7, the lens feels good. Add the fact that the lens has VR, and it's a nice lens for handheld shooting.

Aside from the "Lock" switch on the barrel, there are no other buttons or switches. I wish the lens included an AF/MF switch, but it doesn't, so you must go into your camera's menus to enable manual focusing. Granted, even when you do, you use the "control ring" as a focus ring, and the manual focus experience with the ring isn't great. It feels quite loose and imprecise. Autofocus will perform well for most situations, so a lesser manual focusing experience isn't a big deal. It's something you give up when you opt for a sub-$1,000 zoom lens rather than one of Nikon's flagship $2,000+ S-Line lenses.

You also give up a bit of overall "feel," for lack of a better word. The lens doesn't have the same polish as Nikon's more expensive lenses. The lens nonetheless offers weather resistance, with extensive sealing around the moving parts of the barrel and both ends of the lens. I felt comfortable using the lens in adverse conditions, and I believe it will hold up quite well to normal use in typical conditions. I might keep it covered in a downpour, but other than that, it should be good.

Ultimately, the lens is all about versatility. It looks and feels utilitarian. It doesn't have an OLED information display or L.Fn buttons, or even an AF/MF switch, but it's well-built to perform its task, and it feels plenty good in the hands.

Image quality: Surprisingly sharp

The Nikon Z 24-200mm lens includes 19 elements across 15 groups, which is quite a lot of glass. Among these elements, there are two ED elements, two aspherical elements and a single aspherical ED element. The lens also includes ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coating to reduce ghosting and flare.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 125mm (187mm equiv.), F11, 0.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each test scene and aperture in the Gallery.

24mm

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F4, 1/640s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F4. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 24mm and F4, center sharpness is excellent. The lens delivers strong resolution at its wide-open aperture across most of the full-frame image area and all the DX image area. Performance drops off as you move toward the corner, although performance is never terrible. It's noticeably softer but not bad. There's a bit of fringing in the corner, too, but it's slight. What's more noticeable is the vignette, which is quite evident at F4.

When you stop down to F5.6, the vignette is mostly controlled. At F5.6, you also benefit from slightly better corner performance. Stopping down to F8 further improves control over vignette but doesn't have a noticeable impact on resolution anywhere in the frame.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F4, 1/640s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F4 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F4, 1/640s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F4 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F5.6, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F5.6 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F5.6, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F5.6 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 24mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 24mm - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

70mm

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 70mm, F6, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 70mm - F6. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Jumping to 70mm, performance is very good. Before getting into it, it's worth pointing out that the wide open aperture at 70mm is F6, which is getting very close to F6.3, the zoom's slowest maximum aperture. The lens is only an F4 lens for a short period, and it's an F6.3 lens from 85-200mm – much of the zoom range.

But I digress. The 24-200mm lens is a great performer at 70mm and F6. The center of the frame is very detailed, with great contrast and good control over aberrations. In the corner, performance remains impressive – much better than at 24mm. There's also less vignette at 70mm.

If you stop down to F8, performance is slightly better. It's already very good when shooting wide open, so there's not a lot of room for improvement. The slight amount of vignette is eliminated at F8.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 70mm, F6, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 70mm - F6 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 70mm, F6, 1/320s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 70mm - F6 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 70mm, F8, 1/200s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 70mm - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 70mm, F8, 1/200s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 70mm - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

135mm

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 135mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 135mm - F6.3. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

When wide open (F6.3) at 135mm, there's some slight softness evident in the center of the frame. However, contrast and aberration control remains good. The sharpness isn't bad; it's just noticeably softer than when you stop down to F8, which hasn't been the case with the previous focal lengths.

By stopping down to F8, you get really good sharpness. The detail is crisp, with excellent contrast. As for corner performance, it's very good at F6.3 and F8.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 135mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 135mm - F6.3 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 135mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 135mm - F6.3 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 135mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 135mm - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 135mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 135mm - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

200mm

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 200mm - F6.3. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At 200mm, a vignette is slightly evident when shooting wide open. There's minor purple fringing around highlights. Other than two small issues, there's nothing to complain about. Sharpness is really good, even when shooting wide open. Corner detail is also good.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the Z 24-200mm at its longest focal length. On the one hand, Nikon's Z lenses have been fantastic across the board. On the other hand, with an all-in-one full-frame zoom, I expected a bit of a performance dropoff at the extreme long end. That doesn't happen here, though, and the lens impresses.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 200mm - F6.3 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 200mm - F6.3 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 200mm - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F8, 1/160s, ISO 64. Sharpness test - 200mm - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Bokeh

Considering the lens has a maximum aperture of F4-6.3, it's no surprise that bokeh performance isn't outstanding. However, you can get a fairly soft, defocused background when you can get close to your subject.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm (300mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 125. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

On the other hand, if you're not very close to your subject and the subject isn't far from the background, the F6.3 aperture results in busy, distracting backgrounds. This isn't a bad shot, but it's hard not to imagine how much better it would look at even F4.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 185mm (277mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 280. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The somewhat slow maximum aperture also impacts light-gathering capabilities, not just bokeh. Consider the wildlife shot below. It was captured at ISO 11,400 on an APS-C Nikon Z fc camera. It's a pretty noisy image. If the lens was brighter, I could have used a slower ISO speed and gotten a sharper, smoother file.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm (300mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 11,400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Image quality summary

You can't have it all. You can't have an affordable, reasonably lightweight full-frame lens that offers an F2.8 or F4 aperture throughout a 24-200mm focal length range. It's just not possible. So, the lens is a bit slow. However, the lens also delivers good image quality across nearly its focal length range. It comes up a bit short at 24mm – although it's far from bad here – but excels at longer focal lengths. The Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR is a sharp lens. It's a fantastic option for travel and landscape photography, capable of tackling just about any situation.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 93mm, F7.1, 3s, ISO 160. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the field with the Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR lens

It's liberating to have a 24-200mm lens with you in the field. Forget changing lenses, you can do just about anything with this all-in-one zoom lens, so long as you aren't shooting in low light. If you're using an APS-C Nikon Z camera, like the Z fc I used for much of my time with the 24-200mm lens, you can even photograph wildlife.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 185mm (277mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 2200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Autofocus

When shooting wildlife, the stepping motor autofocus system delivered good performance. The lens' focus is quick and quiet, struggling only slightly in challenging situations. There were a few instances when focus accuracy was slightly off when shooting at 200mm, but they were few and far between.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 200mm, F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 720. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens can focus closely as well. Its minimum focusing distance is 50cm (1.64 ft.), which results in a max magnification of 0.28x. It's no macro lens, but it's not bad.

Vibration Reduction (VR)

Adding to the 24-200mm's versatility is built-in image stabilization. The VR promises up to 5 stops of shake correction, and I think it lives up to Nikon's claims. The lens does a great job staying stable, which is especially helpful at 200mm. I wish there were a way to enable/disable VR on the lens itself, but instead, you must use your camera's menus. That's a small complaint, and I'm happy the lens has VR.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 145mm (217mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 2000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor Hands-on Review Summary

A very good all-in-one superzoom

What I like most:

• Not overly large or heavy
• Includes weather sealing
• Excellent sharpness overall
• Good control of aberrations
• Effective built-in lens profile
• Reliable autofocus
• Good VR
• Affordable

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 27.5mm (41mm equiv.), F10, 1/4s, ISO 180. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Balance is a bit off when extended at 200mm
• Performance at 24mm is a bit lacking compared to other focal lengths
• Slow maximum aperture
• No AF/MF switch or VR switch on lens barrel

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens at 26mm (39mm equiv.), F11, 3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

With the Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR Nikkor lens, Nikon has hit it out the park. Is the lens perfect? No, of course not. But it comes remarkably close, given that it's a full-frame all-in-one zoom lens currently available for $800 (regularly $900). Considering the price and its zoom range, the lens' image quality is impressive. There are plenty of reasons to opt instead for 24-70mm and 70-200mm F2.8 zoom lenses, but for those who want a single lens that does it quite a lot and doesn't break the bank, I think they're well-served by Nikon's 24-200mm lens. In some ways, the 24-200mm is more impressive than Nikon's superb F2.8 zoom lenses because of how much performance Nikon's engineers have squeezed out of an 8.3x zoom lens that costs under $1,000. Plus, it's lightweight, which is always nice. Well done, Nikon.

• • •

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

(From Nikon lens literature)

The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR is an affordable and immensely versatile all-in-one full-frame 8.3x zoom lens offering an expansive wide-to-telephoto focal range with a portable design, making it an excellent option for Nikon Z shooters. With a lightweight 20-ounce design and drip and dust resistance, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm is prepared for adventure while maintaining the high-end optical quality of a NIKKOR Z lens. Meanwhile, the lens’ high resolution, point-light clarity and minimal distortion deliver edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the entire focal range.

Constructed of two aspherical lens elements, two ED glass lens elements and 1 aspherical ED glass element with Nikon’s ARNEO Coating, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR minimizes distortion, color bleeding and flare to consistently achieve optical excellence. The lens reaches up to 300mm when paired with a DX-format camera body, or when used in DX crop mode, providing users with endless possibilities for capturing any type of content from magnificent landscapes to beautiful portraiture and fast-paced wildlife.

An ultra-flexible tool for video creators as well, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR promises smooth subject tracking to keep sharp focus while zooming in video mode. The lens also adds 5 stops1 of built-in optical vibration reduction, yet also works in tandem with IBIS to deliver superb stabilization in the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7, offering every creator sharp and precise framing for seamless videomaking and stunning stills.

Pricing and Availability

The NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR will be available in April 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95.