The 10 Best Zoom Lenses For Nikon Cameras
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Prime lenses may have a slight edge in terms of sharpness, but a good zoom mounted on your favorite DSLR or mirrorless camera will give you instant options for your focal length, ensuring you get the highest quality image possible at a moment's notice. Our selection of the best models designed specifically for Nikon bodies has been ranked by versatility, image quality, and durability. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
2. Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 Contemporary DG
3. Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/2.8 S
Editor's Notes
October 09, 2019:
The biggest change to Nikon's diverse lineup of lenses since we last visited this ranking has been the arrival of their Z7 and Z6 full-frame mirrorless cameras. With those bodies has come a whole new lens mount, and new lenses to fit it, including the 24-70mm f/2.8, which is the mirrorless version of the AF-S lens that's in our number one slot. I can speak to this particular lens and its focal length from years of experience, as it's been my go-to all-day lens since I picked the old version up back in 2012. That has since been upgraded, and Nikon definitely wanted their mirrorless lineup to have a lens that was of equal quality. The only reason the DSLR-intended 24-70 wins out is that we haven't seen how the performance of the new Z-mount will hold up over time.
Throughout the list, you'll also find some third-party offerings from Sigma, a company whose manufacturing has made tremendous strides in recent years, and whose 14-24mm f/2.8 has actually replaced the Nikon version that we included previously. This has more to do with a failure on Nikon's part to update their 14-24, as it hasn't seen any kind of improvement since 2003. Just for reference, the company's flagship DSLR in 2003 was the D2H, which boasted a 4.1MP APS-C sensor and a 37-millisecond shutter lag. My, how things have changed.
4. Nikkor 180-400 f/4E
5. Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8
6. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8
7. Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E
8. Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4
9. Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3
10. Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Daniel Imperiale holds a bachelor’s degree in writing, and proudly fled his graduate program in poetry to pursue a quiet life at a remote Alaskan fishery. After returning to the contiguous states, he took up a position as an editor and photographer of the prestigious geek culture magazine “Unwinnable” before turning his attention to the field of health and wellness. In recent years, he has worked extensively in film and music production, making him something of a know-it-all when it comes to camera equipment, musical instruments, recording devices, and other audio-visual hardware. Daniel’s recent obsessions include horology (making him a pro when it comes to all things timekeeping) and Uranium mining and enrichment (which hasn’t proven useful just yet).