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Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II First Look Review

Our Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II first look review covers one of the most important lens launches we’ve seen for the Z mount since its announcement. This is Nikon’s workhorse professional standard zoom, which sits in the middle of the ‘holy trinity’ of f/2.8 lenses, alongside the Z 14-24mm and Z 70-200mm. It’s the most critical option for countless photographers and hybrid creators, as this zoom range covers everything from weddings and events to landscapes, portraits and commercial.

The new version is hugely important because this is also Nikon’s first ever second-generation Z mount lens. Almost every aspect has been upgraded too, from autofocus speed and handling to size, weight and the optical design. It’s also the world’s first internal zoom in this class, and the lightest, which makes a big difference for handheld balance and video recording with a gimbal. 

With these updates, the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II looks set to become even more successful than the already brilliant first version, not only amongst professionals, but also for keen enthusiasts who want the best Nikon lens available.

So join us for this first look review as we discover what’s new, who it’s for and everything you need to know to decide whether this is the perfect upgrade for your kit… starting with price.

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Price

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II costs £2,599.00, placing it at the premium end of Nikon’s range. This is slightly higher than the outgoing model, which retailed at £2,099.00, but the increase reflects the sheer number of updates.

With completely reworked internals, and the world’s first internal zoom design for this type of lens, the new version delivers improvements that justify its position in the market.

Next, we take a look at just how versatile a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens really can be.

What is a 24-70mm f/2.8 for?

The fact that this is the first lens Nikon has updated for the Z mount shows not just how important it is, but how versatile and therefore popular it is. You can do so much within the ultra-wide to standard zoom range that all sorts of subjects fall within its remit.

These include:

• Portraits and lifestyle photography, where the new 11-blade rounded aperture produces smooth, natural bokeh that complements subjects such as children, pets, or family moments.
• The fast f/2.8 aperture combined with Nikon’s next-generation SSVCM autofocus motor provides excellent subject tracking, which is particularly useful for events and weddings where the action never stops.
• Landscapes and cityscapes are also well served at the 24mm end, with the updated S-Line optics using dual-sided aspherical elements and ED glass to maximise corner-to-corner sharpness. Improved coatings including Meso-amorphous and Arneo help with clarity, even when shooting against direct light at sunrise or sunset, which improves results where you’re shooting into light.
• For close-ups and details, the lens focuses down to just 0.24m at 24mm and 0.33m at 70mm, with a maximum magnification ratio of 0.32x at the telephoto end. This opens up creative opportunities for food photography, product shots, wedding bands or capturing details in nature without needing an actual macro lens.
• Of course with the world’s first internal zoom that maintains perfect balance on a gimbal, this is also going be an exceptional option for video, especially as Nikon has added a de-clickable aperture ring, which is another first for the Z mount lineup.

These confirm why the 24-70mm f/2.8 is considered such an important workhorse zoom, and why Nikon chose it as the first Z-mount lens to receive a comprehensive second-generation update.

Features for video content

Nikon mirrorless cameras are increasingly being used for both stills and video, and Nikon has made sure that this second-generation zoom appeals to hybrid creators, especially as professionals are expected to deliver more content across all formats. The Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II caters to this shift with updates that make it better suited to filmmaking workflows.

Key video features include:

1. The internal zoom and focus design, which maintains balance across the whole range, and is essential when working handheld, on a gimbal, or when using rigs and matte boxes. Unlike the first generation there’s no shift in the centre of gravity when zooming in and out.
2. Virtually zero focus breathing ensures that focus pulls are more natural, without distracting changes to the field of view.
3. Nikon’s first Z mount de-clickable aperture ring makes an appearance here, giving filmmakers smooth, silent control over exposure transitions when required.
4. Faster and quieter autofocus comes via the SSVCM system reduces scan times, improves tracking speed when zooming, and operates more quietly, completely removing on-camera motor noise.
5. Close focusing down to 0.24m at 24mm and 0.33m at 70mm enables more dynamic perspectives which are often desirable for video.

The Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is now a serious choice for video creators. These upgrades mean that a single option can cover everything from weddings and events to commercial video, reflecting how hybrid workflows have become the norm for today’s creators. But what kind of image quality can you expect?

Premium Image Quality from updated S-Line Optics

Nikon’s S-Line lenses are the most advanced in the Z mount system, combining premium optics with the most advanced coatings and rugged build quality. The lineup includes classic models such as the Z 85mm f/1.2 S and Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 S amongst several others, which are known for refined and accurate rendering.

As its predecessor, the new Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II sits within this range, with updates to the optical design over the first-generation that enhance image quality, while reducing weight.

Nikon has achieved this by utilising dual-sided aspherical elements and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, which suppress chromatic aberrations and distortions across the zoom range. These elements deliver sharpness and contrast which is consistent from the centre to the corners, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8.

Natural colour reproduction is a defining quality of the S-Line, and this lens works hand-in-hand with Nikon’s AI-powered autofocus systems to render fine detail through AF accuracy for stills and video.

Coatings also play a role in image quality, particularly when shooting against back lighting or with bright directional light. Nikon has used the Arneo Coat to counter reflections and its flagship Meso-Amorphous Coat, which is reserved for premium lenses, and controls flare and ghosting very effectively.

Additionally, a newly developed 11-blade circular aperture has been used in the optical system, which creates even more rounded bokeh and smooth defocus areas that enhance portraits and close-ups. Point light sources are well defined and free from harsh outlines, producing results that rival fast primes, while retaining the versatility of a zoom.

Next we get onto our specs comparison table, which really demonstrates how major this update is on paper.

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Vs II

The specs comparison below highlights updates between the first-generation Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Mark 1 Vs the new Mark II version. The table shows where Nikon has shaved off weight, updated the autofocus system, and more, highlighting exactly how much more advanced the new professional standard zoom is.

Just a quick glance at this comparison shows how Nikon has updated almost every aspect of this zoom lens to deliver a major upgrade for the second-gen. The most visible change is the adoption of an internal zoom mechanism, which as noted earlier makes this the world’s first professional f/2.8 standard zoom of its kind. This design prevents the lens barrel from extending, improving balance across the zoom range, which is a benefit for handheld shooting and for video, especially when recording from a gimbal.

Weight is another win, with the newer version losing 130g to become the lightest lens in its class at just 675g. That may sound insignificant, but over the course of a shoot it makes a noticeable difference, especially for event and documentary photographers who carry camera kit all day long.

Autofocus also sees a dramatic improvement thanks to Nikon’s premium Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (SSVCM). Compared to the stepping motor in the original, it is up to 5x faster, 50% quieter, and significantly more responsive when zooming. Close focus distances are shorter too, with much higher maximum magnification, which gives you more flexibility to capture very detailed and close-up shots where the subject better fills the frame.

With 11 rounded aperture blades (up from 9), improved lens coatings, and better weather sealing, the Mark II feels like a massive improvement on what was already a fantastic lens. It is smaller, lighter, sharper, faster, and better suited to hybrid creators, which is an all-round win for what is arguably Nikon’s most important Z-mount zoom.

Handling and Ergonomics

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II isn’t just lighter and more compact, it’s also better balanced, which contributes to a steadier shooting experience whether handholding, recording with a gimbal or cage, and when attaching video accessories.

There are of course a range of physical controls on the body. These include an AF/MF switch for switching between autofocus and manual focus, and a focus limiter switch with two ranges (0.24m–infinity and 0.33m–infinity). The limiter allows you to speed up AF performance in situations where the shorter focusing range isn’t required.

The de-clickable aperture ring mentioned earlier is available for smooth and silent exposure control, and there are assignable function buttons, enabling you to customise operations such as focus recall, AF lock, or exposure settings from the barrel itself.

The design is weather-sealed, with a Fluorine coated front element for easier cleaning.

These refinements ensure that the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is able to handle the rigours of professional use, both indoors and out.

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is one of the most important zooms in the Z mount. The new model is lighter, faster, sharper and better balanced than the first generation, with comprehensive upgrades that make it better for both photography and video content creation.

With its internal zoom, faster autofocus, upgraded optics and refined handling, it sets a new standard as the definitive all-round zoom for daily use across a wide range of genres.

Reserve your Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens today, and enjoy the premium upgrades that this first ever mark II provides.

You can also get a fast and free trade-in quotation if you’re upgrading and selling older camera equipment.

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By Nick Dautlich on 22/08/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.