All the stats that matter on the new NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

Nikon Team •Deep Focus•22 aug 2025•Leestijd: 5 min

Inside the numbers and specs of Nikon’s upgraded pro-level walkaround lens

Mount: Nikon Z Mount

Nikon’s Z mount is wider than the competition, and a wide mount means more light (and more detail) hitting your camera’s sensor.

Focal length: 24-70mm

From wide angle to short telephoto, 24-70mm is the most flexible zoom range for a wide variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraits, street to action, still life to reportage, weddings, events and more.

Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22

The aperture range, constant throughout the zoom, gives the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II fantastic flexibility at all focal lengths. From low-light performance and creamy bokeh to superb subject separation, whether wide open or closed down, there’s a reason why f/2.8 zooms are in nearly every pro’s bag.

Inside the numbers and specs of Nikon’s upgraded pro-level walkaround lens

Mount: Nikon Z Mount

Nikon’s Z mount is wider than the competition, and a wide mount means more light (and more detail) hitting your camera’s sensor.

Focal length: 24-70mm

Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z6IIINext level, full-frame camera

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S IIOne lens. Thousands of stories.

A Nikon world first, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is the first lens in its class to have a fully internal zoom mechanism

Lens construction: 14 elements in ten groups (including two ED glass and three aspherical lens elements)

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II has been completely redesigned optically, reducing the number of elements and improving image quality in a lens that now weighs less.

Diaphragm blades: 11

Increasing from the previous version’s nine, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II has 11 blades for smoother, more circular bokeh.

Zoom system: internal

A Nikon world first, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is the first lens in its class to have a fully internal zoom mechanism, so the barrel doesn’t change size as you change focal length. This is particularly advantageous for video, where the balance of your rig won’t change as you zoom and the barrel won’t interfere with front-loaded accessories.

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II has a de-clickable control ring, two L-fn buttons, zoom ring, A/M focus switch and focus limiter switch

Controls: de-clickable control ring, two L-fn buttons, zoom ring, A/M focus switch, focus limiter switch

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is first Nikon lens to have a de-clickable control ring, so when you want tactile, ratcheted control for aperture, for example, it’s there, and can then be switched to smooth, stepless control for other functions.

Filter size: 77mm

The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II now shares the same filter size as the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S for easy switching between lenses, so no need to buy two sets of filters. The smaller 77mm size is also more affordable and the new hood for the lens features a closeable filter access window for ease of use.

Coatings: Meso Amorphous, ARNEO, fluorine

As a NIKKOR S lens, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II has the highest quality coatings to reduce unwanted ghosting and flares in bright light, while the fluorine coat on the front surface of the lens effectively repels dust, dirt, water droplets and grease, letting you easily wipe the lens clean.

Fluorine coat repels dust, dirt, water droplets and grease

Focusing system: Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM), multi-focusing system

This is Nikon’s first lens to include SSVCM controlling autofocus for enhanced speed and accuracy. Autofocus speeds are five times faster than the previous NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, focus tracking while zooming is improved 60% and it’s 50% quieter.

Minimum focus distance: 0.24 m (wide-angle end) / 0.33 m (telephoto end) from focal plane

You can get closer than before with the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. And although it’s not a macro lens it can create great closeups, with a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.21x at the wide-angle end and 0.32x at the telephoto end.