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Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S vs Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR: Which One Should You Choose?

The 24-120mm f/4 S is the more suitable spec-sheet fit when you want a 24mm starting view and a constant maximum f/4 through 120mm. The 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the fit when the 400mm end in one lens matters more, with a 28mm wide end and a maximum-aperture range that varies from f/4 to f/8. Nikon's listed specifications describe features, not comparative image-quality or low-light test results.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-04

Source checked 2026-10-04 23:21 UTC

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The buying question

Do you value a wider 24mm starting view and a constant maximum f/4 more, or do you need a single lens that reaches 400mm?

The 24-120mm starts wider and keeps a maximum f/4 aperture throughout its zoom range. The 28-400mm extends much farther but starts at 28mm and its maximum-aperture specification varies from f/4 to f/8.

Quick verdict

Choose Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S if

  • Your usual framing benefits from the 24mm wide end and you do not need to go beyond 120mm.
  • You want Nikon's listed constant maximum f/4 available throughout the 24-120mm zoom range.
View Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S on AmazonPaid link

Choose Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR if

  • You need focal lengths beyond 120mm, up to the listed 400mm end, without changing lenses.
  • The longer reach matters more than a 24mm start or constant f/4 maximum aperture.
View Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR on AmazonPaid link
When to skip: Your required framing falls outside both lenses' listed 24-120mm and 28-400mm ranges; compare a lens with the range you actually need.
When the recommendation changes
  • If you regularly need the wider 24mm framing, the 28-400mm begins at 28mm; compare the FX or DX angle-of-view row that matches your camera.
  • If your subjects often need framing beyond 120mm, the 28-400mm reaches 400mm, while the 24-120mm ends at 120mm.
  • If maintaining a constant maximum f/4 as you zoom matters, Nikon lists that for the 24-120mm; Nikon lists f/4-8 for the 28-400mm and does not give every aperture transition point on the cited pages.

The differences that matter

Framing Range And Wide End Fit

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

24-120mm. Nikon lists angle of view as 84°-20°20′ on FX format and 61°-13°20′ on DX format.[1, 2]

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

28-400mm. Nikon lists angle of view as 75°-6°10′ on FX format and 53°-4° on DX format.[3, 4, 5]

What this changes: On the same camera format, the 24-120mm starts with a wider listed view, while the 28-400mm reaches farther at its telephoto end. Use the FX or DX angle-of-view figures matching your camera; these ranges do not establish a real-world image-quality winner.[1, 3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Aperture Range And One Lens Workflow

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon specifies a constant maximum aperture of f/4 across the 24-120mm zoom range.[1, 2]

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

Nikon lists a maximum-aperture range of f/4-8 for the 28-400mm zoom; the cited specification pages do not list every transition point.[3, 4, 5]

What this changes: If keeping f/4 available as the maximum aperture throughout the zoom range matters, Nikon lists that for the 24-120mm. The 28-400mm combines more reach in one lens with a maximum-aperture range of f/4-8. This is a specification-based choice and does not predict exposure results or image quality in a particular scene.[1, 3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

A Nikon Z user who prioritizes a 24mm starting view and a constant maximum f/4 through the standard zoom range

Best fit: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Nikon lists a 24-120mm range, FX/DX angle-of-view values and constant maximum f/4 for this lens. This is a fit to the requested range and aperture specification, not a tested image result.

View Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S on AmazonPaid link

A Nikon Z user who needs the listed 400mm end while keeping one zoom lens mounted

Best fit: Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Nikon lists 28-400mm for this lens, compared with 24-120mm for the other option. Choose it for that range only if the 28mm start and f/4-8 maximum-aperture range fit your use.

View Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR on AmazonPaid link

A buyer whose subjects vary between wider scenes and distant subjects, without a clear priority for either lens's range

The better fit depends on your priorities

The 24-120mm starts wider; the 28-400mm reaches farther. Decide from the focal lengths and camera-format angle-of-view figures that match your subjects.

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

Compare current checkout offers when you are ready to buy. A price difference is not evaluated here; consider whether the 400mm reach or the 24-120mm's constant maximum f/4 is useful to your routine.

There is not enough price-history evidence here to say whether to buy now or wait; compare current checkout offers when ready.

Limitations

  • The recommendations compare Nikon's listed focal lengths, format-specific angle of view and maximum-aperture specifications. No hands-on or comparable image-quality, autofocus, stabilization or low-light testing was performed.
  • Nikon lists f/4-8 as the 28-400mm's maximum-aperture range but the cited pages do not give every focal-length transition point. Check the lens documentation if an exact aperture at a particular zoom position is essential.
  • Choose the FX or DX angle-of-view row that matches your camera format; the same focal-length label does not produce the same angle of view on both formats.

Questions shoppers ask

Which angle-of-view numbers should I use?

Use the FX figures for an FX-format camera or the DX figures for a DX-format camera. Nikon lists separate angle-of-view ranges for each format on both lens pages.

Does the 28-400mm keep a maximum f/4 throughout its range?

Nikon lists its maximum aperture as f/4-8. The cited product pages do not provide every focal-length transition point, so verify the exact position in the lens documentation if that matters to your setup.

Methodology and sources

Compared Nikon's exact-model focal-length ranges, FX/DX angle-of-view values and maximum-aperture specifications. Recommendations are conditional feature-fit guidance, not measured image-performance findings.

AI assistance organized and compared Nikon's published specifications; no product was physically tested.

View 5 sources
  1. 1.NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S | Z mount Lenses | Nikon ConsumerNikon Corporation · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-04 23:16 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Product heading and overview (lines 47-76); Specifications table: focal length, maximum aperture and FX/DX angle of view (lines 81-94).: Nikon's exact-model global page identifies the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, labels it full frame, lists 24-120mm and a constant maximum aperture of f/4, and provides separate FX and DX angle-of-view ranges. The source supports the lens model facts; the Nikon U.S. announcement is separately cited for U.S. context.
  2. 2.NIKKOR Z LINE EXPANDS WITH TWO NEW S-LINE TELEPHOTO ZOOMS - THE NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S AND NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SNikon Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-04 23:16 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Nikon U.S. announcement of the exact model (lines 20-27); NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S section and primary features (lines 45-55).: Nikon Inc.'s U.S. press release identifies the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S as a U.S.-announced Z lens and describes its 24-120mm range and constant f/4 maximum aperture. Historical suggested retail price and availability details are not used.
  3. 3.NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Z mount Lenses | Nikon ConsumerNikon Corporation · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-04 23:16 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Product heading and overview (lines 47-71); Specifications table: focal length, maximum aperture and FX/DX angle of view (lines 73-86).: Nikon's exact-model global page identifies the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, labels it full frame, lists 28-400mm and maximum aperture f/4-8, and gives separate FX and DX angle-of-view ranges. The source supports model specifications; Nikon's U.S. sources are also cited for market context.
  4. 4.THE ALL-IN-ONE LENS THAT GOES THE DISTANCE: NIKON RELEASES THE NIKKOR Z 28-400MM F/4-8 VR FULL-FRAME SUPER ZOOMNikon Inc. · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-04 23:16 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • U.S. announcement and FX-format context (lines 20-28); 28-400mm f/4-8 product features (lines 32-40).: Nikon Inc.'s U.S. announcement identifies the exact NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, calls it an FX-format lens, and lists its 28-400mm range and maximum aperture range. Historical suggested retail price and availability details are not used.
  5. 5.NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Lens | Telephoto Lens for Nikon MirrorlessNikon Inc. · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-04 23:16 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • U.S. product page: 28-400mm, f/4-8, FX format and Nikon Z Mount in Tech Specs (lines 92-175).: The U.S. manufacturer product page for product 20125 lists NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, 28-400mm focal range, f/4-8 maximum aperture, FX format, DX and FX angle-of-view figures, and Nikon Z Mount.

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