Truly high-end lenses don’t come cheap, so we’re always interested in a discount. Nikon’s 85mm f/1.2 S lens falls in the pro-level category, offering stunning image quality across the board. However, right now, you can take advantage of some early Black Friday deals at Amazon to save on Nikon cameras and lenses, including the lowest price we’ve ever seen on its impressive 85mm lens.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S $2,524.95 (was $2,799.95)

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The NIKKOR 85mm f/1.2 S is a truly spectacular prime lens. Many have described it as perfect and even Nikon’s best-ever lens. It’s also our favorite Nikon lens for portraiture. This telephoto prime offers superb resolution across the entire image for sharp, highly detailed images. It also produces beautifully smooth bokeh, balancing out the sharpness. It’s heavy—in part due to that bright f/1.2 aperture—but handles really well for the size. This lens rarely goes on sale, especially for $275 off. While it may not seem like much, this is an early Black Friday deal you won’t want to miss if you want a top-of-the-line prime portrait lens.

More Nikon early Black Friday deals

Nikon cameras

• Nikon Z 30 $606.95 (was $709.95)
• Nikon Z 50 $756.95 (was $859.95)
• Nikon Z 50 with Two Lenses $1,146.95 (was $1,346.95)
• Nikon Z fc $856.95 (was $956.95)
• Nikon Z 5 $1,096.95 (was $1,399.95)
• Nikon Z 6 II $1,696.95 (was $1,996.95)
• Nikon Z 7 II $2,496.95 (was $2,996.95)

Nikon prime lenses

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S $946.95 (was $1,049.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S $896.95 (was $996.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 $276.95 (was $296.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S $696.95 (was $849.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 $276.95 (was $296.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 $596.95 (was $646.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S $526.95 (was $626.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S $1,896.95 (was $2,096.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S $696.95 (was $799.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S $946.95 (was $1,046.95)

Nikon zoom lenses

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S $1,146.95 (was $1,346.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S $2,296.95 (was $2,496.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 $996.95 (was $1,199.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S $2,096.95 (was $2,396.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 $896.95 (was $1,199.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S $2,396.95 (was $3,499.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm VR S $2,496.95 (was $2,,699.95)

The post Get the Nikon 85mm f/1.2 S prime lens for its lowest price ever at Amazon appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Nikon has been busy churning out new cameras and lenses this year. Just a few weeks ago, it announced the fancy 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens and a little shy of a month ago, it released a full-frame version of its retro mirrorless camera, the Z f. The company is keeping the ball rolling with its latest announcement, the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens. Nikon explains that it built the super-telephoto prime lens for wildlife, aviation, and motorsport photographers. At $4,796.95, it falls firmly in the pro-level category, and it looks like it offers features to match. Most notable is the relatively diminutive size of just three pounds, plus plenty of on-lens controls and built-in stabilization.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S at a glance

• 11 inches long
• Weighs 3 pounds
• 5.5 stops of stabilization or 6 stops when paired with a compatible body
• Sport VR mode stabilizes the viewfinder during continuous shooting
• Includes a memory recall function to instantly recall focus position stored in advance
• Designed with video applications in mind
• Dust- and drip-resistant
• Compatible with teleconverters
• 95mm filter thread
• $4,799.95
• Available in late October

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S build & optical design

One of the biggest selling points of the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 is how small it is for a super-telephoto lens. In fact, it is the lightest lens in its class. It weighs just three pounds and is only 10.9 inches long. For comparison, though it offers a faster aperture, the 600mm f/6.3 is roughly half the size of the Nikon 600m f/4. It’s also roughly half the size of the Canon RF 600mm f/4, which weighs 6.8 pounds and measures 18.6 inches long.

Nikon achieved this small size in part by utilizing a Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element. It also features two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and a short-wave refractive element to reduce chromatic aberrations and prevent light dispersion. And the Nano Crystal Coating reduces flare to improve clarity. All this should result in truly stunning image quality across the board, making it possible to create outstanding wildlife and motorsport images.

The lightweight size of Nikon’s 600mm f/6.3 makes it much more feasible to handhold, which is ideal for shooting moving subjects requiring fast reaction time in changing conditions. Nikon also specified that it designed the lens so that the center of gravity is positioned at the body side of the lens. It should result in excellent balance when attached to your camera and make it easier to control when panning for automotive racing shots or birds in flight.

As part of Nikon’s S-line of lenses, it is dust- and drip-resistant and uses a fluorine coating on the front element for better protection when working in less-than-ideal environments. It also features a Kensington Security Slot, which allows you to use pro-grade cable locks to keep your lens safe from theft.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S handling & autofocus

Even though the Z 600mm f/6.3 is comparatively lightweight, it can still be tricky to handhold super-telephoto lenses and achieve sharp images. Luckily, Nikon built the lens with its Vibration Reduction (VR), its version of in-lens image stabilization. In Normal VR mode, you’ll be able to get 5.5 stops of stabilization. If you turn on Sport VR mode, the viewfinder is also stabilized, which makes it easier to track fast subjects. You can also pair the lens VR with in-body stabilization (IBIS) to achieve six stops of stabilization.

Nikon designed the lens with four Fn2 buttons and one Fn button, which can each be customized with a wide variety of functions. It is also equipped with a Memory Set button, which allows you to save and then instantly recall a focus position. Additionally, Nikon included a focus limiter switch and manual/auto focus switch.

For autofocus, the lens relies on the Nikon Stepping Motor, which is fast and nearly silent. Nikon designed it to keep up with speedy, erratic subjects like birds and motorsports. The minimal noise level, limited focus breathing, and precise electromagnetic diaphragm make the Z 600mm f/6.3 a fantastic lens for video applications as well.

Pricing & availability

The NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6,3 VR S is available for pre-order now for $4,796.95. It will begin shipping on October 26.

The post New gear: NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S super-telephoto prime lens appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Nikon’s lenses don’t typically warrant a special name. Up to this point, the one exception is its Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens, which is a manual focus lens offering an extremely fast f/0.95 aperture. But now, Nikon has announced there is a new kid on the block, bringing a new moniker to Nikon’s lineup. The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena promises exceptional bokeh and high-end performance across the board thanks to a unique lens design. This special lens will be more affordable than the Noct lens, though still commands a steep $2,496 price tag.

What is the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena?

The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is a telephoto prime lens built for performance. The 135mm focal length and f/1.8 aperture make it an ideal choice for portrait photographers, especially, as well as anyone who wants to isolate subjects in the distance. Nikon explained that the name “Plena” comes from the Latin term plenum, “which denotes the state of a space being completely full.” The company went on to explain that it picked this name to “reflect the lens’ ability to fulfill the user’s creative vision with superior light gathering capability, beautiful, well-rounded bokeh and outstanding sharpness and clarity throughout the frame.”

The fact that this is only the second lens Nikon has given a dedicated name shows just how special they expect it to be. It’s clear they want it to achieve legendary status, and by the information available, we think it will get there and can’t wait to check it out ourselves. On paper, and based on what we’ve seen so far, it looks to be a portrait photographer’s dream lens.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena details

It is clear that Nikon put a lot of work into this lens, with primary goals of enhanced brightness and bokeh. Nikon said that it engineered the 135mm f/1.8 S Plen with “a focus on superior peripheral illumination.” The result is edge-to-edge brightness. In addition, this piece of glass promises superb sharpness and stunning bokeh, which Nikon says will allow for “vibrant images with a mystical pop of three-dimensionality.” That’s a dramatic statement, but the image samples we’ve seen sure look promising.

Build & design

The NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is comprised of 16 elements in 14 groups, with four ED elements, one aspherical element and one SR lens element. It features Nikon’s Meso Amorphous Coat, which is the company’s most effective anti-reflection coating. In addition to that, the lens also gets the original ARNEO Coat to reduce ghosting and flaring.

Nikon designed the 135mm Plena with a “luxurious exterior design,” utilizing metal components for durability. It is full weather sealed as well, which we would expect from a Nikon S lens. The metal body and high-end glass results in some bulk, though. It weighs a 2.2 pounds and measures 3.9 by 5.5 inches. That is half the weight of the Noct lens, however, so all things considered, it isn’t too bad. The lens utilizes an 82mm filter thread and offers two lens Fn buttons which you can program to a variety of functions.

Inside the lens is a multi-focusing system which uses stepping motors (STMs) for fast, accurate and quiet autofocus. And it promises quiet operation and stable exposure for video applications, making it a versatile lens.

Bokeh & image quality

The main selling point of the 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is its stunning bokeh. This piece of glass features an eleven-blade diaphragm and larger rear element which helps create exceptionally round and smooth bokeh. Additionally, the large f/1.8 maximum aperture makes the lens a useful choice in low-light situations. Plus, Nikon promises consistent brightness all the way to the corners of the frame. That means you shouldn’t have to worry about removing vignetting in post.

The 135mm telephoto prime can focus as close as 2.69 feet. Although it isn’t a macro lens, you will be able to get some really nice detail images with this optic. As part of the S line, it will offer superb sharpness across the entire image. The transition from out of focus to in focus areas should be very smooth, resulting in an overall impressive image quality.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena pricing & availability

The NIKKOR 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is priced at $2,496.95. It is available for pre-order now, and will begin shipping on October 30.

The post Nikon announces the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena lens for immaculate bokeh appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Two years ago, Nikon released the Z fc—a mirrorless camera that paid homage to the looks of the iconic FM2 film SLR. Despite the classic body, the camera was quite impressive in a modern sense, and we loved the combination. Nikon clearly had success with that camera and is building on the line with a 24.5-megapixel full-frame version called the Z f.

Once again, despite the decidedly old-school looks, Nikon packed the camera with advanced tech, much of which it borrowed from the Z8 and Z9 cameras. Among other high-end features, the camera offers advanced autofocus abilities, the option to use eye detection to assist with manual focus, 14 fps burst shooting, 4K 30p video oversampled from 6K, and more. The camera provides some unique options as well, such as a physical switch to engage a black-and-white mode. It looks like an impressive and exciting camera, and we’re excited to test it out in the near future. For now, here’s what we know.

Nikon Z f at a glance

• 24.5-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with EXPEED 7 image-processing engine
• 4K 30p video oversampled from 6K, or 4K 60p with a crop
• Advanced autofocus with 3-D tracking and subject detection based on Deep Learning technology
• Vari-angle touchscreen display
• 5-axis vibration reduction with 8 stops of stabilization
• 14 frames per second or up to 30 fps with High-Speed Frame Capture+
• ISO range of 100-64,000
• Mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation
• Magnesium-allow body
• One UHS II SD card slot, one micro SD slot
• Available in six colors
• Available in mid-October for $1996.95

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Nikon Z f camera details

We loved the looks of the Nikon Z fc, so are very excited to see that the design remains very similar in the full-frame Z f. Nikon designed the magnesium-allow body with weather seals in multiple places for dust- and drip-resistance. It also used an electro-conductive coat to keep the surface clean from dust, along with a fluorine coat for easier cleaning. Nikon built the Z f with dual memory card slots, though interestingly, one is an SD slot (UHS II), and one is a micro SD slot.

The top of the camera features mechanical dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, much like the FM2 film SLR. Though it lacks the large display on the top of the camera that so many Nikon cameras have, it does offer a small LCD screen to show your aperture. The back of the camera sports a vari-angle touchscreen, which is a first on full-frame Z-series cameras.

The camera will be available in six color options: Indigo Blue, Sepia Brown, Bordeaux Red, Sunset Orange, Moss Green, and Stone Gray. Each will feature embossed artificial leather on the grip, wrapping around the rear of the camera.

Sensor and processor

Nikon built the camera around a 24.5-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and an EXPEED 7 image-processing engine. The combination allows for the beautiful image quality that Nikon is so well known for, along with fast burst shooting, advanced autofocus, and excellent dynamic range. Though the 24.5-megapixel count seems rather low at first glance, Nikon may have opted for the lower resolution in order to better accommodate old lenses. Using retro lenses (with help from an adapter) on this old-school-looking body just makes sense stylistically, and you can get some fantastically unique lenses to create some really fun images.

Autofocus

Nikon has lagged behind the other brands in autofocus abilities, but at least on paper, it sounds like the Z f should be highly capable. When using Auto Area AF, the autofocus system uses 299 AF points across 96 percent of the horizontal axis of the frame. This should result in better results with locking on and tracking subjects even if they are near the edge of the viewfinder.

The Nikon Z f autofocus system utilizes 3-D Tracking for photographers and subject-tracking AF in video mode. It also supports subject detection developed with Deep Learning technology, which can detect and lock onto nine subjects, including people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and planes. Nikon says that it can detect “the world’s smallest size of a face in the frame—approximately three percent of the frame’s longest side.” We’ll see how well it works in the real world, but being able to focus on subjects further away is definitely a big win.

One interesting feature of the Z f is the use of Eye/Face-Detection in manual focus mode. The camera will recognize the eye and allow you to magnify that specifically on the screen in order to dial in focus where you need it.

Video features

Any cameras coming out these days are expected to provide at least somewhat impressive video capabilities, and that is the case here. The Nikon Z f offers up to 4K 30p video that is oversampled from 6K footage. You can also opt for 4K 60p in DX mode or 1080p at 120 fps. It should provide recording times up to 125 minutes for when you need long, continuous cuts.

The Zf is the first Nikon camera to offer video recording in shutter-priority auto mode, meaning you can select the shutter speed, and the camera will adjust the rest. It offers in-camera 10-bit H.265 recording, allowing for full-scale video without an external recorder.

Photo features

Though the Z f provides good video stats, still shooting seems to be the star of the show here. It is capable of up to 14 fps plus 30 fps with High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30). It also supports Pre-Release Capture to ensure you don’t miss the shot when working with fast-moving subjects.

In case there haven’t been enough firsts for you, the Nikon Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift shooting. This mode allows you to create images up to 96 megapixels, which is ideal for landscape, architectural, and commercial artists. It works by subtly shifting the sensor position when capturing four, eight, 16, or 32 raw files in order to gather more accurate color information and high levels of detail.

In a play on the classic film camera vibes, Nikon included a physical switch to engage a black-and-white mode for monochromatic Picture Controls. You can choose from a sharp, dynamic, and high-contrast “Monochrome” mode or a new “Flat Monochrome” mode, which “reproduces tones with a smooth gradation from shadow to light, rich in mid-tones for a warm, soft impression.” There’s also a new “Deep Tone Monochrome” for high-contrast images.

Nikon Z f pricing & availability

The new Nikon Z f in the basic black colorway (though we are big fans of this classic look anyway) is available for pre-order now and will ship in mid-October for a suggested retail price of $1,996.95 for the body only. If you want one of the five other colors, it will cost you $2,099.95, and you’ll have to order directly through Nikon. The Z f is also available as a kit with the retro-looking NIIKOR Z 40mm f/2.0 SE for $2,239.95 or with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens for $2,599.95.

Nikon also said that it is working with SmallRig to develop a custom grip bracket, though it hasn’t provided any additional information as of yet.

The post Nikon announces the Z f: A retro-looking full-frame mirrorless camera appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Best for Canon mirrorless		Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM		SEE IT	This is the mirrorless version of the legendary EF 15-35mm lens.
Best for Nikon mirrorless		Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8		SEE IT	This versatile lens is compact and affordable.
Best for Sony		Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM		SEE IT	This Sony lens offers exceptional sharpness.

A wide-angle lens is more versatile than you may realize. Technically, wide-angle lenses allow you to fill the frame with more content than other lenses, but they also are tools to create dramatic effects, especially at low or close angles. From ultra-wide to mid-range, wide-angle glass expands both the creative and practical aspects of picture-taking. While standard and telephoto lenses often are the more common components of your camera kit, the best wide-angle lens (or two) will complement other focal lengths with their unique perspective.

• Best for Canon mirrorless: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Best for Canon DSLRs: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
• Best for Nikon mirrorless: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8
• Best for Nikon DSLRs: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
• Best for Sony: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
• Best for Fujifilm: FUJIFILM XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR
• Best Micro Four Thirds: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO
• Best for astrophotography: Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

How we chose the best wide-angle lens

The writers and editors at Pop Photo have experience with just about every camera and lens brand. We have hands-on experience with many of the lenses included here. We used that experience, as well as a mix of editorial and user reviews, in making our selections. Image quality was one of the most important factors, but we also looked for a balance of quality and price. Finally, we also considered build quality, autofocus abilities, and any special features a lens may have.

The best wide-angle lens: Reviews & recommendations

Finding the right wide-angle lens largely depends on the camera you shoot with and what you intend to shoot. Here are some of our favorites for every major camera manufacturer. 

Best for Canon mirrorless: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM

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Specs

• Lens mount: Canon RF, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Filter size: 82mm
• Minimum focus distance: 11.02 inches
• Weight: 1.85 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.48 x 4.99 – 5 inches

Pros

• Provides image stabilization
• Superb optical quality
• Weather-resistant design
• Customizable control ring

Cons

• Heavy and bulky
• Expensive

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 carries on much of the impressive legacy of the EF version of this lens. It offers an ultra-wide view along with a more modest wide-angle perspective making it highly versatile. It’s weather-sealed, so it can stand up to the elements if needed. A customizable control ring makes it more convenient to access settings that you need. And, as we would expect from Canon’s L-series lenses, it results in excellent all-around image quality, though with a little bit of edge softness when shooting wide open. 

The RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens features a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, ideal for low-light situations like wedding receptions and night landscapes. Adding to its low-light abilities, the lens provides five stops of image stabilization. That’s unique for an ultra-wide-angle lens, which typically doesn’t offer that. And it can focus as close as 11 inches. Combined with the f/2.8 aperture and nine rounded diaphragm blades, you’ll achieve some nice bokeh and background separation, even at the wide end. 

The primary downside to this lens is that is is rather bulky and heavy, partly because of that image stabilization. It even weighs slightly more than the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens. It also doesn’t offer quite the same level of edge-to-edge sharpness as the legendary EF 16-35mm. But it’s still plenty impressive and well worth the money.

Best for Canon DSLRs: Canon EF 16-35MM f/2.8L III

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Specs

• Lens mount: Canon EF, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 82mm
• Minimum focus distance: 11.02 inches
• Weight: 1.74 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.48 x 5.02 – 5.04 inches

Pros

• Superb image quality
• Fast maximum aperture
• Excellent colors
• Fast and accurate autofocus

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

The EF 16-35mm was so good that Canon created three iterations of it. It was designed for full-frame Canon DSLRs but is compatible with its APS-C DSLR siblings. It offers a versatile focal range suitable for weddings, events, real estate, landscapes, and astrophotography. 

What makes this lens so impressive is the edge-to-edge sharpness, even when shooting wide open. That means you can take advantage of the f/2.8 aperture for low-light shooting or achieving shallow depth of field and still get sharp, quality images. And it produces excellent, true-to-life colors for strong overall image quality.

As with all of Canon’s pro lenses, it is weather-sealed and built to stand up to abuse. Despite the slightly bulbous front element, it accepts 82mm filters. The lens utilizes a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and an internal focusing system, resulting in fast, accurate, and silent autofocus. The price is steep, but this lens has a lot to offer for that price.

Best for Nikon mirrorless: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 67mm
• Minimum focus distance: 7.5 inches
• Weight: 15.9 ounces
• Dimensions: 3 x 4 inches

Pros

• Fast and silent autofocus
• Reasonably priced
• Compact and lightweight
• Internal focus and zoom

Cons

• Not as sharp as pricier lenses
• No controls on the lens body

The NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a well-rounded and versatile wide-angle lens for Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras that is priced very reasonably for what you get. It offers a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, which you typically only see on more expensive models. The focus and zoom are internal, meaning the lens won’t change length as you zoom or adjust focus. That’s ideal for use on a gimbal, especially as it won’t require you to rebalance whenever you want to change your focal length.

There’s no image stabilization, but that’s typical on wide-angle lenses. And it weighs just under a pound, which is very lightweight for the class. That makes it easier to hold and carry for long periods or when trying to hold steady when using slower shutter speeds. The compact size and lightweight build were particularly nice on hikes. It can focus as close as 7.5 inches, resulting in really nice wide-angle detail shots. And it’s weather-sealed and plenty rugged for serious use. 

There are two minor issues with the 17-28mm. First, there are no controls on the lens body, including no manual focus switch. Instead, you’ll have to access your camera menus. It’s also not as sharp as Nikon’s more expensive lenses, especially on the edges. It’s good enough for most situations and people, but if you want pristine sharpness, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, despite offering a slightly different focal length, is your best bet.

Best for Nikon DSLRs: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon F, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: Not compatible with filters
• Minimum focus distance: 11.02 inches
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.86 x 5.18 inches

Pros

• Exceptionally sharp
• Beautiful colors
• Capable of very attractive bokeh
• Solid build quality

Cons

• Heavy
• Not compatible with filters

Nikon’s 14-24mm for Nikon F-mount cameras has long been seen as one of the very best ultra-wide-angle zoom lenses for DSLR cameras across all brands. The Nano Crystal Coat helps reduce ghosting and flare for strong contrast and color accuracy, even in harsh light or backlit conditions. It offers exceptional sharpness and beautiful colors, resulting in overall stunning image quality.

Of course, with all that quality, there has to be a downside. In this case, it comes in the form of weight and a bulbous front element. The lens weighs 2.2 pounds and is 3.86 x 5.2 inches, which is quite bulky and heavy. It’s not one you’ll want to be holding up for long. The front element also protrudes quite a bit, making it incompatible with filters. The built-in lens hood helps protect it from bumps somewhat, but you’ll still want to be aware and cautious. 

With all the weight comes an extremely solid build quality, though. It feels like a tank, able to handle just about anything. This lens best matches a full-frame Nikon DSLR to maximize its dramatic ultra-wide-angle perspective. But it also delivers equally impressive sharpness on DX DSLRs, although with a cropped field of view. 

Best for Sony: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

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Specs

• Lens mount: Sony E, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 82mm
• Minimum focus distance: 11 inches
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.8 – 5.4 inches

Pros

• Versatile focal length range
• Durable built-quality
• Exceptional sharpness
• Fast autofocus

Cons

• Pricey

Sony’s 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a pricey lens, but for those who want the best in quality and features, it’s well worth the price. As with other G Master lenses, it is built to withstand the elements and some general abuse. It also gets a focus hold button and AF/MF switch for better handling.

This lens features two Direct Drive SSM autofocus groups for fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus. It will allow you to take full advantage of Sony’s advanced autofocus in both still and video applications. The rounded, 11-blade diaphragm results in highly attractive bokeh when you want a shallow depth of field, and the floating focusing system maintains consistent performance when zooming and focusing.

Perhaps most important, though, is that this lens is extremely sharp. It is possibly the sharpest lens of this category across brands. And the Nano AR coating does an excellent job of reducing flare and ghosting, improving contrast and colors even in strong light. Overall, this lens is hard to beat if you are looking for a versatile wide-angle zoom lens.

Best for Fujifilm: FUJIFILM XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR

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Specs

• Lens mount: FUJIFILM X, APS-C
• Aperture range: f/4 – f/22
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Filter size: 72mm
• Minimum focus distance: 9.4 inches
• Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.4 inches

Pros

• Very compact
• Zoom is smooth
• Utilizes regular, low-profile filters
• Protected against dust and moisture

Cons

• Some visible distortion

Fujifilm’s wide-angle offering may not provide as fast of an aperture as the other lenses on our list, but it still has a lot to offer. As an APS-C lens, it provides a 15-36mm equivalent focal length range, which is ideal for a variety of situations. It’s a very compact lens, so it balances really nicely with the X-series cameras. You can even shoot with a pop-up flash when zoomed out all the way, thanks to how small it is.

The front element of this lens doesn’t protrude very much, which means that you can use traditional front filters. The zoom is nice and smooth, making it ideal for video applications. The stepping motor results in quick and quiet autofocus. There’s no focus breathing either, which is another plus for video. And it offers 3.5 stops of image stabilization, a unique feature for a wide-angle.

There is some visible distortion from this lens, but it’s not a wacky amount. And it’s easy to correct when editing as well. It’s a sharp lens as well, especially when stopped down to f/5.6. Images are clean and clear of aberrations, and ghosting is well handled as well. And it’s weather sealed, making it ideal for landscape photography or anything that might involve getting caught in some less-than-ideal conditions. 

Best Micro Four Thirds: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO 

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Specs

• Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: None
• Filter size: Not applicable
• Minimum focus distance: 7.87 inches
• Weight: 1.17 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.11 x 4.17 inches

Pros

• Ultra-wide zoom range
• Weather sealed
• Very sharp
• Programmable function button

Cons

• Not compatible with filters

The M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO is one of the widest angle Micro Four Thirds zooms. With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 14-28mm, it offers a wide-angle field of view at both ends of the zoom range. That makes it ideal for real estate and dramatic landscapes, but also street photography and some creative portraiture.  

This Olympus lens is relatively heavy for an MFT lens, but it still balances well on Olympus cameras. And it offers truly excellent image quality, even when shooting at the wide f/2.8 aperture. It also handles distortion very well for an ultra-wide. There is some noticeable distortion, but it’s easy to correct in post. 

The lens is splashproof, freezeproof, and dustproof. The durable construction, in combination with the compact and lightweight design, make this a great choice for those who frequent rugged destinations. There is a dedicated programmable Fn button to make frequently used settings more accessible. And the built-in petal-type lens hood cuts down on flare and adds some protection to the bulbous front element.

Best for astrophotography: Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

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Specs

• Lens mount: Sony E, Leica L
• Aperture range: f/1.4 – f/16
• Image stabilization: None
• Filter size: Rear filters only
• Minimum focus distance: 11.9 inches
• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 4 x 5.9

Pros

• Very sharp, even when shooting wide-open
• Weather sealed
• Silent and fast autofocus
• Lots of astrophotography-specific features

Cons

• Very heavy
• Only compatible with rear filters

Astrophotography is a genre that has a handful of pretty specific requirements, and this lens does a fantastic job of meeting most of those. It features a dedicated place to attach a lens heater to keep condensation and fogging at bay. A manual focus lock keeps the focus ring from moving once you dial everything in. And the optical design results in clear, accurate star shapes with essentially no fringing or aberrations.

Sigma’s 14mm f/1.4 also has a lot to offer beyond astrophotography. It can focus as close as 11.9 inches and, along with the f/1.4 aperture, is capable of really shallow depth of field for an ultra-wide-angle lens. It can even produce some nice bokeh, making it a good tool for creative detail shots. It also offers excellent sharpness across the entire image with easy-to-correct distortion, making it an ideal choice for landscape, architectural, and real estate photographers.

Sigma built this lens to be rugged, and it feels really solid. It is weather sealed, so you won’t have to worry about getting caught in the elements. Of course, because Sigma was focused on quality and features, there had to be some sacrifices. The most significant one is the weight. This is a big, heavy lens. But the tripod collar with Arca-compatible foot makes it more manageable on a tripod.

To learn more about this lens, check out our full review.

Even more wide-angle lenses to consider

Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S  

For those who loved the notorious Nikon 14-24mm lens for Nikon DSLRs, you will be just as pleased with the mirrorless version. It is possibly the best lens for Nikon mirrorless cameras across all focal lengths. And it is lighter, smaller, and provides faster autofocus than the DSLR version, making it worth the upgrade if you are moving to Nikon Z mount. 

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens

The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens is an ultra-wide, pro-quality lens for Sony cameras. It offers exceptional image quality, including superb sharpness when wide open, well-handled flare, and attractive bokeh. And it is weather sealed, ready for your adventures. It’s an expensive lens, but if you want a truly stunning ultra-wide for Sony E mount, this is a fantastic choice.

Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art

For those wanting a more affordable, third-party option for Sony E or Leica L mount cameras, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens is hard to beat. It offers excellent image quality, minimal distortion, and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. The autofocus is speedy and accurate, and the lens offers plenty of on-lens controls, making it easier to use. And it’s less than half the price of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens.

Things to consider when choosing a wide-angle lens

Like all photography equipment, selecting the best wide-angle lens depends on how you plan to use it and, importantly, what camera you’ll be shooting with. Landscape photography is often the first genre that comes to mind when thinking about a wide-angle lens. And while landscapes are one of the most common uses of this lens format, there are many more, including street photography, event coverage, environmental portraits, architecture and real estate, underwater photography, and astrophotography.

Focal length

A wide-angle lens provides a focal length of 35mm or less on a full-frame camera. Anything 24mm or less is classified as an ultra-wide-angle. Although it may not seem like much, a 14mm lens offers a dramatically different view from a 20mm or 35mm lens. Different situations call for different focal lengths, even in the realm of wide-angle lenses. So, it’s important to consider what you will be shooting or the styles of images that you are aiming for before making your purchase. 

For example, 14mm lenses are ideal for underwater photography and night sky images. Street photography and environmental portraits are often best served by 35mm lenses since they’re wide enough to include a subject’s surroundings without distorting people’s faces. You have more flexibility when you choose a wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture since the optimal field of view depends on the scope of the scene.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you are using an APS-C—also called crop sensor—or Micro Four Thirds camera, you won’t get the same view from a lens as you would on a full-frame camera. Instead, you need to multiply the focal length of a lens by the crop factor of your sensor. For Fuji, Sony, and Nikon DX, that number is 1.5, while Canon is 1.6, and Olympus and Panasonic are 2x. So, for example, if you are shooting with the Nikon Z50 and using a 35mm lens, it will provide the field of view of a 52mm lens. Your wide-angle lens then won’t actually provide a wide-angle view, so be sure to plan accordingly if you are using a crop sensor camera. 

Prime or zoom lens

You should also consider whether you want (or need) a prime or zoom lens. A prime lens only offers a single, fixed focal length, and a zoom lens covers a range of focal lengths. While a zoom lens provides a broader range adding to its versatility, a prime lens may be smaller and lighter. Also, prime lenses sometimes offer a faster maximum aperture, which translates to a shallow depth-of-field for times when you want an out of focus background. 

Maximum aperture

Wide-angle lenses aren’t going to provide the same dramatically shallow depth of field as normal or telephoto lenses. But, with the help of a wide maximum aperture (among other factors), you can achieve quite a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh with a wide-angle lens. Plus, a wide maximum aperture also makes it easier to shoot in low-light situations like wedding receptions or astrophotography. If you want a shallow depth of field and more flexibility with shooting in low light, focus on a lens that offers a fast maximum aperture like f/2.8. 

Additional features to consider

Once you decide on the main factors listed above, there are a handful of smaller details to think about in case they are essential to your shooting style.

Weather sealing: Not all lenses are built for use in rugged environments. If you plan on taking your wide-angle lens on serious adventures, be sure to look for an option that offers extensive weather sealing

Size and weight: Wide-angle lenses tend to be fairly bulky pieces of equipment, especially when you get into the ultra-wide category. But there have been some nice compact options made if you want to have a lighter kit. 

FAQs

A final word about the best wide-angle lens

• Best for Canon mirrorless: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
• Best for Canon DSLRs: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
• Best for Nikon mirrorless: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8
• Best for Nikon DSLRs: Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
• Best for Sony: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
• Best for Fujifilm: FUJIFILM XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR
• Best Micro Four Thirds: Olympus M.Zuiko ED 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO 
• Best third-party: Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
• Best for astrophotography: Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art

Regardless of your camera’s format—full-frame, APS-C, or MFT—there are a variety of wide-angle lenses from which to choose at various price points. Adding a wide-angle lens (or two) to your camera gear arsenal can motivate you to add versatility to your image-making. And the best wide-angle lens may give you a whole new perspective on the world.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best wide-angle lens in 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Right now, you can pick up new Nikon gear for up to $500 off at Adorama. Many of the deals are for bundles, including things like lens cleaning kits, filters, and camera bags. Whether you are picking up a camera for school, wanting to make the switch over to mirrorless, or looking for a new DSLR, there are some excellent discounts to take advantage of. This sale runs through the third of September, so you only have a little bit of time to decide what you want.

Nikon Z 7 II with NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens – Bundle with FTZ II Mount Adapter $3,346.90 (was $3,846.90)

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The Nikon Z7 II is one of our favorite Nikon cameras. It’s a versatile, pro-level camera capable of handling whatever you throw at it. It features a 45.7-megapixel sensor with dual processors to keep noise down and produce highly detailed images. It also offers advanced autofocus tracking to keep your subject in focus and 4K 60p video. This deal comes with a useful 24-70mm zoom lens and the FTZ II mount adapter, which can save you money on lenses if you already have a kit of Nikon DSLR lenses.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens with Accessories Kit $896.95 (was $1,196.95)

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If you already have a camera but could use a lens, this 28-75mm f/2.8 is a great choice. It offers a versatile focal length range suitable for a wide variety of situations. And the fast and constant f/.2.8 aperture is ideal for shooting in low-light situations, along with creating shallow depth of field to make your subject stand out. This bundle comes with a UV filter to protect the front of your lens without changing anything in your images, along with a microfiber cleaning cloth to keep the glass clean and free of smudges.

Even more ways to save on Nikon gear

APS-C Nikon mirrorless cameras & camera bundles

• Nikon Z 30 DX-Format Mirrorless Camera w/NIKKOR 16-50mm VR Lens and Acc. Kit $843.90 (was $993.90)
• Nikon Z 30 DX-Format Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 & 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 Lenses $996.95 (was $1,196.95)
• Nikon Z 30 DX-Format Camera with 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 & 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 Lenses $996.95 (was $1,196.95)
• Nikon Z fc Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens, Silver with FTZ II Adapter $1,246.90 (was $1,346.90)
• Nikon Z50 DX-Format Camera w/16-50mm & 50-250mm Lens, FTZ Adapter, Wrist Strap $1,349.90 (was $1,599.90)

Nikon Z5 camera & camera bundles

• Nikon Z5 Mirrorless Camera Body, Bundle with 64GB SD Card, Bag, Battery & Accessories Bundle $1,309.95 (was $1,409.95)
• Nikon Z5 Mirrorless Camera with 24-50mm Lens with FTZ II Mount Adapter & Acc. $1,746.90 (was $1,946.90)
• Nikon Z5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Body with NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens $1,893.90 (was $2,393.90)

Nikon Z6 II camera & camera bundles

• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera $1,696.95 (was $1,996.95)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with FTZ II Mount Adapter Kit $1,846.90 (was $2,246.90)
• Nikon Z 6II Camera Body with Accessories Kit $1,696.95 (was $1,996.95)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera – with Nikon MB-N11 Multi Battery Power Pack with Vertical Grip $2,093.90 (was $2,393.90)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with FTZ II Adapter, Accessories Kit $1,949.90 (Was $2,349.90)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera with Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens $2,323.90 (was $2,623.90)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera with NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens Bundle with Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter $2,446.90 (was $2,846.90)
• Nikon Z 6II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens, FTZ Adapter $4,543,95 (was $4,943.85)

Nikon Z7 II camera & camera bundles

• Nikon Z 7II Mirrorless Digital Camera $2,596.95 (was $2,996.95)
• Nikon Z 7II Mirrorless Digital Camera Bundle with FTZ II Mount Adapter $2,746.90 (was $3,246.90)
• Nikon Z 7II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 24-120mm f/4 Lens w/Accessories Kit $3,493.90 (was $4,093.90)
• Nikon Z 7II Mirrorless Digital Camera with NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Lens $4,993.90 (was $5,393.90)

Nikon DSLR cameras & camera bundles

• Nikon D850 DSLR Camera Body $2,796.95 (was $2,996.95)
• Nikon D850 DSLR Camera Body With FotoPro X-Go Max Tripod, 64GB Card, Screen Prot $2,926.95 (was $2,126.95)

Nikon lenses & lens bundles

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens $696.95 (was $846.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Lens $596.95 (was $646.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lens with Accessories Kit $1,896.95 (was $2,096.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Lens $946.95 (was $1,046.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens $1,146.95 (was $1,346.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Lens $2,1096.95 (was $2,396.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens $2,396.95 (was $2,696.95)
• Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Lens for Nikon Z w/Essentials Accessories Kit $2,426.95 (was $2,736.95)

The post Save up to $500 on Nikon cameras and lenses at Adorama appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Best overall		Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S		SEE IT	This versatile standard zoom offers superb image quality.
Best wide-angle		Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8		SEE IT	This wide-angle zoom offers an ideal balance of price, size, and quality.
Best for portraits		Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S		SEE IT	For dreamy portraits, you can’t beat this Nikon prime lens.

Building a Nikon lens collection is a critical part of your photography journey. In some ways, adding the right lens to your kit is even more important than your choice of camera, especially if you concentrate on a particular genre of photography, such as portraits, wildlife, or street photography. The type of lens you select can make a significant difference between so-so photos and consistently excellent images. Whether you’re shooting with a full-frame DSLR, an APS-C DSLR, or a Nikon Z-series mirrorless camera, we’ll help you sort through the best Nikon lenses available.

Best Nikon mirrorless lenses

• Best overall: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
• Best wide-angle: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8
• Best for portraits: Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
• Best telephoto: Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
• Best budget: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens

Best Nikon DSLR lenses

• Best F-mount lens overall: AF-S FX Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4
• Best F-mount telephoto zoom: AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
• Best budget F-mount lens: Nikon FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D

How we chose the best Nikon lenses

The writers and editors at Pop Photo have decades of experience with just about every major camera and lens manufacturer, including Nikon. We have hands-on experience with most of the lenses on this list. We also factored in user and editorial reviews. Given the wide variety of Nikon lenses, we aimed to choose options for most situations and price points. Overall image quality, handling, autofocus, build quality, and lens features were all important factors when making our selections. 

The best Nikon lenses: Reviews & recommendations

Nikon makes a wide array of lenses for its DSLR and mirrorless lineup. Lenses span the full spectrum of lens types and budgets, so you’re sure to find a quality Nikon lens that fits your needs. 

Best overall: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 82mm
• Minimum focus distance: 1.25 feet
• Weight: 1.77 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.96 – 6.15 inches

Pros

• Versatile zoom range
• Excellent image quality
• Lightweight and compact
• Useful OLED display

Cons

• Focus is a little slow compared to the competition

A quality 24-70mm lens is something that most photographers should have in their kits. It offers an extremely versatile focal length range that’s ideal for a vast range of situations, meaning you can switch lenses less often. And this Nikon lens is one of the best available across all brands. It offers exceptional sharpness across the zoom and aperture range, with minimal aberrations or fringing, resulting in superb image quality. 

This standard zoom lens features a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, making it ideal in low-light situations like wedding receptions or indoor family shoots. Its autofocus is slightly slower than other lenses in this class, partly because it uses two stepper motor AF actuators instead of linear focus motors. But it is accurate and quiet, and there is very limited focus breathing, making it a good option for videographers.

The lens isn’t cheap, but it is roughly the same as the mirrorless f/2.8 options from Canon and Sony. And it offers a lot in terms of quality and features. For example, the OLED display on the top is handy for checking focal length, aperture, or focus distance. Nikon built it with robust weather sealing to protect it against the elements. And it’s also the lightest 24-70mm available at the moment. If you want to save some money, Nikon also makes an excellent 24-70mm f/4 that, at $1,000, is less than half the price, albeit with a slight drop in image quality and a slower maximum aperture.

Best wide-angle: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 67mm
• Minimum focus distance: 7.5 inches
• Weight: 15.9 ounces
• Dimensions: 3 x 4 inches

Pros

• Very compact and lightweight for the class
• Internal focus and zoom
• Can focus very close
• Good balance of quality and price

Cons

• Minimal controls on the lens body
• Control ring is hypersensitive

While this lens isn’t at the top end of Nikon’s wide-angle lineup, it is very well-balanced in regard to price and quality, which is why it earned our top wide-angle spot. It is very reasonably priced but still has a lot to offer. Weighing just under a pound and measuring four inches long, it’s extremely compact and lightweight for the class. It is one of our favorite lenses to hike with, as a result. 

This wide-angle zoom lens features fully internal zoom and focus, meaning the lens doesn’t change length at all. That makes it ideal for video use, especially when using a gimbal, as you won’t need to rebalance when changing focal length. It can also focus as close as 7.5 inches, making it possible to get some unique wide-angle closeup shots. 

Though this lens won’t offer the same sharpness as Nikon’s higher-end S lineup, it is plenty sharp for most people and situations. The f/2.8 aperture and rounded nine-blade diaphragm results in pleasing bokeh, especially when you get close to your subjects. And despite the ultra-wide perspective, you can use a reasonable 67mm filter on it. For the price, this lens is quite impressive. 

Best for portraits: Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/1.2 – f/16
• Image stabilization: 
• Filter size: 82mm 
• Minimum focus distance: 33.46 inches
• Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 4 x 5.6 inches

Pros

• Superb image quality
• Fast f/1.2 aperture
• Fast and accurate autofocus
• Rugged build quality

Cons

• A bit pricey
• Bulky and heavy

An 85mm prime is the quintessential portrait lens, and this Nikon version is a premier example of one. It offers truly excellent image quality, with excellent sharpness across the image and at all apertures. But its bokeh is where it really shines. Thanks in part to the rounded 11-blade diaphragm, the bokeh is wonderfully smooth, with beautiful transition from focused and defocused areas. It contrasts the sharpness of the lens perfectly.

As a member of Nikon’s S line of lenses, this 85mm features rugged build quality with weather sealing. It offers a programmable control ring and L-Fn function button, and there is an auto/manual focus switch as well. The autofocus is speedy and reliably accurate, so it can keep up with even rapidly moving subjects like little kids. 

Of course, the fast f/1.2 aperture results in a steep price tag and a lot of bulk. If you want to save $2,000 and a pound and a half of weight, the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S is your best alternative. 

Best telephoto: Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/2.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Filter size: 77mm
• Minimum focus distance: 1.64 feet
• Weight: 2.99 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 8.66 inches

Pros

• Stunningly good image quality
• Extremely fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
• Built-in stabilization
• Excellent handling

Cons

• Pro-level price tag

Besides a 24-70mm, a 70-200mm is one of the most versatile zoom lenses you can buy. They can cover most situations at weddings, work extremely well for motorsports and other sporting events, and are great wildlife lenses. And Nikon’s mirrorless version of this popular lens is possibly the best to have ever existed. 

The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm offers truly stunning image quality. It’s extremely sharp across the zoom and aperture range. The colors and contrast are pleasing and true to life. And the bokeh is very attractive, resulting in beautiful portraits. The autofocus is very fast, accurate, and quiet, so you’ll be able to trust it even if you’re shooting a wedding ceremony in a poorly lit church.

As we would hope for a 70-200mm, it provides image stabilization to improve low-light performance. It’s built to Nikon’s S-line standards, meaning it’s dust and moisture-resistant and gets a fluorine coating on the front element. And the OLED lens information panel displays aperture setting, focus distance, and depth of field figures right on top of the lens for quick reference. Of course, it comes with a price tag to reflect all these pro features, but it is a spectacular lens for those who want the absolute best. 

Best budget: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon Z, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/1.8 – f/16
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 62mm
• Minimum focus distance: 1.31 feet
• Weight: 14.64 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.99 x 3.41 inches

Pros

• Excellent overall image quality
• Very fast autofocus
• Reasonably priced
• Relatively compact and lightweight

Cons

• No fluorine coating on the front element

If you are just starting out in photography and looking for a single, relatively affordable but quality lens, you’d be hard-pressed to beat Nikon’s 50mm f/1.8 S. It isn’t the cheapest Nikon lens you can buy, but the quality you get makes this one we would recommend over less expensive options. It offers a ton of value for the relatively low price, which you simply won’t find elsewhere.

It’s as sharp as much more expensive lenses, even when shooting wide open. The bokeh is pleasing, and it results in minimal distortion, vignetting, and aberrations. The autofocus is also as fast as its more expensive peers, so you can trust it’ll keep up with fast-moving subjects. The f/1.8 aperture is fast enough for most, though if you want extra low-light performance and razor-thin focus areas, Nikon’s 50mm f/1.2 S is another option, albeit for more than twice the price.  

In terms of build quality, you also get a lot for your money here. It’s weather sealed and offers a programmable control ring which you can use for a variety of camera and exposure settings. Nikon did leave out a fluorine coating on the front element, so you will want to take extra care in cleaning your lens before shoots. Finally, it’s relatively compact and lightweight, making it comfortable to keep on your camera even for long days of shooting. 

If you don’t mind a slightly wider perspective and want to save $350, the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is a fantastic choice.

Best F-mount lens overall: AF-S FX Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon F, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/1.4 – f/16
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 77 mm
• Minimum focus distance: 2.79 feet
• Weight: 1.31 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.39 x 3.31 inches

Pros

• Very sharp optics
• Attractive bokeh
• Relatively lightweight for the class 
• Highly accurate autofocus

Cons

• Strong vignetting when wide open

The AF-S FX Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4 lens is one of the best Nikon DSLR lenses for portraits. It produces sharp-as-a-tack images. And thanks to its f/1.4 aperture, it creates beautiful bokeh that softens the background to emphasize your main subject.

The autofocus of this 85mm isn’t as fast as other lenses, but for most portrait situations, it’ll keep up just fine. And it makes up for the lack of speed in its accuracy. Plus, the lens is relatively compact and lightweight for an 85mm, so you won’t mind carrying it with you for a full day of shooting. 

For budget-minded Nikon shooters, take a look at the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G.

Best F-mount telephoto zoom: AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon F, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/5.6 – f/32
• Image stabilization: 
• Filter size: 95mm 
• Minimum focus distance: 7.22 feet
• Weight: 5.07 pounds
• Dimensions: 4.25 x 10.53 – 13.5 inches

Pros

• Versatile range for sports and wildlife
• Excellent image quality across zoom range
• Reasonably priced
• Vibration reduction of up to 4.5 stops

Cons

• Not fully weather-sealed

Distant subjects are no longer out of reach with the AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens. It provides an awesome zoom range, making it an ideal choice for sports and wildlife photographers. The image quality from this super-telephoto zoom lens is superb, resulting in highly detailed shots. It also offers 4.5 stops of vibration reduction to help obtain sharp images even when hand-holding the lens. 

Another benefit to this lens is that it is compatible with Nikon’s teleconverters. That means that you can get up to twice the focal range for even more reach. And don’t forget, an APS-C camera adds 1.5x (or about 750mm) to the lens’ reach as well. Unfortunately, it isn’t fully weather-sealed, but it does offer a rotating tripod collar for better balance when using a tripod or monopod in either landscape or portrait orientation.

Best budget DSLR lens: Nikon FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D

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Specs

• Lens mount: Nikon F, full-frame
• Aperture range: f/1.8 – f/22
• Image stabilization: No
• Filter size: 52mm
• Minimum focus distance: 1.48 feet
• Weight: 5.47 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.54 inches

Pros

• Tiny and lightweight
• Very affordable
• Excellent image quality

Cons

• Needs to be stopped down for the best performance

Despite its low price and compact 2.5 by 1.5-inch size, this little Nikon lens is the perfect go-to lens for a variety of scenarios. It weighs a mere 5.5 ounces, so it’s a lightweight companion, making it ideal for travel or hiking adventures. The lens provides excellent sharpness so, but it does perform best when stopped down a few stops. At f/2.8 or so, the lens performs beautifully.

One caveat, though, is that this nifty fifty only works in manual focus with older cameras without an AF motor built-in, like the Nikon D40. If you use a body with the body-mounted screw to drive autofocus, it will focus quickly and accurately. These older 50mm lenses are getting a bit hard to find these days, so if you are thinking of picking one up, you may not want to wait much longer.

Even more Nikon lenses to consider

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Nikon’s 14-24mm f/2.8G lens for its F-mount cameras was the premier example of an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens across any brand, and this Z-mount version is even better. It is a pound lighter than the DSLR lens and features a handy OLED display. And it offers truly exceptional overall image quality with edge-to-edge sharpness. The fast f/2.8 aperture makes it an ideal choice for astrophotography, and the ultra-wide perspective with well-handled distortion is fantastic for real estate work.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

For professional wildlife and sports photographers, you can’t beat Nikon’s 600mm lens. It offers a bright f/4 aperture, stunning image quality, fast autofocus, and five stops of vibration reduction. But perhaps the most unique feature is the built-in 1.4x teleconverter. With a simple flip of a switch, you’ll get 840mm reach. And since the teleconverter is integrated into the lens, it maintains the weather sealing as well as image quality. Nikon also makes a 400mm version with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, resulting in a reach of 560mm, should you want something a little less dramatic. 

What to consider when buying the best Nikon lenses

Nikon has an extremely expansive list of lenses, especially when you are looking at both F-mount and Z-mount options. Choosing a lens can be challenging as a result, but careful consideration of the items below will help you find the best Nikon lens for your needs. 

Focal length

The first step to making any lens decision is narrowing down what focal length you need or want. To put it simply, focal length determines how much you see (angle of view) and how large things appear (magnification). A telephoto lens, which has a narrow angle of view and high magnification, won’t work for real estate photography. On the other hand, a wide-angle lens, with its wide view and low magnification, isn’t ideal for most portrait and wildlife situations. As a result, it’s important to consider the types of images you want to create before choosing a focal length.

The other piece of the focal length puzzle is if you use an APS-C or full-frame camera. Focal lengths are listed in reference to their use on full-frame cameras. However, lenses used on APS-C cameras will result in a narrower angle of view due to the camera’s crop factor. Because of this, you will need to take that into account when buying a lens for your APS-C camera. For example, if you want a wide-angle lens, you will need to go extra wide in order to actually have that wide angle of view on a crop sensor camera. 

Prime versus zoom

Once you know the focal length you want, you can decide if a prime or zoom lens is better for your needs. A prime lens offers a single focal length, while a zoom lens offers a range of focal lengths. Which is best mostly comes down to personal preference and your shooting style, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both. 

Prime lenses are typically higher in quality and can offer faster maximum apertures. They can also be more affordable. But they aren’t as versatile since you’ll need to be able to physically move or switch lenses to change the perspective. Zoom lenses are more convenient since you can simply zoom in or out to change the view. But the quality is typically slightly lower than prime lenses, and they can get very expensive.

Aperture

The maximum aperture of a lens is provided right in the name of the lens and is important for a few reasons. First, a wider aperture will let in more light, making it better in low-light conditions. Wedding photographers, astrophotographers, or anyone shooting indoors or in dark situations will want to prioritize a wide (also called fast) maximum aperture. Second, aperture is one factor in determining depth of field. If you want a shallow depth of field for greater separation of your subject and background, be sure to choose a lens with a wide maximum aperture.

Some zoom lenses will feature a variable maximum aperture, such as f/4.5-5.6. This means that as you zoom in, you will get a smaller aperture and lose light. That can get frustrating when shooting in low light conditions or trying to achieve a shallow depth of field. You’ll have to pay more for a lens with a constant maximum aperture, but it may be worth it for you. 

Size

Lens size can be an especially important factor if you plan to travel or hike with the lens or if you have long shooting days, such as weddings. Lugging around a bulky piece of glass is not very fun if you aren’t prepared for it. Nikon makes some excellent compact and lightweight options of popular focal lengths or zoom ranges, so be sure to check the size closely if that is something that is important to you.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Nikon lenses

Best Nikon mirrorless lenses

• Best overall: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
• Best wide-angle: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8
• Best for portraits: Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
• Best telephoto: Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
• Best budget: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens

Best Nikon DSLR lenses

• Best F-mount lens overall: AF-S FX Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4
• Best F-mount telephoto zoom: AF-S FX NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
• Best budget F-mount lens: Nikon FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D

Nikon makes lenses for just about every situation, from portraits to wildlife to real estate. It also makes lenses at a range of price points. Though the best lens comes down to what you want to shoot and your budget, chances are good that you will be able to find a Nikon lens that is suitable for your needs. 

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best Nikon lenses of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Fujifilm X-T30 II		SEE IT	The X-T30 II provides attractive, retro styling, excellent image quality, and convenient controls.
Best full-frame		Canon EOS RP		SEE IT	It’s the most affordable full-frame camera you can buy.
Best action camera		GoPro Hero 11 Black		SEE IT	The GoPro Hero 11 results in stunning videos with award-winning image stabilization.

While flagship cameras that cost as much as a used car are fun to dream about, there are plenty of cameras under $1000 that can help you create great photographs or videos. Maybe you’re ready to upgrade from your entry-level DSLR. Or perhaps you’ve finally mastered manual mode and want a camera with a few more features. It’s time to level up, but searching for the best upgrade can feel daunting as you figure out what features you need as you attempt to balance quality, specs, and price. Mirrorless or DSLR? Compact or full-frame? Is it possible to find a full-frame camera without breaking the budget? This list of the best cameras under $1,000 offers up both mirrorless and DSLR options, with some models even including a lens for that price. 

• Best overall: Fujifilm X-T30 II
• Best mirrorless: Sony a6400
• Best full-frame: Canon EOS RP
• Best for YouTube videos: Sony ZV-E10
• Best Canon: Canon EOS R10
• Best Nikon: Nikon Zfc
• Best action camera: GoPro Hero 11 Black
• Best DSLR: Nikon D7500

How we chose the best cameras under $1,000

To compile this list, we extensively researched cameras from all major brands, evaluating them on the same criteria: image quality, autofocusing capabilities, ergonomics, video features, speed, lens selection, and value for the dollar. We also leaned on hands-on experience. The writers and editors at Pop Photo have decades of experience and have used every camera on this list in some capacity.

The best cameras under $1,000: Reviews & recommendations

While we’ve outlined some specific categories for each of these cameras, it’s worth noting that there’s absolutely some overlap here. Peruse all the options to see which one fits your specific needs before jumping into a purchase. 

Best overall: Fujifilm X-T30 II

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Specs

• Resolution: 16.1 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Fujifilm X
• Image stabilization: None
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
• Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.3 x 1.8 inches

Pros

• Excellent image quality and color
• 20 fps burst shooting
• Good quality 4K video
• Lots of controls and dials

Cons 

• Screen only tilts
• 10-minute record limit on 4K capture
• Face detect not always reliable

At 26.1 megapixels, this camera is the highest-resolution option that comes with a lens for under $1,000. The retro, DSLR-style design is a fun touch that offers plenty of tactile controls in the form of customizable buttons. It produces great jpegs and offers attractive, built-in film simulation modes for flair.

Fujifilm’s X-series lenses work seamlessly with the rest of its X-series cameras, so upgrading your camera down the line will still give you native access to all your glass. It shoots solid video and offers weather sealing and ruggedness that are both better than you might expect for a model at this price. 

If you want to save a little money, however, do note that there are no life-changing upgrades from the first generation X-T30, so that camera remains a solid option, too.

Best mirrorless: Sony a6400

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Specs

• Resolution: 24.2 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Image stabilization: None
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
• Weight:  14.22 ounces 
• Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.6 x 2.4 inches

Pros

• Best-in-class AF performance, including eye detection
• Flip up screen is ideal for vlogging
• Good 4K video quality (no crop, 30 min recording)
• 11 fps burst shooting 
• Compact, lightweight design 

Cons

• Lacks control points
• Setting up autofocus can be confusing (lots of options) 

The a6400 has the best autofocus, hands-down, at this price point and produces great photos and videos. Even though it has an APS-C sensor inside, it offers advanced real-time AF tracking modes with eye detection that can help lock onto subjects and keep them sharp as they move around the scene. It’s even responsive enough to work with fast-moving subjects. Image quality is excellent, with good noise handling at higher ISOs and up to 11 frames per second burst shooting.

The a6400 shoots 4K video at up to 30 fps without a crop, giving you more flexibility. It’s capable of 5x slow motion and 60x quick motion in Full HD quality and doesn’t require any special processing to view. If you want to upload straight to social media with no fuss, the camera can shoot in a 1:1 aspect ratio. And it has a built-in, high-resolution, eye-level viewfinder despite its compact size.

Sony has really expanded its line of E-mount lenses in recent years. And if you want to save money on lenses, third-party manufacturers like Tamron, Rokinon, and Sigma have turned out some excellent APS-C glass for Sony cameras in recent years. That makes it feasible to get an A6400 body and lens for under $1,000.

Best full-frame: Canon EOS RP

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Specs

• Resolution: 26.2 megapixels
• Sensor size: Full-frame
• Lens mount: Canon RF
• Image stabilization: Digital and 5-axis (video only)
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
• Weight: 1.07 pounds
• Dimensions: 5.2 x 3.3 x 2.8 inches

Pros

• Great out-of-camera JPEGs
• Good autofocus performance 
• Lightest Canon full-frame
• Well-built, comfortable ergonomics
• Affordable as far as full-frame goes 

Cons

• Battery life is short 
• Poor 4K video quality
• Somewhat noisy raw files

The Canon EOS RP is the most affordable full-frame mirrorless camera you can buy. It offers comfortable ergonomics, an electronic viewfinder, accurate autofocus, and pleasing JPEGs. While its 4 fps burst rate isn’t anything to write home about, it’s a great camera for portraits, landscapes, and everyday shooting. 

This was part of Canon’s first wave of full-frame mirrorless cameras, so the RP can’t quite compete with higher-end, newer models like the R6. But it does offer similar ergonomics and image quality. Since it has a full-frame sensor, it can also take full advantage of Canon’s increasingly impressive line of RF mount lenses, which is has grown nicely in recent years.

If you’re planning to shoot a lot of videos, the RP may not be your best. It can shoot 4K, but only with a very heavy crop and underperforming autofocus. But for still photographers wanting an affordable full-frame, the RP is a great choice.

Best for YouTube videos: Sony ZV-E10

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Specs

• Resolution: 24.2 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Image stabilization: Digital (video only)
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
• Weight: 12.1 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.5 x 1.8 inches

Pros

• Excellent 4K video quality
• Good battery life
• Quality built-in mic
• Class-leading autofocus with face and eye detection
• Superb still image quality

Cons

• Digital stabilization results in significant crop
• No shooting mode dial may be annoying for some

If your primary focus is YouTube videos and vlogging, the ZV-E10 is a fantastic choice. Sony built this camera specifically for vlogging, and the result is a full suite of video-focused features. That starts with uncropped 4K video up to 30p with 6K oversampling for highly detailed videos. It’s also capable of Full HD up to 120 fps. And there are no recording limits—beyond battery life and memory card space—so you can record long single takes.

The ZV-E10 also offers a Product Showcase setting which automatically transitions focus between your face and an object for showing off products. And as with all of Sony’s cameras, it gets class-leading autofocus with real-time eye AF and AI algorithms to recognize and track moving subjects. And the Face-Priority AE keeps the camera’s exposure correct for the subject even when moving between different lighting conditions.

Unfortunately, the ZV-E10 only offers digital image stabilization, which isn’t highly effective and results in a 1.44x crop. If you want smooth video while moving, we highly suggest a gimbal.

Best Canon: Canon EOS R10

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Specs

• Resolution: 24.2 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Canon RF
• Image stabilization: Digital (video only)
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
• Weight: 15.1 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.8 x 3.5 x 3.3 inches

Pros

• Comfortable grip and ergonomics
• Vari-angle touchscreen is ideal for vlogging
• Autofocus outperforms the price
• Excellent jpeg quality even at high ISOs
• Up to 23 fps burst shooting

Cons

• Battery life isn’t outstanding
• Digital stabilization only

Canon’s EOS R10 is a relatively new camera and offers a lot of bang for your buck. This APS-C mirrorless camera features a 24.2-megapixel sensor with Canon’s typical attractive colors and quality jpeg files. It even performs well at higher ISOs, which is nice to see. And it supports up to 23 frames per second when using the electronic shutter, which is fast enough for documenting action.

Despite the sub $1,000 price, the R10 offers advanced autofocus abilities found in much more expensive cameras. It’s easy to use, handling most of the work for you, and does a good job of locking onto even moving subjects. It’s a really compact camera, ideal for travel and daily use. And yet it still gets a nice grip, making it more comfortable to hold.

For video use, the R10 is capable of 4K 30p video that’s oversampled from 6K footage for highly detailed results. Unfortunately, though, it only provides digital stabilization, which is a bummer, but not unexpected for the price of the camera.

Best Nikon: Nikon Zfc

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Specs

• Resolution: 20.9 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Nikon Z
• Image stabilization: None
• Memory card slots: Single slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
• Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.3 x 3.7 x 1.8 inches

Pros

• Attractive retro styling
• Superb image quality with large dynamic range
• Quality 4K video
• Good autofocus performance
• Lightweight and compact

Cons

• No in-body stabilization
• Limited lens selection

We love the Nikon Zfc for lots of reasons, but the film camera-like styling is one of them. It looks like a classic SLR camera, and Nikon even made a special edition lens to match (though this will push the totally slightly over $1,000). Beyond the good looks, the camera features a 20.9-megapixel sensor that results in detailed raw files, good noise handling, and attractive jpegs.

The Zfc isn’t just for still shooting, either. It’s capable of 4K 30 p video with plenty of different capture tools. It doesn’t provide any stabilization or a headphone jack, which is a bummer. And while the autofocus isn’t quite at the same level as Canon and Sony, it is plenty quick and responsive. It’s capable of tracking subjects and easily detects faces and eyes.

This mirrorless camera is dust and weather resistant and offers BLE and Wi-Fi connectivity for easily transferring photos. And you can use it for live streaming or web conferencing with a USB Type-C cable as well, making it a versatile tool.

Best action camera: GoPro Hero 11 Black

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Specs

• Resolution: 27 megapixels
• Sensor size: Not provided
• Lens mount: N/A
• Image stabilization: HyperSmooth 5.0 digital stabilization
• Memory card slots: Single slot: microSD/microSDHC (UHS-I)
• Weight: 44.5 ounces
• Dimensions: 2.8 x 2 x 1.3 inches

Pros

• Award-winning stabilization
• Highly detailed 5.3K 60p video
• Epic slow-motion footage at 2.7K 240p
• Improved still image quality
• Lots of mounting possibilities

Cons

• Low light performance isn’t great

If you want a camera for documenting action or travel, it’s hard to beat a GoPro. The Hero 11 Black is the latest version and features the largest sensor in a GoPro yet. That larger sensor makes it possible to crop vertical videos without losing out on most of the scenes, making it easier to share on social media.

The Hero 11 also gets GoPro’s latest image stabilization for impressively smooth footage, even when recording activities like mountain biking. The horizon lock technology keeps your videos level as you move. GoPro also added new modes for star trails, light painting, and vehicle light trails, so you can get creative content at night. And the Hero 11 can record up to 240 frames per second for dramatic slow-motion footage if you lower the quality to 2.7K.

While GoPros shine best with videos, this action camera is capable of attractive still images as well. In fact, photo quality has been improved to 27 megapixels. It’s just as durable as past versions as well and is waterproof to 33 feet without an additional case.

Best DSLR: Nikon D7500

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Specs

• Resolution: 20.9 megapixels
• Sensor size: APS-C
• Lens mount: Nikon F
• Image stabilization: 
• Memory card slots: 
• Weight: 1.41 pounds
• Dimensions: 

Pros

• Reliable, accurate AF to track movement with 3D tracking feature
• Performs well in low-light conditions
• Solid build quality with plenty of controls
• Tilting LCD touchscreen makes navigation easy
• Produces accurate skin tones, excellent dynamic range 
• Large lens selection

Cons

• Poor video quality with 1.5x crop and noisy, jumpy AF
• No dual card slot
• DSLRs are getting phased out

The lone DSLR on this list, the Nikon D7500, has a few features that help it hold its own. It is the sole option here with an optical viewfinder. That translates into zero lag when looking through the viewfinder and drastically improved overall battery life compared to mirrorless. While the Z50 is a good Nikon mirrorless option, those who appreciate the feel of a DSLR will enjoy the D7500, which is also probably the toughest-built camera on this list.

This camera still offers plenty of features and excellent image quality that will make it relevant and viable for years to come. Its autofocus is accurate, reliable, and fast, with subject-tracking capabilities even in tricky lighting conditions. The D7500 is capable of 4K 30p video, though it results in a 1.5x crop, and the autofocus lags behind in video use.

Things to consider while shopping for the best cameras under $1,000

Before digging into our specific recommendations, we’ll outline some specific terms and features you’ll find out there in this space. Understanding these features will help you narrow down the picks to your specific needs. 

Mirrorless vs. DSLR

Mirrorless cameras have taken over for DSLRs atop the camera market, and it looks like it’s going to be that way for the foreseeable future. With companies dedicating their resources to developing mirrorless tech and pretty much halting DSLR development, shiny, new, and updated means mirrorless is the way to go. From the Sony a6400 to the Nikon Z50, the options are robust and produce high-quality images while also bringing other features to the table, depending on your pick. 

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t choose DSLRs. Because the systems are more established, there are a host of options on the second-hand market, meaning you could come away with a camera (and potentially a lens) comfortably under $1,000. And even if you upgrade down the road, those DSLR lenses typically adapt easily to their mirrorless counterparts.

Full-frame vs. crop sensor

At this price point, the majority of your options will be a crop sensor, which means the sensor is considerably smaller than its full-frame counterparts. That doesn’t mean these APS-C cameras won’t deliver. However, do keep in mind that crop sensors often have fewer choices in the lens department. Even if they are compatible with lenses built for full-frame cameras, there will be a crop factor that varies depending on the camera brand. You’ll need to bear that in mind when selecting new glass, as it does impact the angle of view from a lens. For example, wide-angle lenses won’t feel so wide on the APS-C sensors.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best cameras under $1,000

• Best overall: Fujifilm X-T30 II
• Best mirrorless: Sony a6400
• Best full-frame: Canon EOS RP
• Best for YouTube videos: Sony ZV-E10
• Best Canon: Canon EOS R10
• Best Nikon: Nikon Zfc
• Best action camera: GoPro Hero 11 Black
• Best DSLR: Nikon D7500

Ultimately, the best camera under $1,000 is the one that checks all the boxes for the content you want to create. If you want to create film-inspired street photography, your camera pick will be different from the budding YouTuber looking for a camera with high-quality video.

It’s easy to have FOMO—and worse, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Buying a camera that ticks every single box feels safe. But it will also cost you. Plus, if you’re devoting all your time to creating photos or videos that you enjoy, then you won’t miss the features that are less important, and that’s where it’s okay to compromise, saying yes to great features that’ll help you achieve amazing results, and not worrying about the lacking features that you’ll never use anyway.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best cameras under $1000 in 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

So far this year, Nikon’s lens releases have been geared towards APS-C users with a significant focus on a wide-angle perspective. But now, Nikon is shifting far to the other end of the spectrum. The image-making powerhouse has just announced the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 and Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lenses. Both of these lenses are designed for full-frame cameras and offer versatile reach in relatively compact packages. And both are priced under $2,000, making them much more affordable than most of the super-telephoto zooms currently available for Nikon mirrorless cameras. Here’s what we know about the lenses so far.

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NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 details

The NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is Nikon’s mirrorless follow-up to its incredibly popular F-mount AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6 lens. The new lens offers even more reach at both ends of the focal length range, though loses the constant maximum aperture, which is a little disappointing to see. Luckily, f/5.6 to 6.3 is really minor, especially on a super-telephoto zoom lens. And it offers 5.5 stops of vibration reduction, which more than covers the third of an aperture stop you’ll lose when zooming in.

The long reach of this lens makes it especially ideal for documenting wildlife, sports, planes, and more. And although the Z 180-600mm lens is absolutely a super-telephoto zoom lens, Nikon worked to offer decent close focusing abilities. It can focus at 4.3 feet at the wide end and 7.9 feet when fully zoomed in. That opens up more possibilities for photographing subjects like flowers and insects when zoomed out, adding to the versatility of the lens.

Construction

The Z 180-600mm lens is quite compact for a lens of this class. It weighs 4.3 pounds, which makes it feasible to hand-hold, at least for short periods of time. Plus, the customizable Fn buttons at the front end of the lens barrel are easily accessible when shooting handheld. The optical design of the lens is quite extensive, involving 25 elements in 17 groups. That includes six ED glass elements that Nikon says effectively compensate for chromatic aberration. The aperture is comprised of nine blades which should result in round, attractive bokeh.

The lens is designed to resist dust and drips and also sports a fluorine coating on the front of the lens to repel dust and dirt. The fully internal zoom helps with the weather sealing, as there are fewer seams for dust and water to get into. It also helps maintain the balance of the lens, which is especially ideal when shooting on a tripod. And the lens features a short ring throw of 70 degrees from the widest to longest focal length. That short ring throw makes it easier to zoom in and out quickly, which is ideal for sports and wildlife photographers who need to react to a changing scene on a dime.

Additional features

The Z 180-600mm should be ideal for both photo and video applications, in part thanks to the clickless control ring and what Nikon says is effective suppression of focus breathing. The minimal focus breathing means that the focal length won’t change when you adjust your focus point, resulting in smoother videos. And the stepping motor results in fast and quiet autofocus.

If the Z 180-600mm lens doesn’t offer enough reach for you, there are a few options. You can engage the DX crop, which will result in a 270-900mm equivalent view. It is also compatible with Nikon’s teleconverters. The Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x will bump that max focal length to 840mm, while the TC2.0x teleconverter will offer up a massive 1200mm.

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 pricing & availability

The Z 180-600mm telephoto zoom lens comes in at a relatively affordable $1,696.95. It is available for pre-order now but won’t begin shipping until August of this year.

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NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 details

The Nikon Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lens joins the relatively new 17-28mm f/2.8 and 28-75mm f/2.8, rounding out Nikon’s trio of affordable, fast, and compact f/2.8 zoom lenses. The three lenses provide complete coverage from wide-angle to telephoto. It’s an ideal setup for photographers or videographers wanting affordable options and the possibility of getting just a handful of lenses to cover everything.

The new 70-180mm lens offers an extremely versatile zoom range. It nearly covers the range of a classic 70-200mm, which is a favorite zoom lens amongst wedding, motorsport, sport, and event photographers. And even though it is only short 20mm and provides the same f/2.8 aperture, it comes in at $1,000 cheaper than the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens. That’s a significant difference and makes this lens much more feasible for a lot of people.

Construction

On top of the significantly lower price, the Z 70-180mm f/2.8 is also much smaller than the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8. In fact, at 1.75 pounds and 3.3 by 6 inches, it’s 40 percent lighter. Cutting more than a pound out of your kit is a big deal and will make long days of shooting much easier.

The lens is dust- and drip-resistant with an antifouling coating on the front surface to keep is clear. On the body of the lens, you’ll find a customizable control ring that can control aperture, ISO, or focus. Nikon designed the lens with 19 elements in 14 groups, which include five ED elements, one Super ED element, and three aspherical elements. These work to suppress chromatic aberration and flaring, providing better overall image quality.

Additional features

One of the biggest assets of the 70-180mm lens is its fast f/2.8 aperture. It will assist in low light conditions like indoor receptions or gyms and also result in attractive bokeh and shallow depth of field to keep the focus on your subject. It also has excellent close-focusing abilities, adding versatility, especially for wedding photographers grabbing detail shots of wedding jewelry or decor. At 70mm, it can focus as close as 10.6 inches, while at 180mm, you’ll be able to focus up to 2.78 feet.

Nikon designed this lens with both photographers and videographers in mind. As a result, it has suppressed focus breathing. The stepping motor also results in near-silent autofocus, and it is fast enough to quickly focus on moving subjects.

If you want even more reach, the 70-180mm lens is compatible with Z teleconverter TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x. These will extend the maximum focal length to 252mm or 360mm, respectively. The TC-2.0x teleconverter results in a 0.96x reproduction ratio, which is very close to life-size reproduction, making it a worthy macro lens.

NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 pricing & availability

The NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 lens is available for pre-order now for $1,246.95. You’ll be able to get shooting with this lens a bit earlier, as it will begin shipping in mid-July.

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I’m hard-pressed to think of a photographic situation where the Nikon Z8 wouldn’t feel right at home. It’s super-fast sensor and fully electronic shutter can crank out full-resolution images at faster-than-video speeds for shooting action and sports. Its 45.7-megapixel sensor offers enough resolution even for large prints meant to hang in a gallery. And its standard-sized body makes it easy to handhold and lug around. For the Z8, Nikon essentially shrunk down its superb Z9 flagship, knocked $1,500 off the price, and told content creators to go shoot….whatever. This is a truly impressive camera–as long as you’re willing to put in the work to learn its intricacies. 

Specs

• 45.7 effective megapixel stacked, full-frame CMOS sensor
• No mechanical shutter
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization
• ISO range: 64 to 25,600 (Extended: 32 to 102,400)
• 20 fps full-res raw, 30 fps full-res jpeg (unlimited), 60 fps at 19 megapixels, and 120 fps at 11 megapixels
• Video recording up to 8K with several high-end 4K recording formats
• Two memory card slots: CFexpress Type B / XQD and SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II), respectively
• 3.2-inch, 4-axis tilting LCD touchscreen display
• 3,690,000-dot viewfinder with 0.8x magnification
• Weight: two pounds

Pros

• Exceptionally fast in just about every way
• Excellent overall image quality, even at high ISO
• Very solid dynamic range
• Tons of customization options
• Most of the Z9 functionality in a smaller, cheaper camera
• Comfortable to hold and operate
• Solid viewfinder
• Stacked sensor offers super-fast readout

Cons

• Battery life is just OK
• There’s a learning curve if you want to get the most out of it
• AF is good, but still lags behind Canon and Sony in some aspects

Nikon Z8 design and build

This camera feels like a DSLR. If you were used to shooting with a Nikon D850, then the Z8 will absolutely feel like home when you pick it up. Despite the Z8’s massive power, it’s considerably smaller and lighter than both the Z9 and the D850 that came before it. That’s impressive. The grip is chunky, which is good because the camera is littered with buttons. It eschews a mode dial in typical Nikon fashion and instead relies on button clusters. If you’re already well-versed in Nikon layouts and button functions, the Z8 transition should be simple. If you’re coming from a much older camera or a different system completely, you’ll probably want to spend some time with the manual. 

This is a near-flagship camera for Nikon, so it’s predictably tough. The magnesium alloy body is sturdy and weather sealed, so it can withstand moisture, dust, minor impacts, and even temperatures down to 14 degrees F. Plus, without a mechanical shutter, it’s missing one of the parts that typically breaks or dies first on many other cameras. That’s a durability win. 

Handling

I like to start with a camera set up just the way it is out of the box. The back of the camera sports 11 buttons, a dial, a joystick that presses like a button, a switch (for swapping between video and still mode), and a D-pad. Three more buttons sit next to the shutter button, and the left shoulder sports another four buttons. In short: It has a lot of buttons.

After a few weeks of shooting with the Nikon Z8, I found myself mostly satisfied with the stock button configuration in most shooting situations. I shoot one-handed a lot, and the layout isn’t overly friendly to that kind of shooting. Even though the Z9 is bigger and heavier, I found the integrated grip made it easier to balance the camera when shooting one-handed because it could rest against the bottom of my hand. That’s an edge case, though. In most shooting situations, it’s very clear that Nikon has spent a ton of time honing this layout. 

The joystick is easy to reach and very responsive. The front and rear dials provide a nice, sturdy click that’s difficult to activate accidentally. The small display on the top of the camera is also clear and easy to read, which is a nice touch. 

This feels like a pro camera because it is. But you can also mostly ignore all those buttons if you prefer and shoot in the most basic modes. You won’t be getting the most out of the camera, but you’ll get great images. If that’s your approach, however, something more basic will probably better suit your needs and save you some cash along the way. 

The lack of a mechanical shutter

While the mechanical shutter is slowly going the way of the mirror box found inside DSLRs, I do still miss the tactile response it gives when you take a photo. There are some instances with the Z8 where I wasn’t sure if I was taking photos. And even if I knew I was, I wasn’t sure how fast I was taking them. Admittedly, this is not a fault as much as something I really need to get used to. And while the Z8 felt totally natural in every respect by the end of my review period, the silent shutter still seems a little weird. 

That said, Nikon has released custom shutter sounds for the Z9, and you can enable a shutter sound on the Z8 to indicate a capture. This is a feature, not a bug, but it may take you a little while to wrap your head around it, especially if you’re coming from a DSLR like the D850, which slapped heartily with each frame.

Burst shooting

The stacked sensor inside the camera has computing hardware baked directly into it, which enables its somewhat ridiculous speed. It can capture 20 fps at full-res in raw format until the buffer is full. Then it slows down. If you’re shooting jpeg, you can get 30 fps until the card is full. Reduce the resolution down to 19 megapixels, and it will do 60 fps. Go all the way down to 11-megapixel jpegs, and it can churn out up to 120 fps. 

I tried all of these modes, and they really are impressive. I didn’t get out a stopwatch to get a super-specific count, but the Z8 is ultimately faster than the vast majority of people even need. You can’t really comprehend how fast a 120 fps burst rate is until you’re sitting there in Lightroom looking at an impossible number of pictures of your dog running across the yard. Each one is very slightly different than the one before it. The 30 fps mode is perhaps the most practical since many sports photographers shoot jpeg anyway for quick delivery and simple editing. The Z8 makes speedy promises and delivers on them in the real world. 

Image quality

Like the Z9 before it, the Z8 delivers impeccable image quality. I only had access to the Z 24-120mm f/4 lens during my testing period, which meant I spent some considerable time in the higher ISO settings. In most situations, I could get perfectly usable images at ISO 6400, especially after applying some noise-reduction software. The 45.7-megapixel sensor provides ample image data so the files can survive denoising without losing too much fine detail. 

At higher ISOs and in particularly dark situations, images do start to look somewhat flat and lack contrast. That’s fairly standard, but it’s worth knowing so you can shoot for it. It’s easily fixed in the edit with the 14-bit raw files. 

The overall look is very similar to what the Z9 spit out, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering how similar the hardware is. The files offer lots of latitude for pulling up shadows and bringing back seemingly blown skies. The camera really shines in contrasty situations if you expose for the highlights and bring up the shadows in post. The shadow areas in the raw files stand up well to tweaks in post. 

With 45.7-megapixels of resolution, the sensor also provides phenomenal detail. I shot an image across a lake that gave me a clear look at a sign that was too far away to read as clearly as it did in the picture. This sensor is truly amazing.

Autofocus performance

The Nikon Z8 is no slouch when it comes to autofocus. In fact, it beats out the Z9 in a few small ways, like total speed and tracking ability. Still, it lags slightly behind Sony and Canon, the latter of which I consider the gold standard of AF in modern mirrorless cameras. 

The Z8 has all the fancy object-tracking modes you’d expect from a camera at this level. It can detect people, animals, birds, vehicles, and more. It focuses extremely quickly, and the tracking locks on and holds on most of the time. Even with some tweaks, though, the AF system would want to switch subjects on me. With a large group of runners at a track meet, for instance, I’d want to make sure I pay attention to which runner the camera is locked onto. Once I had a little experience under my belt, it was mostly a non-issue. The differences between Nikon and Canon have shrunk, but they still exist. 

Once I got my AF process down with the Nikon (limited AF zone, tracking on, back-button activated), it was hard to miss a shot. The autofocus is snappy and accurate, with very solid tracking. Credit to Nikon for improving it.

Video features

I spent most of my review period evaluating the Z8’s photographic chops, but the video capabilities here are also truly impressive. It can capture up to 8K resolution at 30 fps without an external recorder. More importantly, it has a number of advanced 4K shooting modes. It can pull down 4K UHD footage in H.265 4:2:2 10-Bit at up to 100 fps without the use of an external recorder. That’s beastly.

It can also shoot 12-bit 8K raw and 4K UHD in ProRes 422 HQ 4:2:2 10-Bit up to 24 fps. Because the Z8 doesn’t have a built-in grip like the Z9, it’s much simpler to fit into a rig or other mirrorless-specific cinema gear. Plus, the Z8 has a secondary USB-C port in addition to its data port so it can charge while you work. That’s extremely handy for video shooters or photographers who spend a lot of time away from their regular charging setup. 

Nikon Z8 vs. Nikon Z9

If you’re trying to decide between the two, you’ll really have to consider the edge cases. The Z8 is more than $1,000 cheaper, smaller, and lighter. Plus, it has a generally improved AF system. The Z9 has a few advantages, perhaps the biggest of which is its form factor. The much larger Z9 battery provides much more juice. The Z8’s battery performance is OK, but it’s not outstanding. Plus, the integrated vertical controls are really nice, especially if you’re using large zoom lenses that balance much better against a bigger body. 

In reality, both cameras are absolute monsters. Plus, the Z9 now has a few extra tricks (including the awesome remote triggering system) that just arrived with its most recent firmware update. 

Conclusion

If you’re a professional or advanced photographer who wants a camera that can handle literally any situation, then the Z8 is absolutely ready for the job. It’s built incredibly tough, offers ample customization, provides plenty of megapixels, and sports an AF system that’s capable of tracking super-fast subjects. It feels and performs like a piece of professional equipment. The Z9 was already great, and the Z8 is even better in many ways. That’s something we love to hear, especially when the new model is cheaper than what came before. 

More sample images from the Nikon Z8

The post Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera review: Smaller, faster, cheaper, better appeared first on Popular Photography.

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