6 Best 24-70mm Lenses for Nikon in 2024

You’ll find many photographers who simply couldn’t be without their favorite  24-70mm zoom. That’s why we’ve put together this review of the best 24-70mm lenses for Nikon. These lenses are known for their versatility, which is why the pros love them. And they are ideal in a wide range of shooting scenarios from landscapes to portraits.

Our top pick is the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, chosen for its exceptional sharpness and performance in low light. It’s a standout option for those looking to improve their photography. Alongside this top choice, we’ve also reviewed five other lenses, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every Nikon photographer out there.

What Is the Best 24-70mm Lens for Nikon?

Selecting the best 24-70mm lens for Nikon involves considering sharpness, low-light performance, and versatility. We have included Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron lenses, each offering unique advantages. We prioritized image quality, stabilization, and build, ensuring options for every Nikon shooter’s needs.

Our Favorite 24-70mm Lenses for Nikon

Let’s take a closer look at the best 24-70mm lenses for Nikon to see which is the best choice for your needs. From sharpness and low light performance to image stabilization, there’s a lens here to lift every photographer’s game.

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens is a top choice for photographers who need versatility and high performance. Its wide f/2.8 aperture is great for low light and creating a shallow depth of field. This makes it perfect for portraits and events where you want your subject to stand out. The lens also has a good range, from wide landscapes at 24mm to detailed shots at 70mm, without needing to switch lenses.

This lens is sharp across the frame, which is important for professional photography. It uses special glass and coatings to keep images clear and free of distortions or color fringing. However, it doesn’t have built-in image stabilization. Nikon Z cameras have stabilization in the body, which helps, but it’s something to remember if you use it in low light or at slow shutter speeds. It does have a rather neat LCD display window, so you can choose which parameter you want it to display. That is a good example of how mirrorless cameras can change the way manufacturers do things.

Compared to the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the f/2.8 version is heavier and more expensive but offers better low-light performance and bokeh. This makes it a good option for pros or serious hobbyists who need the best image quality and can handle a bit more weight in their bag, and a bigger hit to their bank balances.

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S is a practical choice for photographers who value a light and compact lens. Its f/4 aperture, while not as wide as some lenses, strikes a balance between size and performance. This makes it ideal for travel and day-to-day shooting. The lens delivers sharp images, a key factor for professional work. It handles well on Nikon Z cameras, offering a comfortable shooting experience.

Optically, this lens is an absolute star, and minimizes common issues like distortion and chromatic aberration, thanks to its advanced design. It’s good at capturing detailed shots across its zoom range. The autofocus is quick, ensuring you don’t miss a moment. However, it relies on the camera’s stabilization, which works well but is something to consider in low light.

For those using Nikon Z cameras, this lens is very useful. It’s well-suited for a variety of photography styles, from landscapes to portraits. Its build and optical quality make it a good option for anyone looking to reduce their bag’s weight without sacrificing image quality. It’s not as fast as the more expensive f/2.8, but the bokeh is still surprisingly good. This is a top-quality lens that will survive lots of daily use, delivering fabulous images.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | A is a solid choice for Nikon F users looking for a lens that does it all at a slightly lower price than the Nikon equivalent. Its f/2.8 aperture is great for low light and creating beautiful background blur, making it useful for everything from landscapes to portraits. The lens is part of Sigma’s Art line, known for its excellent image quality and build. It’s a bit heavy at around 2.24 lbs (1 kg), but the weight is a trade-off for its optical performance.

This lens stands out with its optical stabilization, a big advantage for handheld shooting in dim settings. It ensures sharp images even at slower shutter speeds. The autofocus is quick and reliable, which is key in fast-paced situations. While it’s not the lightest lens, its versatility and image quality make it very useful for photographers who need a reliable zoom lens in their bag.

The Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon F is a versatile lens that delivers excellent value for money. Its constant f/2.8 aperture helps in low light and creates a beautiful bokeh, making it perfect for portraits and events. The lens is sturdy, and designed to endure professional use, and its weather sealing is a big plus for outdoor shoots. Weighing about 2 lbs (904 g), it’s a bit heavy but balances well on most cameras.

Despite being roughly two-thirds the price of the same spec Nikon lens, it is notable for its effective image stabilization, allowing photographers to shoot at slower shutter speeds without blur. The autofocus is quick and reliable, capturing sharp images even in dynamic scenes. While it shows some distortion at wide angles, this is easily fixed in post-processing. Overall, the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 is a good option for those needing a high-quality, adaptable lens for their Nikon F camera.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a go-to lens for many professional photographers, prized for its versatility and optical performance. With a constant f/2.8 aperture, it excels in low light and allows for a shallow depth of field, making it perfect for portraits and events. The lens is robust and built to endure the demands of daily professional use, and its weather sealing is a bonus for shooting in challenging conditions. At about 31.8 oz (902g), it’s on the heavier side, but that’s expected for a lens of this caliber.

Sharpness is a standout feature, with images remaining crisp across the zoom range. The lens does show some distortion at wide angles, but this is easily corrected. Its autofocus is quick and reliable, ensuring sharp images even in fast-paced environments. While it lacks image stabilization, its overall performance makes it a valuable tool for photographers needing quality and flexibility.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR takes the previous Nikon lens, and adds image stabilization (or vibration reduction, in Nikon’s terminology). Its f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range is perfect for low light and achieving beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite among portrait and event photographers. The addition of Vibration Reduction (VR) is a significant upgrade, allowing for sharper images in dim conditions or when shooting handheld. Weighing in at around 2.36lb (1070g), it’s a bit hefty but manageable, especially given its pro-grade build and weather sealing.

Optically, this lens impresses with sharp, clear images and well-controlled aberrations, thanks to its advanced glass elements. Autofocus is both quick and precise, ensuring you never miss a moment. While it may be larger and heavier than some alternatives, its performance in a wide range of shooting scenarios—from landscapes to portraits—makes it very useful for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike.

Conclusion: The Best 24-70mm Lenses for Nikon

These six 24-70mm lenses for Nikon, are all optically excellent. Each lens offers unique advantages, from low light capabilities to image stabilization, catering to different photography needs and preferences.

Our top choice, the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, stands out for its sharpness and versatility. It’s the best for professional photography. If that’s not for you, then there are five other lenses to consider, each with its strengths.