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Expanding the Possibilities of NIKKOR Lenses with Mirrorless Cameras

From DSLR to mirrorless cameras — unlocking new potential for lenses.

When the mirrorless Nikon Z mount was unveiled in 2018, it represented the dawn of a new era for Nikon cameras and lenses. The Z mount is both the widest and shallowest 35mm format lens mount in the world1, which unlocks vast new potential for unique lens designs and unparalleled optical performance. 

By reducing the distance between the lens mount and the camera’s sensor, the rear elements of NIKKOR Z lenses can be positioned very close to the imaging surface. This, plus the ultra-wide diameter of the mount, allows Nikon’s engineers to create more efficient optical designs that deliver sharper, more consistent images across the entire frame—even at ultra-fast apertures and wide angles of view.

In addition to realizing new levels of performance, NIKKOR Z lenses are remarkable for their light weight. And, thanks to the advanced technology used in their designs, NIKKOR Z lenses can be optimized for the needs of filmmakers as well as photographers, with new customization options and dedicated video-friendly controls.

NIKKOR Z lens family grouping

Designed with our users in mind. 

It takes years for a lens to go from an initial concept to a final product, and at every stage of development, Nikon’s planning and design teams work together to ensure that each new lens design meets the highest possible level of technical quality and satisfies the needs of its intended users. Every NIKKOR Z lens is developed with our customers in mind, and our goal with each new design is to excite photographers and filmmakers with new creative possibilities. "What kind of lens will excite photographers?”; "How can we inspire them to take more photos?” and "How can we provide lenses that lets users fully concentrate on the shooting experience?” These are the questions we ask before starting work on any new design.

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

An ultra-wide zoom for the mirrorless era.

By taking advantage of the Z mount’s unique dimensions, Nikon’s engineers were able to create a wide-angle zoom lens that pushes the boundaries for lenses of its class. The optical design of the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S delivers a new standard of sharpness, even wide open at 14mm. Gone is the bulbous front element of the previous-generation lens, which enables compatibility with conventional screw-in filters via the included bayonet lens hood2. On the suggestion of the mechanical design team, Nikon’s engineers even made room for a convenient tray at the rear of the lens for gel-type cut filters3.

Amazingly, the weather-sealed NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S weighs in at 35% less than its F mount predecessor.

product photo of the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens
NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens product photo
NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

A new frontier for NIKKOR Z.

In addition to many other details, much thought was given to the specific texture of the focus and zoom rings so that video shooters can easily distinguish them by touch.

While all NIKKOR Z lenses can be used for photography and video, the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ was developed specifically to meet the evolving needs of our growing audience of video creators. Our engineers wanted to create a lens that covered several key filmmaking focal lengths in a single, exquisitely balanced package, with a customizable power zoom function to enable a variety of creative techniques without the need for additional accessories.

woman designing a NIKKOR mirrorless lens, with schematics and optics on the table in front of her
  1. Per Nikon research as of May 2025.
  2. Screw-in filters (112mm) can be attached to the front of the lens via the supplied bayonet lens hood.
  3. Sheet-type filters can be attached simply by cutting them into squares and trimming the corners.