Nikon’s New 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Kit Zoom for the Z5 II
▼ Summary
– Nikon has announced the compact and versatile Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, which will also be sold as a kit with the Z5 II.
– The lens features a 12-element optical design with special glass, a customizable control ring, and a stepping motor for fast, quiet autofocus.
– It is lightweight at 12.4 ounces and has a close minimum focusing distance, enabling close-up shots with a blurred background despite its variable aperture.
– The lens will be available in mid-January 2026 for $549.95 individually or as part of a Z5 II kit priced at $2,199.95.
– This new kit option is positioned between the existing 24-50mm and 24-200mm kits in both price and zoom range.
Nikon has introduced a new, highly portable zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless system, the Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1. This lens is designed to be a versatile, everyday companion and is being offered both individually and as a bundled kit option with the anticipated Nikon Z5 II camera. This pairing provides a fresh and compelling choice for photographers entering the full-frame mirrorless market, offering a balanced focal range in a lightweight package.
Engineered for all-day comfort and diverse shooting scenarios, the lens boasts a compact form factor. Its optical design incorporates 12 elements in 10 groups, including one extra-low dispersion element and two aspherical elements to help control aberrations and enhance image clarity. It accepts 67mm front filters and has physical dimensions of approximately 2.9 by 4.2 inches.
A key feature for customization is the lens’s control ring, which photographers can assign to adjust focus, aperture, exposure compensation, or ISO sensitivity directly from the lens barrel. Weighing only 12.4 ounces (350 grams), it is remarkably light for its zoom range. The lens also excels in close-focusing capability, with a minimum distance of 7.9 inches at 24mm and 11 inches at 105mm. Notably, it achieves a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.5x at focal lengths between 70mm and 105mm, enabling detailed close-up photography. Nikon emphasizes that even at the narrower f/7.1 aperture at the telephoto end, this close focusing distance allows for pleasing background blur in macro-style shots.
Autofocus is handled by a stepping motor (STM), which Nikon states provides both rapid and silent operation, making it suitable for both still photography and video recording. The company positions this lens as an ideal partner for the Z5 II, stating the kit offers an all-in-one solution for creators to capture a wide array of subjects and moments.
The Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is scheduled for release in mid-January 2026 with a standalone price of $549.95. The Z5 II kit including this lens will be priced at $2,199.95. This strategically places the new kit between Nikon’s existing Z5 II bundle options, offering a middle ground in both cost and zoom versatility compared to the 24-50mm kit ($1,999.95) and the more extensive 24-200mm kit ($2,499.95).
(Source: PetaPixel)