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BEST NIKON LENSES OF 2026

Updated
Updated
BEST OF THE BEST
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
Nikon
AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
High-Performance Zoom Lens
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast and constant aperture
  • Effective Vibration Reduction
  • Durable and weather-sealed
CONS
  • Heavy and bulky
  • Expensive
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon
AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Wide-angle capabilities
  • Fast aperture
  • Durable build quality
CONS
  • Heavy
  • Expensive
  • No filter thread
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
Nikon
AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
Prime Portrait Lens
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Fast aperture
  • Sharp images
  • Durable build
CONS
  • Expensive
  • No image stabilization
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR
Nikon
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR
All-in-One Zoom Lens
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Wide focal range
  • Effective VR
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good image quality
CONS
  • Variable aperture
  • Not the best in low light
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Nikon
AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Macro Photography Lens
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Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Excellent for macro photography
  • Sharp images
  • Effective VR
  • Durable build quality
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Heavy
BEST OF THE BEST
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
High-Performance Zoom Lens
Focal Length: 24-70mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Lens Construction: 20 elements in 16 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.38 m
Filter Size: 82mm
Weight: 1070 g

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR is designed for photographers who demand the utmost in image quality. The lens features an f/2.8 constant aperture, which allows for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control.

The addition of Vibration Reduction (VR) technology helps to minimize camera shake, making it easier to achieve sharp images even in challenging shooting conditions. The lens is also constructed with aspherical, ED, and HRI elements, which help to reduce chromatic aberrations and distortions, resulting in images with exceptional clarity and color accuracy.

The Nano Crystal Coat further reduces ghosting and flare, ensuring that your images have high contrast and rich color saturation. The rugged build quality and weather-sealed design make this lens suitable for professional use in a variety of environments.

PROS
  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast and constant aperture
  • Effective Vibration Reduction
  • Durable and weather-sealed
CONS
  • Heavy and bulky
  • Expensive
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
Focal Length: 14-24mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.28 m
Filter Size: Not supported
Weight: 1000 g

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is a professional-grade ultra-wide-angle lens that is highly regarded for its sharpness and image quality. It is ideal for landscape, architecture, and interior photography due to its wide field of view and fast f/2.

8 aperture. The lens features ED glass elements and Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare, providing clear and contrast-rich images. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast and quiet autofocus performance, while the robust build quality with weather-sealing makes it suitable for use in challenging conditions.

Despite its wide-angle capabilities, the lens delivers minimal distortion, making it a favorite among professionals who require precise and high-quality images.

PROS
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Wide-angle capabilities
  • Fast aperture
  • Durable build quality
CONS
  • Heavy
  • Expensive
  • No filter thread
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
Prime Portrait Lens
Focal Length: 85mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Construction: 10 elements in 9 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.85 m
Filter Size: 77mm
Weight: 595 g

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is a top choice for portrait photographers seeking a lens that provides beautiful bokeh and sharp subject isolation. The fast f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creates a shallow depth of field that makes subjects stand out against blurred backgrounds.

The lens is constructed with Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating to reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring high contrast and vibrant colors. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast and quiet autofocus, while the manual focus override allows for precise control.

The durable build quality and weather-sealing ensure that the lens can withstand professional use.

PROS
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Fast aperture
  • Sharp images
  • Durable build
CONS
  • Expensive
  • No image stabilization
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR
All-in-One Zoom Lens
Focal Length: 18-300mm
Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-6.3
Minimum Aperture: f/22-40
Lens Construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.48 m
Filter Size: 67mm
Weight: 550 g

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is an all-in-one zoom lens that covers a wide focal range, making it an ideal choice for travel and general photography. The lens features Vibration Reduction (VR) technology to minimize camera shake and ensure sharp images, even at longer focal lengths.

The lens is constructed with ED glass elements and aspherical lens elements to reduce chromatic aberrations and distortions, providing high-quality images across the zoom range. The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry, while the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast and quiet autofocus.

This lens is perfect for photographers who want a single lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations.

PROS
  • Wide focal range
  • Effective VR
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good image quality
CONS
  • Variable aperture
  • Not the best in low light
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Macro Photography Lens
Focal Length: 105mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Aperture: f/32
Lens Construction: 14 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.31 m
Filter Size: 62mm
Weight: 720 g

The Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is a specialized macro lens designed for close-up photography. With a 1:1 reproduction ratio, this lens is capable of capturing subjects at their actual size, making it ideal for photographing small objects, insects, and flowers.

The fast f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent control over depth of field and low-light performance. The lens features Vibration Reduction (VR) technology to minimize camera shake, ensuring sharp images even at close distances.

The ED glass elements and Nano Crystal Coat reduce chromatic aberrations and flare, providing high-quality images with accurate colors and fine details. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast and quiet autofocus, while the internal focusing (IF) system keeps the lens length constant.

The durable build and weather-sealing make this lens suitable for outdoor use.

PROS
  • Excellent for macro photography
  • Sharp images
  • Effective VR
  • Durable build quality
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Heavy

How our picks compare

SpecificationNikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VRNikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G EDNikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4GNikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VRNikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Focal Length24-70mm14-24mm85mm18-300mm105mm
Maximum Aperturef/2.8f/2.8f/1.4f/3.5-6.3f/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22f/22f/16f/22-40f/32
Lens Construction20 elements in 16 groups14 elements in 11 groups10 elements in 9 groups16 elements in 12 groups14 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focus Distance0.38 m0.28 m0.85 m0.48 m0.31 m
Filter Size82mmNot supported77mm67mm62mm
Weight1070 g1000 g595 g550 g720 g