{"id":71179,"date":"2025-05-21T07:56:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T06:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=71179"},"modified":"2025-06-05T22:36:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T21:36:07","slug":"review-nikon-z-nikkor-14-30mm-f-4-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-nikon-z-nikkor-14-30mm-f-4-s\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

In my recent quest to review some of the zoom lenses in the Nikon Z series, we’ve arrived at the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f\/4 S \u2014 an ultra-wide-angle zoom and one of the first in the \u201cS\u201d line after the 24-70mm f\/4 S. The other two f\/4 S zoom lenses I reviewed (24-70mm f\/4 and 24-120mm f\/4) delivered impressive performance, but this one is an ultra-wide \u2014 a category that has historically been more challenging to get right. That said, Nikon has marketed it as part of the \u201cS\u201d line, which promises higher quality. Let\u2019s see how it performs!<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @20mm f\/16 (Stockholm, Sweden)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @30mm f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @30mm f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @18mm f\/13 (Tokyo, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @21mm f\/22 (Nagano, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @14mm f\/14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @26mm f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @14mm f\/13 (Tokyo, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @30mm f\/5.6 (Tokyo, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @14mm f\/4 (Kyoto, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Nikon Z Nikkor 14-30mm F\/4 S | @30mm f\/4 (Tokyo, Japan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n14-30 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n114\u00b0 – 72\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n7 (rounded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance (Magnification)<\/td>\n0.28 m (0.16x)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n82 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nNikon Z<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n485 g<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n89.0 mm x 85.0 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n14 \/ 12 (4 ED glass and 4 aspherical lens elements, elements with Nano Crystal Coat, and fluorine-coated front lens element)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Buy new:<\/strong> \u00a0Amazon (anywhere)<\/a> , B&H<\/a> for $1146 (Affiliate links)
\nBuy used: eBay.com<\/a>, eBay.de<\/a>, eBay.co.uk<\/a> from $550 (Affiliate links)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of our readers, Wolfgang, kindly loaned this lens for a couple of months for test and review purposes.<\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Nikon Z 14-30mm f\/4 S, like its standard zoom sibling, the 24-70mm f\/4 S, is a relatively small, minimalist lens made mostly of durable hard plastic, the mount plate is of metal though. This keeps the weight down to just 485 g, slightly lighter than the 24-70\/4, making it easy to carry. Despite the lightweight design, the build feels solid and tight, with no noticeable play or wobble.<\/p>\n

For travel, the lens features a retractable locking mechanism, which requires rotating the zoom ring past 14mm mark to lock. This helps reduce its size, making it easier to fit in a bag. However, the lens cannot be used for shooting while locked. Here is a size comparison with Z 24-70mm f\/4 S.<\/p>\n