The Nikon Z6 is one of Nikon’s best mirrorless cameras.
It comes with a 24.5MP BSI-CMOS sensor, built-in stabilization, and a hybrid autofocus system.
Plus, it can shoot at up to 12 fps and capture oversampled 4K video!
Compact, lightweight, and with weatherproofing, it’s a really great camera for beginners and pros alike, and also ideal for blogging.
But are you thinking of upgrading your photography even more? If so, it’s probably time to buy a new lens!
Today, we’ve rounded up the 12 best lenses for the Nikon Z6.
That includes a full breakdown of the different lens types and aspects to look at before settling on a choice.
Want a quick answer? Check out the Nikon 24-120mm f/4!
There are several lens types you can try with the Sony a7, including…
The simplest but also most versatile lens type is the standard zoom lens. It’s essentially any lens with a variable focal length, which means you can easily zoom in and out.
In terms of the actual range, it’s typically in the mid-length between 24mm and 70mm. Any shorter and it would be an ultra-wide-angle, while any longer it would be considered a telephoto zoom.
Contrastingly, a standard prime lens refers to lenses with a fixed focal length. They’re not zoomable and the only way to reframe your scene is to physically move farther or closer from your subject.
While it may be less versatile, a prime lens is usually sharper and offers higher quality photos overall. Plus, it’s also smaller and more lightweight!
Next, when imagining photographers with their gigantic lenses, you’re probably thinking of the telephoto lens. This type of lens has a powerful zoom and can shoot subjects from a distance with impressive sharpness and detail.
Telephoto lenses are great for action-packed sports, wildlife, and event photography. But their bigger form and higher price tag may make them less suitable for beginners.
A macro lens has 1:1 magnification and can focus very closely to a subject while making it appear life-sized in the image. Some macro lenses have an even larger magnification, which can be good for photographing the tiniest objects.
Macro photography often captures small subjects like insects, leaves, water splashes, and other textured surfaces.
A wide-angle lens is able to capture more of a scene in a single frame, thanks to the shorter focal length. Its usual focal length is 35mm or shorter, which produces a wider field of view.
Most wide-angle lenses have a wide aperture, which means they’re excellent in low light and for astrophotography. They’re also made for architecture, interiors, and landscapes.
Finally, there’s the portrait lens. While you can basically photograph people with any of the above lenses, the best combo of a wide aperture and focal length of around 50mm will give you the most flattering portraits.
You can go for a slightly longer lens of 85mm for more close-up shots, or a shorter one if you also want to capture the background. A portrait lens can produce beautiful bokeh effects too.
Before choosing a Nikon Z6 lens, pay attention to these aspects of your lens…
The maximum aperture of a lens refers to the largest it can open to let in light into the sensor. Denoted with an ‘f’ followed by a number, a lower number means a wider aperture and better low light performance.
For instance, it’s easier for an f/1.4 lens to shoot sharp, blur-free photos in poorly lit conditions compared to an f/4.5 lens. But note that a larger aperture in a lens makes it more costly.
Another technical spec to consider is the focal length, as this determines the field of view and magnification of your images. It also affects how wide of a scene your camera can capture.
As explained previously, there are also two types of lenses: those with a fixed focal length and those with an adjustable length. While a short lens offers a more wide-angled view, a long lens is able to zoom in more.
Knowing exactly which type of lens you need for your photography can make the process faster too as it narrows down your options. Are you looking for a versatile lens for everyday use, or something more specific?
For example, perhaps you want to focus on portrait photography. Or maybe you need a wide-angle lens to document all the expansive landscapes that you come across on your travels!
Next up, don’t forget to think about how well-built the lens is. Does it feel good and sturdy in your hands?
It’s also worth checking if it comes with weather-sealing features such as dust and moisture resistance, which is a huge plus if you’re planning to shoot a lot in unpredictable, outdoor locations.
As a full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6 is pretty lightweight and compact to start with. This means you shouldn’t overlook how heavy and large your lens is!
Not only is a light lens easier to work with for longer periods of time, but it’s also simpler to pack and fit into your camera backpack. This can be a crucial factor if you’re a backpacker and planning to travel with your camera.
Good news! The Nikon Z6 features a 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which means it has gyroscopes inside the mechanism to maximize the stability of your images and footage.
This doesn’t mean you should deliberately forego lenses with stabilization. It’s always a nice thing to have two of, so that you can produce the smoothest stills and videos even when shooting handheld!
Last but not least, it’s time to consider how much you’re willing to spend for a lens. Remember that this is money you spend on top of the camera itself!
If you’re a professional whose livelihood depends on your photos, then it makes sense to invest in a higher-quality lens. But a casual hobbyist or beginner might want to think twice before buying the most expensive lens there is.
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Focal length: 24-120 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 710 g
Size (diameter x length): 84 x 103 mm
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 is the overall best lens for the Nikon Z6.
As a zoom lens with wide-angle up to telephoto capabilities, it’s an incredibly versatile tool that can capture moments from every situation.
While not the lightest lens, it’s still relatively compact for the powerful performance it offers, as well as an onslaught of advanced tech, including Vibration Reduction II.
This is a great image stabilization that allows for more stable handheld shooting!
There’s also the Silent Wave Motor to ensure fast but quiet autofocus, two ED elements, and a Super Integrated Coating, all working together to deliver the best optics.
All in all, we think this Nikon lens can be useful for a lot of photography types, from everyday shots to landscapes and even portraits!
Minimum focus distance: 0.4 m
Focal length: 50 mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Weight: 415 g
Size (diameter x length): 76 x 86.5 mm
The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 is hands-down the best prime lens we could find for the Nikon Z6. Its focal length of 50mm is often known as the nifty fifty, which is an ideal length equivalent to 'what our eyes see’.
It’s definitely a great go-to lens if you prefer something much sharper and high-contrast, and don’t mind foregoing the changeable length of a zoom lens.
This is also a great lens for portraits, thanks to its bright aperture, fast AF, and gorgeous bokeh rendering.
The autofocus also features a quiet stepping motor that’s super accurate—this is fantastic even for videos!
Moreover, this lens comes with two ED and two AS lens elements, as well as the trademark Nano Crystal Coat for minimal ghosting, flare, and chromatic aberration.
Minimum focus distance: 0.38 m
Focal length: 24-70 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Weight: 805 g
Size (diameter x length): 89 x 126 mm
If you’re looking for an alternative zoom lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 might be it.
The reason it’s not our top pick is because it can be pricey for beginners, and has a slightly bigger and heavier build.
That said, this Nikon lens offers really good optics and superior images. Its mid-range zoom is great for sceneries, street photography, and also videos.
You’ll get outstanding clarity and high resolution, plus the ultimate aberration correction.
Not to mention the fluorine coating for solid weather-sealing that includes dirt, dust, and water-repelling features that makes it safer to use outdoors.
Oh, this lens actually also works well for macro shots, so that’s always a plus!
Minimum focus distance: 0.85 m
Focal length: 85 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Filter diameter: 86 mm
Weight: 1,210 g
Size (diameter x length): 94.7 x 152.2 mm
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is probably one of the best third-party lenses for Nikon Z mount. It’s an especially great portrait lens.
With impressive resolving power and reduced chromatic aberrations, it’s easy to capture the most flattering portraits with your Nikon Z6.
It features two SLD elements for clear images even when shooting wide-open.
Speaking of which, the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture is going to be your best friend in low light.
This, combined with the other optics, also make for the smoothest, creamiest background blurs.
The Super Multi-Layer Coating also minimizes any flare and ghosting while ensuring sharp, high-contrast photos every time.
Unfortunately, this lens can be quite heavy and large, as well as pricey, but it’s absolutely worth the sheer quality you get!
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m
Focal length: 70-200 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 1,360g
Size (diameter x length): 89 x 220 mm
The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is the perfect telephoto lens for any photographer or cinematographer using the Nikon Z6.
Sports, events, weddings, wildlife, portraits, and night skies, you name it! This lens can handle it all.
Its bright aperture of f/2.8 also makes it excel in low light, which means you can even use it for astrophotography.
Better yet, it can focus really closely for a telephoto lens, utilizing its superior speed and performance to capture gorgeous shots even in tight spaces.
Lastly, the quiet stepping motor (STM) ensures quick, silent, and precise autofocusing. This also lets you shoot without making much noise when in the streets, wildlife, and weddings.
The only thing to note is that it’s rather expensive and bulky, making it less accessible for beginners.
Minimum focus distance: 0.75 m
Focal length: 100-400 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 1,435 g
Size (diameter x length): 98 x 222 mm
Looking for a lens with an even greater telephoto reach? Maybe the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is what you’re looking for!
The good news is that it’s not that much larger and heavier than the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8, despite having twice the zoom.
However, you do have to trade this in with a narrower aperture, so this lens may not be the best for low light.
That said, this lens delivers fantastic optics and super steady 5.5 stops of Vibration Reduction, as well as a comfortable handling.
It’s really ideal for wildlife, sports, and other subjects where you may be shooting from a distance.
Plus, it features great weather sealing that makes the lens resistant to dust, splash, and smudges. Always a handy feature for outdoor sessions!
Minimum focus distance: 0.2 m
Focal length: 20 mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 505 g
Size (diameter x length): 84.5 x 108.5 mm
When it comes to wide-angle lenses for the Nikon Z6, we love the Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S.
The lens combines a wide-angle perspective with the excellent sharpness and resolution of a prime lens, as well as a wide f/1.8 aperture.
From landscape, interior, architecture, to low-light shots, you’ll get sharp images with beautiful rendering each time.
Its 0.2m minimum focusing distance is also really useful as it allows you to capture wide-angle shots even in tight spaces.
Furthermore, this Nikon lens is also great for videos!
All thanks to its quick and quiet autofocusing and a customizable control ring that you can use to control ISO and iris transitions while filming.
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m
Focal length: 14-30 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Weight: 485 g
Size (diameter x length): 89 x 85 mm
If you’re more interested in a wide-angle lens with a zoom range, try the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S.
It’s an ultra-wide zoom lens that will quickly be any travel and landscape photographer’s best friend.
What we really love is its relatively compact and lightweight build, which makes it easily portable and thus suitable to bring on trips to Ireland, for example.
This lens also offers corner-to-corner sharpness, even at maximum aperture, while the stepping motor ensures near-silent autofocusing that’s also fast and accurate.
Its optical performance is not to doubt either!
With 4 ED and 4 aspherical glass elements, Nano Crystal Coat, and fluorine coating, there will be virtually no ghosting, flare, or any sort of aberration in your results.
Minimum focus distance: 0.163 m
Focal length: 40 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 235 g
Size (diameter x length): 68.5 x 64.5 mm
Macro photography is always a fun and unique way to portray different everyday subjects. From insect close-ups to glitters and fashion details, your creativity is the only limit.
The Nikon 40mm f/2.8G is an excellent lens to explore this, thanks to its high resolution and life-sized magnification.
Plus, the close minimum focusing distance of 0.163m lets you get up close with an object and still maintain a crisp focus.
With a silent autofocus and multilayer coating, you can enjoy both a noise-free shoot session and impressive images!
It also produces stunning bokeh, thanks to the rounded 7-blade diaphragm and f/2.8 max aperture.
Meanwhile, Nikon’s Close-Range Correction (CRC) system incorporates a “floating element” system, where the lens group moves independently for close-distance focusing.
Minimum focus distance: 0.49 m
Focal length: 18-200 mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 560 g
Size (diameter x length): 77 x 96.5 mm
For standard, everyday use, you may want to try the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G, a versatile zoom lens designed for everything from landscapes to portraits.
An excellent all-rounder, the powerful 11x zoom covers the functions of a wide-angle and up to a telephoto lens.
It’s packed with advanced Nikon features, including Vibration Reduction II that ensures 3.5 stops of smooth videos and blur-free photos.
Not to mention the ED glass elements for reduced chromatic aberration and Super Integrated Coating to improve color consistency.
Finally, the Silent Wave Motor also delivers fast and quiet focusing!
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 24-70 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 500 g
Size (diameter x length): 77.5 x 88.5 mm
Next up, we’ve got the Nikon 24-70mm f/4, which is an especially ideal lens for recording videos. So, all the vloggers and YouTubers out there!
While its aperture may not be the widest, the constant f/4 can ensure consistent lighting and produce smooth zoom transitions.
There’s also an additional electronic VR that activates when recording videos. It makes sure your footage is always smooth even when shooting handheld.
And since this lens is designed for the Z system, the larger lens mount and shorter distance also provide impressive sharpness and vibrance for stunning photos.
Minimum focus distance: 0.35 m
Focal length: 24-50 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 195 g
Size (diameter x length): 73.5 x 51 mm
Last but not least, the best travel lens you might want for your Nikon Z6 is the Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3.
It’s an awesome choice if you’re planning to explore places with remote, rugged destinations, such as Thailand.
The focal range allows you to immerse in street, landscape, and interior photography, while also capturing gorgeous portraits and everyday shots.
But its main benefit is definitely the portability, and this lens is incredibly lightweight and compact, while still fitting in a bunch of advanced tech!
Expect clear and bright images with consistent colors, as well as edge-to-edge sharpness.
Plus, this lens also has a quiet stepping motor that can be especially useful when recording videos during your trip.
Like the other cameras in the Nikon Z series, you can use any Nikon Z or FX mount lenses with it.
Yes, the Nikon Z6 is great for street photography. It’s sharp, high-resolution, and comes with built-in image stabilization that’s particularly useful for capturing images in the streets.
Again, the exact lenses depend on what you prioritize in photography, but an overall great Z lens is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8. It’s a brilliant zoom lens with amazing low light performance!
Yes, the Nikon Z6 is good for landscape photography, thanks to its dynamic range, high resolution, and high contrast. Consider getting a wide-angle lens like the Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S to improve your photos even more.
That’s it from us!
We’ve included all sorts of Nikon Z6 lenses, and we hope you can find the best one for you.
Can you think of other great lenses we didn’t mention?
Which one are you going for?
Comment below as we’d love to hear from you!
Other lens reviews:
Leave a comment
Let us know what you think!