Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S vs Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S
Nikon Z
Both belong to Nikon's S-Line and are built for full frame: a 20 mm prime at f/1.8 and a 14-30 mm zoom at f/4. The Z 20mm f/1.8 S (February 2020) offers the wider aperture, a good two stops more light, at 505 g and with a 77 mm filter. The Z 14-30 f/4 S (January 2019) is retractable and, according to Nikon, was the first ultra-wide zoom from 14 mm to take screw-on filters (82 mm). At 485 g it even weighs a little less.
So it comes down to whether you need speed or flexibility. The zoom also covers 14 mm, while the prime stays at 20 mm.
Which one suits whom?
- Z 20 f/1.8: You shoot astro, city nights or interiors and need the wide aperture.
- Z 14-30: You want to shoot landscape and architecture flexibly from 14 to 30 mm, with filters on the thread.
Key differences
- Focal length: 20 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S, 14-30 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S is faster: f/1.8 instead of f/4, about 2.3 stops more light.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S is 20 g lighter (485 g vs 505 g).
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S is 24 mm shorter.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S focuses closer: from 20 cm instead of 28 cm.
- Filter thread: 77 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S, 82 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S | Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20 mm | 14-30 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/1.8 | f/4 |
| Weight | 505 g | 485 g |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 82 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 20 cm | 28 cm |
| Length | 109 mm | 85 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | no | no |
Size comparison
- Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S: 109 × 85 mm
- Nikon Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S: 85 × 89 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).