Summary
Highlights
The presenter introduces the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, acknowledging an earlier video where he claimed it wasn't for him. He explains his change of mind, citing dissatisfaction with the 24-200mm on a recent holiday and the need for a versatile lens for an upcoming football World Cup event. He also mentions the premium quality expected from S-line lenses.
The video delves into a comparison of depth of field and the 'look' produced by different lenses. The 24-120mm f/4 S is shown to have rounder, softer bokeh and a more balanced fall-off compared to the 24-200mm, which appeared flatter and busier. The 24-120mm f/4 S also provided better background compression than the 24-70mm f/4.
A detailed sharpness test is conducted at 100% crop at 24mm, 70mm, and 120mm. At 24mm, all comparable lenses (24-120mm f/4 S, 24-70mm f/2.8, 24-200mm, 24-70mm f/4) show identical center sharpness. At 70mm, the 24-70mm f/2.8 is slightly softer than the f/4 versions, while the 24-200mm at f/6 is very close in sharpness. At 120mm, the 24-120mm f/4 S provides a smoother background compared to the 24-200mm at f/6.3.
The lenses are tested in low-light conditions at a music gig. The 24-120mm f/4 S performs significantly better than the 24-200mm, which struggles with high ISO and lacks sharpness. An edge sharpness test at 24mm f/4 in a cafe setting highlights the superior edge sharpness of the 24-120mm f/4 S compared to the 24-200mm.
Comparing maximum zoom, the 24-200mm lens offers greater reach. While both lenses are sharp at their respective maximums, cropping the 24-120mm f/4 S to match the 200mm view of the 24-200mm results in a noticeable loss of quality, demonstrating the advantage of the 200mm native reach for subjects like wildlife.
The presenter admits he was wrong about the 24-120mm f/4 S, praising its 'beautiful' look and nuanced rendition over the 24-200mm. He emphasizes that while all Z lenses are sharp, the 24-120mm f/4 S offers superior aesthetics and a look comparable to 2.8 prime lenses, making it ideal for daytime outdoor photography and travel. He confirms he will keep the 24-120mm f/4 S, favoring it over the 24-200mm for its overall quality, despite the similar price point.