Nikon Z-mount

Digital camera lens mount From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nikon Z-mount

Nikon Z-mount (stylised as ) is an interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its mirrorless digital cameras. In late 2018, Nikon released two cameras that use this mount, the full-frame Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6. In late 2019 Nikon announced their first Z-mount camera with an APS-C sensor, the Nikon Z50. In July 2020 the entry-level full-frame Z5 was introduced. In October 2020, Nikon announced the Nikon Z6II and Nikon Z7II, which succeed the Z6 and Z7, respectively. The APS-C lineup was expanded in July 2021, with the introduction of the retro styled Nikon Zfc, and in October 2021, Nikon unveiled the Nikon Z9, which effectively succeeds the brand's flagship D6 DSLR.[1] The APS-C lineup was further expanded with the Nikon Z30, announced at the end of June 2022.[2] The Nikon Z6III was announced in June 2024.[3] In November 2024, Nikon announced the Z50II, the first APS-C camera to use the Expeed 7 processor introduced with the Z9.[4]

Quick Facts Type, Inner diameter ...
Nikon Z-mount
Thumb
TypeBayonet
Inner diameter55 mm
Tabs4
Flange16 mm
Connectors11 electrical pins
Introduced2018
Close
Thumb
Nikon Z6 showing wide-diameter lens mount and full-frame sensor

Nikon SLR cameras, both film and digital, have used the Nikon F-mount with its 44 mm diameter since 1959. The Z-mount has a 55 mm diameter. The FTZ lens adapter allows many F-mount lenses to be used on Z-mount cameras.[5] The FTZ allows AF-S, AF-P and AF-I lenses to autofocus on Z-mount cameras. The older screw-drive AF and AF-D lenses will not autofocus with the FTZ adapter (although some third-party adapters do support autofocus with screw-drive AF lenses[6]), but they do retain metering and Exif data. Z-mount cameras support metering as well as in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with manual focus lenses.

The 55 mm throat diameter of the Nikon Z-mount makes it the largest full-frame lens mount.[7][8] It is much larger than the F-mount and the E-mount used by Sony mirrorless cameras[9] but only slightly larger than the 54 mm of both the Canon EF and RF mounts. It is also slightly larger than the 51.6 mm diameter full-frame mirrorless Leica L-Mount.[10] The Z-mount has also a very short flange distance of 16 mm,[11] which is shorter than all mentioned lens mounts. This flange distance allows for numerous lenses of nearly all other current and previous mounts to be mounted to Z-mount with an adapter.

In 2019, the Z-mount 58 mm f/0.95 S Noct lens reintroduced the Noct brand historically used by Nikon for lenses with ultra-fast maximum apertures.[12][13]

Nikon published a roadmap outlining which lenses are forthcoming when the Z-mount system was initially announced.[14] The roadmap has been updated multiple times.[15] As of February 2025, all lenses in the last version of the roadmap from September 2023 were released. Several lenses which were not indicated on the roadmap were released as well.[16][17] On October 30, 2024, Nikon announced that it is developing a video-centric, standard zoom lens with power zoom, the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ.[18][19] On February 13, 2025, the details of the lens were released,[20][21][22] alongside the announcement of the first two RED Digital Cinema cinema cameras which integrate Z-mount, the V-Raptor [X] and Komodo-X.[23][24] Nikon also announced two "RED Z to PL Adapter Pack" mount adapters (one of which has an electronic ND feature), which enable the use of PL-mount lenses on Z-mount RED cameras.[23]

Z-mount cameras

More information Model, Year ...
Model Year Sensor
Expeed
Cards Continuous
release fps
Weight Video recording[i][ii][iii]
Pixels IBIS 1080p 4K 6K 8K 10-bit 12-bit
Z30 2022 20.9 MP No 6 SD 11 fps 405 g 120 fps 30 fps n.a. No No
Z50 2019 450 g
Z50II 2024 7 11 fps
30 fps (JPEG)
550 g 30 fps
60 fps (1.5×)
Yes
Zfc 2021 6 11 fps 445 g 30 fps No
Z5 2020 24.3 MP Yes 6  SD 4.5 fps 675 g 60 fps 30 fps (1.7×)[25] No n.a. No No
Zf 2023 24.5 MP 7 SD +
microSD
14 fps 710 g 120 fps 30 fps
60 fps (1.5×)
No Yes No
Z6 2018 24.5 MP 6 CFX[iv] 12 fps 675 g 120 fps 30 fps No HDMI[v] Upgrade[vi]
Z6II 2020 6×2 CFX +
SD
14 fps 705 g 120 fps 30 fps
60 fps (1.5×)[28]
Z6III 2024 7 20 fps (RAW)
60 fps (JPEG)
120 fps (11 MP)
760 g 240 fps 60 fps
120 fps (1.5×)[29]
60 fps Yes Yes
Z7 2018 45.7 MP 6 CFX 9 fps 675 g 120 fps 30 fps No No HDMI[v] Upgrade[vi]
Z7II 2020 6×2 CFX +
SD
10 fps 705 g 120 fps 30 fps
60 fps (1.08×)[30]
FX Stacked
Z8 2023 45.7 MP 7 CFX +
SD
20 fps (RAW)
30 fps (JPEG)
60 fps (19 MP)
120 fps (11 MP)
910 g 120 fps 120 fps No 60 fps Yes Yes
Z9 2021  CFX 1340 g
Close
Notes
  1. If a video recording mode results in a crop, it is given in parentheses.
  2. The supported video frame rates are: 24/25/30 fps when up to 30 fps are supported, while cameras supporting up to 60 fps also support 50 fps recording. Cameras supporting up to 120 fps also support 100 fps recording. Cameras supporting 100/120 fps recording can also record in x4/x5 slow motion directly (targeting 24/25/30 fps video frame rates), which means playback of the resulting video file is already in slow motion, without the need for editing.
  3. Apart from the Z30, Z8 and Z9,[needs update] all cameras have a 30-minute length limitation for internal recording. External recording time is only limited by battery life.
  4. CFexpress slots are backwards-compatible to XQD cards.
  5. 10-bit output can be recorded with an external HDMI recorder. External 10-bit recording can optionally use N-Log, a profile for recording video. The Z6II and Z7II also support external recording of 10-bit hybrid log gamma (HLG) video.
  6. 12-bit output requires a compatible recorder and is a paid upgrade. The extra-cost 12-bit upgrade enables external recording of 12-bit ProRes RAW.[26] The resulting footage has greater dynamic range than 8- or 10-bit footage. However, the camera uses pixel skipping (which is necessary since ProRes RAW directly stores non-debayered sensor data) resulting in a somewhat softer image with more noise and more frequent appearance of moiré patterns compared to the full-width downsampling 8- and 10-bit modes.[27]

Z-mount lenses

Summarize
Perspective

Nikon uses a new designation system for their Z-mount lenses. The older F-mount Nikkor designations are no longer used, though they overlap in some areas (e.g. the VR and DX labels). Nikon also introduced the S-Line branding for especially high-performance ("superior") lenses, which is akin to Canon's L designation or Sony's "G-Master" branding.

  • S-Line — High-end lenses. Not associated with any particular function, but S-Line lenses often have additional controls or a multi-function display.[31]
  • DX — Lens only covers the DX image circle. FX cameras will switch to DX crop mode.
  • MCMacro lenses with 1:1 magnification.
  • PF — Phase Fresnel. Replaces several lens elements with one PF element, reducing the size and weight of a lens.[32]
  • PZ — Power zoom. Motorized zoom function to be used with controls on lens, camera, remote or app.
  • SE — "Special Edition" lenses with exterior design matching the Nikon Z f and Z fc cameras.
  • TC — Switchable teleconverter built into the lens.
  • VRVibration Reduction. Uses a moving optical group to reduce the photographic effects of camera shake.

Lens lines

The Nikkor Z line-up has several distinct lines of lenses, which are designed with similar handling and optical characteristics.

The so-called "holy trinity" of f/2.8 zooms:

  • Nikkor Z 14-24 mm f/2.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/2.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S

The lower-cost "holy trinity". These are adapted Tamron designs offering less wide angle, less reach and no VR, but at a substantially lower cost. Due to this trade-off, they are not part of the S-line:

  • Nikkor Z 17-28 mm f/2.8
  • Nikkor Z 28-75 mm f/2.8
  • Nikkor Z 70-180 mm f/2.8

A series of f/4 zoom lenses covering the ultra-wide to tele range:

  • Nikkor Z 14-30 mm f/4 S
  • Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/4 S
  • Nikkor Z 24-120 mm f/4 S

A series of compact prime lenses:

  • Nikkor Z DX 24 mm f/1.7
  • Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8
  • Nikkor Z 28 mm f/2.8 SE
  • Nikkor Z 28 mm f/2.8
  • Nikkor Z 40 mm f/2
  • Nikkor Z 40 mm f/2 SE

The f/1.2 S line of ultra-fast primes. These also feature almost identical size and weight and all have the same 82mm filter size:

  • Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.2 S
  • Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.2 S
  • Nikkor Z 85 mm f/1.2 S

The f/1.4 line of fast primes designed for hybrid (photo/video) shooters. These lenses have characteristic rendering instead of perfect aberration control as implemented in the S-line lenses:

  • Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.4
  • Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.4

The f/1.8 S line of primes known for superior image quality:

  • Nikkor Z 20 mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 24 mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 35 mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 50 mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 85 mm f/1.8 S
  • Nikkor Z 135 mm f/1.8 S Plena

Premium super-telephoto lens line. All of these lenses have the same control scheme and the same set of lens control buttons:

  • Nikkor Z 400 mm f/2.8 TC VR S (integrated 1.4x teleconverter)
  • Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S
  • Nikkor Z 600 mm f/4 TC VR S (integrated 1.4x teleconverter)
  • Nikkor Z 600 mm f/6.3 VR S PF
  • Nikkor Z 800 mm f/6.3 VR S PF

Teleconverters

Thumb
TC-2.0x teleconverter
  • Nikon Z TC-1.4x
  • Nikon Z TC-2.0x

The Nikon teleconverters are only compatible with select Nikon Z lenses. They cannot be used in conjunction with the FTZ adapter.[33][34] Z-mount teleconverters cannot be mounted on top of each other.

The following lenses are compatible with the Nikon teleconverters:[35]

  • Nikkor Z 70-180 mm f/2.8
  • Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S
  • Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.55.6 VR S
  • Nikkor Z 180-600 mm f/5.66.3 VR
  • Nikkor Z 400 mm f/2.8 TC VR S
  • Nikkor Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S
  • Nikkor Z 600 mm f/4 TC VR S
  • Nikkor Z 600 mm f/6.3 VR S
  • Nikkor Z 800 mm f/6.3 VR S

Mount adapters

Thumb
Nikon F to Z-mount adapter, first generation
  • Nikon FTZ: The FTZ supports F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras. Metering, IBIS and Exif metadata are supported with any F-mount lens, including manual lenses, while autofocus is only supported with AF-I, AF-S and AF-P lenses. Variable autofocus speed for video shooting is only supported with AF-P and select AF-S lenses. The FTZ adds 30.5 mm to the length of the attached lens, which is the difference in flange distance between the Nikon F-mount (46.5 mm) and the Z-mount (16 mm).
  • Nikon FTZ II: Same performance as the FTZ,[36] but without the integrated tripod foot for easier vertical shooting with the Z 9.[37]
  • RED Z to PL Adapter Pack: Enables the use of PL-mount lenses on Z-mount RED Digital Cinema cameras. Cannot be used with Nikon Z mirrorless cameras.[23]
  • RED Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack: Integrates an electronic ND feature. Cannot be used with Nikon Z mirrorless cameras.[23]

Nikon specifies F-mount lens compatibility as in the following table. F-mount teleconverters can be used on compatible lenses, but the Z-mount teleconverters may not be used in conjunction with the FTZ.[38][39] For details on the lens types, refer to Nikon F-mount.

More information Lens type, Focus ...
Lens type Focus Exposure mode Metering mode IBIS Exif data
Autofocus
AF-P
AF-S
AF-I
Autofocus All modes (shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual and program modes) All modes (matrix, center-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering) Yes Yes
G- and D-type (without motor) Manual focus
(with focus confirmation)
Other AF
(screw drive)
Manual focus
(with focus peaking)
Manual focus
AI-P
PC-E
AI
PC
(no CPU contacts)
Aperture priority and manual No highlight-weighted metering Focal length and maximum aperture need to be entered manually
Pre-AI Not officially supported.
Close

Third-party lenses and adapters

Numerous manufacturers offer purely manual lenses and lens mount adapters for the Z-mount. These do not interface electronically to the camera and do not support autofocus or automatic control of the aperture. Some manufacturers offer lenses and adapters with full electronic functionality (autofocus, automatic aperture control, Exif metadata etc.).[40] Third-party lenses and adapters often rely on reverse engineering the electronic protocol of a lens mount and might not work properly on new cameras or firmware versions. However, Cosina Voigtländer,[41] Sigma[42] and Tamron[43] licensed the mount from Nikon, enabling full compatibility.

Autofocus lenses

List by official designation and sources for the table below:

  • 7Artisans 27 mm f/2.8 AF (DX)[44][45]
  • 7Artisans 50 mm f/1.8 AF[46][47]
  • 7Artisans AF 85mm f/1.8 Z[48][49]
  • AstrHori 27 mm f/2.8 AF (DX)[50][51][52]
  • AstrHori 85 mm f/1.8 AF[53][54]
  • Laowa 10 mm f/2.8 Zero-D[55]
  • Meike 33/1.4 AF (DX)[56][57]
  • Meike 35/2 AF STM[58]
  • Meike 50/1.8 AF[59]
  • Meike 55/1.4 AF (DX)[60]
  • Meike 55/1.8 Pro AF STM[61]
  • Meike 85/1.4 AF STM[62]
  • Meike 85/1.8 AF STM[63]
  • Meike 85/1.8 AF STM Pro[64][65]
  • Sigma DC DN 16/1.4 (DX)[66]
  • Sigma DC DN 30/1.4 (DX)
  • Sigma DC DN 56/1.4 (DX)
  • Sirui 16 mm f/1.2 Sniper (DX)[67]
  • Sirui 20 mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic (DX)[68]
  • Sirui 23 mm f/1.2 Sniper (DX)[69]
  • Sirui 33 mm f/1.2 Sniper (DX)[69]
  • Sirui 40 mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic (DX)[70][71]
  • Sirui 56 mm f/1.2 Sniper (DX)[69]
  • Sirui 75 mm f/1.2 Sniper (DX)[67]
  • Sirui 85 mm f/1.4 Aurora[72][73]
  • Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (model A063)[74]
  • Tamron 35-150 f/22.8 Di III VXD (model A058)[75][76]
  • Tamron 50-400mm f/4.56.3 Di III VC VXD (model A067)[77][78][79]
  • Tamron 70-300mm f/4.56.3 Di III RXD (model A047)[80][81]
  • Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (model F072)[82][83]
  • Tamron 150-500 mm f/56.7 Di III VC VXD (model A057)[84]
  • TTArtisan AF 23mm f/1.8 Z (DX)[85][86]
  • TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8 Z (DX)[87]
  • TTArtisan AF 32mm f/2.8 Z
  • TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 Z (DX)[88][89]
  • TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 II Z (DX)[90]
  • TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 Z (DX)[91]
  • TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 Z[92]
  • Viltrox AF 16/1.8 Z[93][94]
  • Viltrox AF 20/2.8 Z[95]
  • Viltrox AF 24/1.8 Z[96]
  • Viltrox AF 28/1.8 Z[97]
  • Viltrox AF 35/1.8 Z[98]
  • Viltrox AF 40/2.5 Z Air[99][100]
  • Viltrox AF 50/1.8 Z
  • Viltrox AF 85/1.8 Z[101]
  • Viltrox AF 13/1.4 Z (DX)
  • Viltrox AF 23/1.4 Z (DX)
  • Viltrox AF 25/1.7 Z Air (DX)[102][103][104][105]
  • Viltrox AF 27/1.2 Z PRO (DX)
  • Viltrox AF 33/1.4 Z (DX)
  • Viltrox AF 35/1.7 Z Air (DX)[106][107]
  • Viltrox AF 50/2 Z (DX?)[108]
  • Viltrox AF 56/1.4 Z (DX)[109][110]
  • Viltrox AF 56/1.7 Z Air (DX)[111][112]
  • Viltrox AF 75/1.2 Z PRO (DX)[113]
  • Viltrox AF 135/1.8 Z LAB[108]
  • Yongnuo YN23mm F1.4Z DA DSM WL Pro (DX)[114]
  • Yongnuo YN33mm F1.4Z DA DSM WL Pro (DX)[115][116]
  • Yongnuo YN35mm F1.8Z DA DSM WL[117]
  • Yongnuo YN35mm F2Z DF DSM[118]
  • Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8Z DF DSM[119]
  • Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8Z DA DSM (DX)[120]
  • Yongnuo YN56mm F1.4Z DA DSM WL Pro (DX)[121][122]
  • Yongnuo YN85mm F1.8Z DF DSM[123]

Autofocus/electronic adapters

  • For Canon EF lenses
    • The Fringer EF-NZ adapter provides full electronic integration (autofocus, image stabilization, aperture control).[124] The EF-NZ II revision removes the tripod foot for better handling with vertical grips (much like the FTZ II) and adds weather-sealing.[125]
    • The Techart TZC-01 also provides full electronic integration.[126]
    • The Viltrox EF-Z adapter appears identical to the Fringer EF-NZ.[127]
    • The Viltrox EF-Z2 has a built-in 0.7x focal reducer ("speed booster").[128]
    • The Megadap EFTZ21 provides full electronic integration and autofocus, with an extra configurable control ring and a lens function button (L-Fn).
  • For Contax G lenses
    • The Techart TZG-01 adapts Contax G lenses with mechanical autofocus to Nikon Z. The Contax G system is somewhat similar to the older screw-drive Nikon AF system, but unlike the Nikon system, Contax G lenses do not have a manual focus ring. This makes Contax G unusually difficult to adapt to mirrorless cameras. It is not compatible with the Nikon Z9 and Z8.[129]
  • For Fujifilm X mount lenses
    • The Boryoza XF-Z adapts Fujinon XF lenses with autofocus to Nikon Z.
  • For Leica M mount lenses
    • The Fotodiox LM-NKZ-PRN is another autofocus Leica M to Z adapter.[130]
    • The Megadap MTZ11 contains a focusing helicoid with 6.5 mm of extension which is used for autofocus. This range is sufficient to cover the full focusing range of lenses up to around 50 mm focal length.[131]
    • The Techart TZM-01 is similar to the Megadap MTZ11 and enables autofocus with M-mount lenses.[132]
    • The Techart TZM-02 is a refined version of the TZM-01 with better autofocus performance.[133]
    • The TTArtisan M-Z 6-Bit adapter doesn't provide autofocus, but has a reader for Leica's 6-bit lens codes. This makes 6-bit coded lenses behave like Ai-P lenses on the FTZ, except with no aperture control (as rangefinder lenses use pre-set apertures): EXIF data is automatically recorded, IBIS is set to the correct focal length and focus confirmation is supported.[134]
  • For Nikon F-mount lenses
    • The Viltrox NF-Z is largely identical to Nikon's FTZ adapter, both in function and form. Like the FTZ, autofocus does not function with screw-drive AF/AF-D lenses.[135]
    • The MonsterAdapter LA-FZ1 is the first adapter that allows F-mount screw-driven AF lenses to be used on Z cameras with full autofocus. Showcased at CP+ 2025.[136]
  • For Sony E-mount lenses
    • The Fotodiox Pro Fusion SNE-NKZ adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization, as well as lens function button support.
    • The Megadap ETZ11 is similar to the Techart TZE-01/02 and adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization support. In contrast to the Techart adapter, the ETZ11 can be mounted on the Z50 and Zfc.[6]
    • The Megadap ETZ21 and ETZ21 Pro are improved versions of the ETZ11, and provide full function E-mount support, including autofocus, image stabilization, full-time manual focus, and support for programmable lens buttons and aperture rings.
    • The Meike Mount Adapter ETZ is compatible with a wide range of Sony, Tamron, Sigma and Meike lenses with Sony E-mount, and supports autofocus, aperture control, EXIF and image stabilization.[137]
    • The Techart TZE-01/TZE-02 allows mounting Sony E-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras with full electronic integration. This adapter cannot be mounted on the Z50 or the Zfc.[138]
    • The Viltrox E-Z AF Lens Mount Adapter adapts E-mount lenses with autofocus and full electronic integration. Also supports adapter firmware upgrades.[139]

Accessories

Summarize
Perspective

Nikon Z cameras use the same iTTL flash system as Nikon DSLRs, which remains fully backward compatible and with third-party flashes and flash transmitters.

The Z9 and Z8 use the same circular 10-pin accessory port (for a remote shutter release, external GPS receiver etc.) as previous "pro-grade" Nikons, while the Z5/6/7 use the rectangular 8-pin accessory port introduced with the D90 and used on most other Nikon DSLRs since. The Z30/50/fc do not have an accessory port.

Most Z cameras use the same batteries of their "peer" DSLRs:[140]

  • The Nikon Z5, Z6 and Z7 series use EN-EL15/a/b/c batteries, which were introduced in 2010 with the Nikon D7000.
    The Z8 does not officially support the original EN-EL15 battery, only the subsequent a/b/c versions (although the "Li-ion20" variant of the EN-EL15 does work in practice[141]).
    In-camera charging using USB-C is only compatible with EN-EL15b/c batteries.[142]
  • The Nikon Z9 uses EN-EL18/a/b/c/d batteries, introduced with the Nikon D4. In-camera charging using USB-C is available from the EN-EL18b onwards (introduced in 2017).[143]
  • Only the Nikon Z50, Z50II, Z30 and Zfc use a new battery type, the EN-EL25 / EN-EL25a. Previous entry-level DSLRs like the D5600 or D3500 used the EN-EL14.

Battery grips are available for several models:[144]

  • The MB-N10 is compatible with the Nikon Z5, Z6, Z6II, Z7 and Z7II, but is purely a battery grip with no vertical controls.
  • The MB-N11 is only compatible with the Nikon Z6II and Z7II and adds vertical controls.
  • The MB-N12 for the Nikon Z8 also has vertical controls.
  • The MB-N14 for the Nikon Z6III (also compatible with Z6II and Z7II) also has vertical controls.

Nikon does not offer grips for the Z50II, Z50, Z30, Zfc and Zf.

The MC-N10 is a remote-control grip for all Z cameras with USB-C (the first-generation Z50 is the sole camera to not use USB-C).[145] It connects through a USB-C cable to the camera and replicates the right-hand controls of the camera body. It is designed for film applications and uses an ARRI rosette-type mount.[146]

Table of Z-mount lenses

Summarize
Perspective

This table contains the specifications for all Nikon Z lenses, as well as third-party autofocus lenses. Collecting all specifications for third-party lenses, including manual focus ones, isn't feasible due to the large number of brands producing a great variety of such lenses.

More information Brand, Focal length ...
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See also

References

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