Nikon Z 24-70 vs 24-200 - Landscape Photography

I do a real world comparison of the Nikon Z 24-70 f/4 lens to the Nikon Z 24-200 lens for landscape photography. I've read and watched the technical reviews that note the slight softness of the 24-200 at wider apertures, but how does it look when used in the real world?
I head out and take the same composition at various focal lengths, then bring them back to the office to compare in Lightroom and see how the real world landscape photography images when compared.
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[@arindamnsit]

Great review !! I was thinking of buying a more expensive lens but now the 24-200 seems just right

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful! What other lens are you looking at?

[@Isidor0]

Hello, I have the Nikon Z6 and a Nikkor Z 24-200mm f4-f6.3 VR lens. Can you tell me what the sweet spot of this telephoto lens for sharper photos? Thank you.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Hello! Thank you for watching! I find the lens best up in the f/8, f/11, f/16 range aperture-wise. Which is where I tend to be with landscape photography most of the time. Probably just a little bit soft in the far corners at the 24mm side - but in my opinion only if you are really pixel-peeping. Great lens though and super versatile - especially if you are traveling or wanting to keep your camera bag from being too heavy.

[@CopyRightOC]

Well I think the images show that the 24-70 is better but the extra range of the 24-200 obviously is a huge advantage.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yeah - there always seems to be a trade-off somewhere! My standard carry these days has been a 14-30, 2-120, and 100-400, but I still keep the 24-200 for a highly versatile lens when I don’t want to do that 3 lens carry.

[@StephanKempchen]

It would be interesting to know how the 24-200 performs on an Z7, 45MP camera! I bet the s lens will perform much better.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I've used the 24-200 on the z7II (I tend to use a Z7II as my primary camera for almost all my landscape photography these days). I've found after using several different lenses that S lens as expected perform better. My standard carry now is a 14-30, 24-120, and 100-400. However, the 24-200mm does fine and gets acceptable results for me - so I still use it for trips where I want a camera, but photography isn't the focus of the trip, or if I am really trying to cut down on my load. I will also say, I have dabbled with using DxO Pure Raw to process 24-200 files which helps a bit. For what it is, I think the 24-200 is a pretty decent lens. (I've been playing with the new 28-400 recently as well!)

[@StephanKempchen]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I have the 24-70 f2.8, 24-120 f4 (great every day lens for city trips) 24-200 for hiking and 100-400 for wildlife. Now I’m looking for the 17-28 f2.8. I don’t like the lock mechanism on the 14-30. AND I try to save money for the Z8 in addition to my Z6II

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@StephanKempchen Nice lineup of lenses!! I've been really enjoying the 100-400. Hopefully you get that Z8!

[@hl666]

Maybe f8 comparison? f11 already diffraction and would expect little difference there.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I'll see what I can do - I feel like I might have tested that, but cut it out of the video - need to check some old footage! Thanks for the comment!

[@axle4565]

Hi, this is a little bit late but which one would you recommend, the 24-70 (cropping when the 70mm is not enough) to 24-200 on z6? Thanks!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

The 24-70 f/4 is going to get you better IQ. Have you considered a 24-120mm as in-between? It has better IQ than the 24-200mm and fits in well with my favorite setup of 14-30mm, 24-120mm, and 100-400mm to cover a big focal range with great IQ. And the 24-120mm can be a decent all-around lens, while still keeping high IQ. Hope that helps!

[@VSENAVESY]

I would like to compare Nikon Z 24-120 vs 24-200, and they are similar in price

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I don't have a 24-120 to take out, but from what I've read it sounds like it is a really good lens. Once my local camera shop gets some in to rent, there is a good chance I'll rent it for a bit to take it out and see how it compares. Thanks for the comment!

[@VSENAVESY]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I have already bought the 24-120s and I will say that it is an excellent all-round glass!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@VSENAVESY That's awesome to hear! It is definitely a lens I have my eye on!

[@neilmackey9626]

REALLY nice comparo, Jeffrey and just what I was looking for as I ponder whether I should stay with the 24-70 f/4 or go with the 24-200! LOL...loved the deer moving left to right in the background at the beginning of the video... 🙂 So, "apples to apples", comparing the 24mm-70mm range, your results pretty much speak for themselves. However, how have you found the 24-200 in those zoom ranges from 70mm to 200mm? Likes? Dislikes? I suppose some would say keep the 24-70 f/4, and for bigger zoom, go with a 70-200 instead of the 24-200. I know that there are few "do it all lenses" that knock it out of the park from one extreme to the other but for me, having ONE lens to cover a variety of scenarios is the way to go. I have the FTZii adapter and am trying to figure out if it's better to keep the 24-70 f/4 and then consider an F-mount zoom for the larger zooms. Kind of defeats the "one lens" idea I'm considering, though. Cheers!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thanks for watching! Glad you found the video helpful! In terms of pure image quality it is probably hard to beat a pairing of a 24-70 and then a 70-200. With that said - versatility can be important and even just how much size and weight do the lenses take up and how long (and far) are you carrying them are considerations as well. I have a 70-200 2.8 F mount lens and the FTZ adapter, but I still picked up the 24-200 to help fill that telephoto range at a good price and for the size and weight for carrying in a pack and cross-county. I haven't regretted it and almost never take my 70-200 out for landscape photography. And just today, I went out and wanted a super light load and just took my Z7ii and the 24-200 for the hike. The versatility it offers is just so amazing and I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. Hope that helps some!

[@neilmackey9626]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Lol...not to mention "lightening" the wallet or checking account as well! I found someone locally who has one and will be trying it out on my Z5 to see if I'll be making the switch. I had one of the 18-300 zooms on my former D7500. While it was nice to have as an "all in one", that sucker on the D7500 could be used as self defense in a cougar attack! While not quite so good at either extreme, pretty good in the mid-to-upper zoom range. And of course, on that crop sensor body, it was more like a 27mm-450mm...

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Being able to borrow it to check it out is a great option! I sometimes rent lenses to test something out if I don't have a friend with the lens. Let me know what you think after you give it a whirl. I think it is a super versatile lens!

[@suryadigitalabiramam5850]

Sir can i use Z 24-200 lens for wedding functions?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Hello! For weddings I would tend to want a faster lens, like a f/2.8. The faster lenses will work better in low-light situations. My go-to lenses for weddings or events are a 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. Hope that helps!

[@suryadigitalabiramam5850]

Thanking you for your kindly response and your answer

[@amjadtravels]

Can we have a video comparison❤

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Hello! What would you like to see - like how the lenses would work for video or something different. Thanks!

[@amjadtravels]

@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Yes, a sample test for both in action ...thanks for replying

[@PeterVladimir]

Have both this lens, but since I bought Z 24-200, I have not use Z 24-70 anymore.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I definitely use the 24-200 more these days than I do the 24-70. I've been happy with everything I've photographed with the 24-200. Such a versatile lens!

[@PeterVladimir]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Yes, it is. BTW, very good video, thx.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thank you for watching!

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@walkingmeditation61 Thanks! I'll try shooting more at F8. I've been super happy with the lens - so versatile!

[@greycanopysafari96]

Dude ! for real go to the point , wait to much talking

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Appreciate the feedback.