Background
This is by no means a first wide angle lens for the Nikon Z system, as there was already a 14-30mm released. That one is not optimized for video shooting as it lacks a power zoom and lens stabilization (only relevant to cameras without IBIS).
It is also much larger as the lens has to be able to cover the FX sensor size and it is a constant aperture. The 12-28mm has a variable aperture as well as the need to only cover the DX sensor size.
I usually don’t do this, but the lens is so new, that there may not be a lot of places out there with technical specifications.
- Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
- Angle of view: 122°-83°
- Minimum focus distance: 0.19 meters
- Maximum magnification ratio: 0.21x
- Diaphragm blades: 7
- Filter size: 72mm
- Weight: 186 grams
- Dimensions: 64.5 x 83.5 millimeters
- Mount: Nikon Z
Here are some of the features and benefits of the Nikon Z-mount 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens:
- Ultra-wide-angle zoom range: The lens covers a wide-angle focal length range of 12-28mm (with an effective field of view on DX cameras of 18-42mm), making it a good choice for a variety of shooting situations, including landscapes, architecture, and group portraits.
- Variable f/3.5-5.6 aperture: The variable aperture range provides for a small and light zoom lens even with the wide angle.
- Close-up capability: The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.19 meters and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.21x, making it well-suited for close-up photography.
- Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization: The VR image stabilization system helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharper images, even when shooting handheld in low-light conditions. Possibly between 4.5 and 5 stops of stabilization are possible on cameras like the Z30, Z50 and Z fc that have no sensor stabilization.
- Power-zoom: The lens features a power-zoom mechanism that allows for smooth and quiet zooming, making it a good choice for video recording.
- Compact and lightweight design: The lens is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and use.
Overall, the Nikon Z-mount 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens is a versatile and well-rounded ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that is a good choice for both still photography and videography.
Specifications were gathered using Google Bard AI and customized by us here at BestLightPhotoBLOG. Not all information may be accurate as Google Bard AI is still in Beta.
Let’s get into the meat of the review and see if this lens is a worthy Z mount lens!
Disclosure – images were post processed to my liking and in various styles. Some were processed from RAW and others may be out of camera JPG.
Handling/Size/Weight/Build
The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of weight. It feels light. Light due most likely from the majority plastic construction.
It is internally zooming as well as focusing. This is great if yo intend to use the lens on a gimbal as the weight shift will be minimal and not throw off your center.
One big fear I had before even receiving the lens was the power zoom. I’ve used power zooms in the past and never fell in love with the functioning. It was either too slow going through the focal ranges or it had definite stops at pre-determined focal lengths.
Z 12-28 lens is not this. You can definitely tell it is a power zoom, but I never felt it got in the way of shooting or video recording. It appears to be well thought out and functions as one would want for both video and stills applications.
Weather Sealed
Not sure of the weather sealing, but it might survive a few drops from a light shower. However, given the price tag, not sure I would risk this lens in precipitous weather. From what I can find, there is mention of dust and drip resistance – but I would guess it is not up to the level of an S line lens.
Please make your own decision on what you feel is an acceptable risk on weather sealing claims and the conditions you will be shooting in.
Image Quality
So here is what most want to know. Yes, the lens is sharp!
Images speak louder than any of my words, so please judge the results I’ve been able to get from this lens.
I’ve no complaints about this lens sharpness or rendering. Contrast is very nice, colors are true to the scene.
Focusing
Focus is competent on this lens. It is fast and accurate. Given the aperture range of the lens and focal length, accuracy should never be an issue as the depth of field should be generous and deep, even at 12mm and f/3.5 (depending on the focus distance, obviously).
VR (Vibration Reduction Stabilization)
This lens has VR built in. It is claimed to be 4.5 to 5 stops. I find no issue with believing this claim. For stills or video, it works well. Especially in video, I find that it makes for a smooth panning and tilting movements as well as softening out the jitters or micro movements when walking while recording video.
Bottom Line
Wide angle lenses are not something that we use a lot, but they certainly can be fun to use in the right circumstances. We’ve used other wide angle lenses in the past and most have been very high quality. In the land of DX (APS-C), Fujifilm XF 10-24/4 OIS lens was a great performer on x-mount. The major downside of it was its size.
Adapting f-mount lenses to Z bodies is also another option that can be explored if you want to stay Nikon. One of our favorites with a review of it coming soon will be the 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 VR AF-P.
Another fun lens is the Voigtlander 12mm f/5.6 II m-mount lens for Leica that we reviewed on the M Typ 240.
All the wide angle lenses have special characteristics that you can use to your advantage. Given that the depth of field is deep, you can reliably use zone focusing, not fear a slight misfocus situation ruining a shot.
Shooting at 10-12mm rectilinear (corrected from major distortion and not a fisheye view) lens requires you to look at the scene and subject in a slightly different way as to give it a proper perspective and have a composition that works to the strength of the optic.
Special care should be taken with objects at the edges, in particular, when the camera and lens are not shot straight on. That slight tilt up or down can really skew the edges and make things realistic nature look too distorted.
Bottom Line = Highly Recommend. This lens will need to be used for a bit and understood before you can really get the most out of it. Once you do, though, it can serve you well and be another awesome tool in the bag when needed.
BestLightPhoto BLOG 
Hello, Andrew and Dani, it was good to come across your site for various reviews. I’m considering between a zfc and an om5 and I wonder if you could comment on my understanding.
The pure IQ, dynamic range and noise from zfc will be much better than om5. However, even if I have the steadiest of hands, the om5 will have at least a stop advantage because of ibis over zfc.
Would you also be able to comment on how a lens like the dx 16-50 might compare with Panasonic 12-35 ii? Would those be pretty much similar in terms of bokeh, separation considering one is a smaller sensor with brighter 2.8 aperture and other bigger sensor with darker aperture?
Thank you.. Mahesh
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I don’t know if I would say that the Z fc would be “much” better in IQ and dynamic range. The m43 sensors in the newest generation are great. Depending on your use, they may be enough. Where I see the biggest benefits for APS-C over the m43 is in the noise in the shadows in post processing in shadow recovery.
IBIS on Oly cameras is top notch. With that being said, the VR capable lenses for the Nikon Z mount are also very good. The 12-28/16-50/50-250 DX lenses all have VR and they are superb. You’d miss out on having stabilization for prime lenses or other FX lenses in Z mount that do not have it (Z 24-120/4 for example). I will say though that I have not really missed not having stabilization on the lenses, just have to remember to use the hand holding rule to ensure the shutter speed is a reciprocal of the focal length.
Now, comparing the Panasonic 12-35/2.8 to the Z 16-50/3.5-5.6…..with the understanding that the P12-25 is a flagship/”pro” lens and the 16-50 is a kit lens…I certainly can tell a difference and as you mentioned the Panasonic is a constant f/2.8. The Z 16-50 in good light is going to hold it’s own, but the micro contrast, sharpness and acuity is probably still going to be an advantage toward the Panasonic. Will most be able to tell? Not really.
My m43 kit is a lot smaller than it used to be (now just an EM1.2, O 12-100/4 and 75-300/4.8-6.7 II). I’ve also complete gotten rid of my Fuji kit (X-Pro2, primes and zooms) and gone APS-C with Nikon. I just like what the 20mp sensor does, and I can get small primes for it that are very good. My Fuji itch was to hold me over until I could afford a Leica rangefinder – which I was lucky enough to get a good deal on a used M240.
Starting from nothing – I would still choose the Nikon kit. Secondary kit, m43 has a lot of value for the money. The biggest thing that has Nikon in limbo for a lot is to see how well they support the DX lens lineup and if they will bring a flagship DX camera to Z mount. Lots of people are waiting to see if they bring the equivalent of a D500 from the DSLR to the mirrorless side.
I already think that they have done a good job on DX lenses. Yes, a lot of them are kit lenses and “superzooms” but the DX 24/1.7 is promising as is the 18-140.
If they bring out a smaller 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/2 (they may think the 40mm f/2 already addresses this) and an 85mm f/2 or f/2.8 that is small and light – that would make a lot of DX users super happy.
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Hello, thank you for taking time to reply in detail. My view on m43 and APSC come from the fact that I have used Fuji without having to do much processing to get the “best/good enough” out of them, in fact just by making simple process on jpeg files. Their new lenses like 18/1.4 are amazing.
I have always had a love hate with m43. I like the form factor (mostly except G9 and OM-1) and the small lenses. However, I do not feel happy when there are scenes with a bit wider dynamic range and things may have a washed-out look with highlights. Also, most of the best lenses are as big as APSC. E.g. I love Olympus 17/1,2 but is similar in size to the Fuji I mentioned.
I do not have anything at the moment, after having a number of different brands including an M10-R which I stupidly sold off!
I have now ordered a brand new Sony ZV-E1 with the kit lens because of a good bargain price that I found on ebay. I always had a fascination towards a lower count full frame sensor and it is very compact and light-weight. It does not have a bigger grip like A7iv, which was uncomfortable for my smallish hands. The only con is there is no EVF but I will see how I get on with that, without having to wear eyeglasses 🙂
I do plan to get a black ZFc from Nikon as I am really tempted by the looks of that and the new 24/1.7 lens. – Also exploring new lenses keeps me happy. I have to accept that I enjoy the gear aspect more than the photography.
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True, m43 does struggle in dynamic range. However, I will say that I feel that you have to look at a few things to do an apples to apples compare of the APS-C sensors versus the 4/3 sensors.
a higher mp sensor will have more data and the engineering behind the processing engine makes a difference.
I think that, more than anything will show the differences you are noticing. Fuji does a better job in the imaging pipeline than m43 and I also think that the higher mp sensor provides more data.
Nikon falls in the same category. While the Z fc has a 2omp sensor (same as the current Olympus sensors), the Nikon engineering pipeline is one of my favorites and shows when post processing – even from JPG. I love the Z fc and I think you’ll love it too.
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