NIKON Z 28-75MM F/2.8

Sharpness (centre)

Considering the Z 28-75mm isn’t one of Nikon’s premium S-line lenses, centre-frame sharpness is sensational at all focal lengths and apertures through to f/16. Corner sharpness is much less remarkable, and is borderline disappointing wide open.

Fringing (at f/8)

Colour fringing remains absolutely negligible at all focal lengths and apertures, just becoming barely visible at 28mm while using narrower apertures.

Distortion (at f/8)

Usually Nikon Z cameras auto correct distortions for JPEG and Raw files. However, by testing the lens on a newly released Z 9 body, which didn’t yet have a firmware update to correct distortion from the equally new Z 28-75mm, we were able to see the lens’s true degree of distortion. There’s barrel distortion at 28mm, which transitions to moderate pincushioning at 50mm and longer.

N-photo verdict

The Nikon Z 28-75mm f/2.8 is an absolutely stunning lens. What you’re getting here is a small, lightweight, super sharp (centrally, at least) optic that gives you a precious bit of extra reach at the expense of less width. The 24-70mm S lens boasts slightly better corner sharpness, but otherwise we’d put the two on a par optically. So if the slightly quirky focal length works for you, we would recommend the 28-75mm f/2.8 without hesitation – especially at virtually half the price!