Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

What do you think?

Do you want add your opinion? You do it by joining JuzaPhoto, it is easy and free!

There is more: by registering you can create your personal page, publish photos, receive comments, join discussions and you can use all the features of JuzaPhoto. With more than 259000 members, there is space for everyone, from the beginner to the professional.

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Maotaz

sent on 04 Agosto 2025

Pros: Excellent level for construction, lightness, internal zoom, quietness, autofocus, effective stabilization.

Cons: There is no reference to the focal length barrel in use. Comes WITHOUT lens hood.

Opinion: Optics that amazed me for its workmanship, sharpness, portability. Used for street use, it guarantees largely satisfactory results. The autofocus is fast, precise and very quiet. Stabilization does its job well. I hate powerzooms but this made me change my mind because it doesn't seem so at all, the zoom is fluid and fast, completely internal so without annoying extensions. I find it inconceivable that NIKON has not indicated on the barrel the intermediate focal lengths (14, 16, 18, 24), apart from the two extremes that are obviously intuitive, on the other hand it must be said that with the latest firmware the display of the focal length in use appears on the display. The same goes for the non-existent lens hood. As if to say that marketing has now taken over the quality of service of a noble brand.

Beato Angelico

sent on 07 Giugno 2025

Pros: Weight, size, image quality, flare resistance, focal range, weather sealed

Cons: The absence of the 10 mm wide side is sometimes felt

Opinion: On Nikon Z APSC represents the only alternative to have an ultra-wide-angle zoom, fortunately it is an excellent alternative. The main advantage of this lens is its size and weight, which allow you to always carry it with you, since it takes up very little space and weighs 200g. In addition to being comfortable, the lens also has excellent image quality, making it perfectly usable at all focal lengths already at full aperture. Many complain about the plastic mount, but the lens is tropicalized and excellently built, it does not extend with the zoom and it has never given me problems. As for the power zoom, it is almost perfect, fast and accurate, its zoom speed can still be customized. The only note, since the focal range on the lens is not marked, the only way we have to know what focal length we are at is to look on the screen. It wouldn't be a problem if Nikon hadn't prevented the Z50 from displaying ISO and focal length together, but that's more of a camera problem. The focal range is almost perfect and could be used as the only lens, since it starts from 18 mm equivalent to reach 42 mm equivalent. The only note I feel like making is that for a zoom of this type perhaps it would have been better to start from 10 mm. Every now and then the absence of the equivalent 15/16 mm is felt. The fact is that there are no alternatives in the system, except by veering towards full-frame lenses. Vote 9

Massimo Bracchi

sent on 01 Maggio 2024

Pros: Lightweight, accurate construction, sharpness, power zoom.

Cons: Plastic attachment, no lens hood.

Opinion: Purchased primarily for my video production business, I needed a motorized zoom lens to fit into my Z 50, which I use with the video gimbal and monopod. I can only say good things about the lens, stabilized when needed, the motorized zoom easily managed by touch directly on the camera monitor, allows you to make stable and continuous zooms. I would have preferred a wider range, let's say a 12-35mm, at least reducing the wide-angle a little, but these are completely personal needs. If anyone wants to see the result of the above, here is a link to one of my works using (as a third camera), precisely the z50 with the 12-28: https://youtu.be/80zfC81v-2U?si=RleWwRuoXjP-iHM0

MassiCricco

sent on 14 Gennaio 2024

Pros: Sharpness, light weight, portability, stabilizer (4.5 EV), zoom smoothness, AF speed

Cons: Lack of lens hood

Opinion: I recently bought this beautiful lens for my Nikon Z50, in order to replace the now outdated Nikkor AF-P 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, which did not convince me on the Nikon Z. The new Nikkor 12-28 is a little gem for sharpness, at all focal lengths and with almost all apertures, portability and fluidity of zooming with the power zoom system, which in my opinion is very effective. The stabilizer is very useful and powerful: it allowed me to shoot handheld at 12mm at 1/2 second without any motion blur. The color rendition and contrast are also great. Too bad for the lack of the lens hood in the package which, like all Nikons, if purchased separately has an exaggerated cost. Fixed the problem with a compatible at 18 euros. Overall rating: 10!

CarloZanussi

sent on 20 Novembre 2023

Pros: Slight sharp contrast

Cons: No lens hood, variable diaphragm, but lightness has its price

Opinion: Excellent in everything, sharp and contrasty as needed, only in the most difficult light situations (highlights) it suffers a little. but everything recoverable in PP.la sharpness is very good at wide apertures and excellent from f\\8 up. they could put the lens hood in the box and it would have been perfect but combined with the Z30 it's fine così.la construction is totally plastic and needs to be careful in use. The front cap is excellent.

Sigmarco

sent on 12 Novembre 2023

Pros: Image quality, lightness, price

Cons: No lens hood, variable diaphragm

Opinion: Bought, sold, repented, bought back. This lens, for Nikon landscapers, is really good (of course it's also the only one). The image quality is impressive, I don't find any flaws in it. The weight is really ridiculous, well built even if made of plastic: in short, a really good lens, as Nikon has accustomed us. The only things I don't like are the lack of the standard lens hood, it costs 50€ + shipping costs to buy it separately (if they had made the lens cost 489 instead of 439 people bought it anyway and they were all happier, strange choices) and the variable diaphragm, I explain: it is not a con that it is variable in itself, but had it been consistent F4 it would have been much better and looking at what the market offers I doubt Nikon doesn't have the know-how to do it. In conclusion, however, a really good goal, look at the photos to believe it.