Best Nikon lenses for Beginners: Prime & Zoom Options Compared

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Which Nikon lenses are best for beginners?

Top options include the Nikon Z 40mm f/2, Z 50mm f/1.8 S, Z 24-70mm f/4 S, Z 24-120mm f/4 S and the compact Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake, with options for Z mirrorless and DSLR bodies.

• Best Nikon lens overall: AF-S Nikkor 24–70mm f/2.8E ED VR — Buy now
• Best Nikon lens for landscapes: AF-S Nikkor 14–24mm f/2.8G ED — Buy now
• Best Nikon superzoom: Nikon 28–300mm f/3.5–5.6G VR — Buy now
• Best Nikon portrait lens: AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G — Buy now
• Best Nikon 50mm lens: AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G — Buy now
• Best wide-angle prime lens: AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED — Buy now
• Best Nikon lens for wildlife: AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR — Buy now
• Best Nikon lens for sports: AF-S 180–400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR — Buy now

Best APS-C DX lenses for Nikon:

• Best cheap Nikon zoom: AF-S DX 16–85mm f/3.5–5.6G ED VR (APS-C) — Buy now
• Best standard zoom: Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16–80mm F2.8–4E ED VR (APS-C) — Buy now
• Best Nikon tele zoom: AF-P DX 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3 G ED VR (APS-C) — Buy now
• Best Nikon wide-angle zoom: AF-P DX 10–20mm f/4.5–5.6G VR (APS-C) — Buy now
• Best Nikon street lens: AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G (APS-C) — Buy now

Lenses for Full-Frame Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras (FX)

1. Nikon Z 40mm f/2 — Lightweight, affordable, and versatile, this is the perfect first lens for Nikon Z shooters. At $300, it’s a great way to explore prime lenses without breaking the bank.
2. Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S — A sharp, fast prime lens that’s ideal for portraits and landscapes. It’s one of the best lenses Nikon has ever made.
3. Nikon Z 24–70mm f/4 S — A fantastic kit lens that’s sharp and versatile. It’s often available at a discount when bundled with a camera.
4. Nikon Z 24–120mm f/4 S — A more expensive option, but it’s Nikon’s best do-it-all lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Lenses for Crop-Sensor Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras (DX)

1. Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 — A compact and affordable prime lens that’s perfect for everyday photography (it is a full-frame lens that also works well on DX bodies).
2. Nikon Z 18–140mm f/3.5–6.3 VR — A great zoom lens for beginners, offering a wide range of focal lengths.
3. Nikon Z 16–50mm f/3.5–6.3 VR — The standard kit lens for Nikon Z DX cameras. It’s small, sharp, and easy to use.

Lenses for Full-Frame Nikon DSLRs (FX)

1. Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G — A budget Nikon prime lens with excellent sharpness and low-light performance.
2. Nikkor 24–120mm f/4G VR — A versatile zoom lens that’s perfect for a wide range of photography styles.

Lenses for Crop-Sensor Nikon DSLRs (DX)

1. Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX — A fast, affordable prime lens that’s perfect for beginners.
2. Nikkor 16–80mm f/2.8–4E DX VR — A versatile zoom lens with excellent sharpness and low-light capabilities.

Compact Pancake Lens for Travel:

1. Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8

Final Thoughts

Which lens did you choose? Share your first Nikon lens in the comments!

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Photo by Boris Smokrovic on Unsplash

See also Best Nikon Camera for Photography Beginners, Best Full Frame Mirrorless Camera for Beginners Nikon, or test setups in the body-to-lens matcher.