Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Lens Officially Announced

Nikon has recently announced the latest addition to their Nikkor line of lenses, the Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR. This is an ultra-wide power zoom lens, designed to cater to the needs of content creators, vloggers, and live streamers. The Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR is a versatile ultra-wide zoom that has been built with a compact design, consistent power zoom control, and a flexible focal length range.

Pre-order links:

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Lens: $356.95 at B&H, Adorama.

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Lens Key Specifications:

  • Lens Mount: Nikon Z
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 12 to 28mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 18 to 42mm)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 to 5.6
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16 to 25
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 7.5″ / 19 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.21x
  • Optical Design: 12 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Filter Size: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.5″ / 72 x 63.5 mm
  • Weight: 7.2 oz / 205 g

As a content creator, having the right gear can be the difference between producing average content and content that stands out. The Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR has been designed to cater to the needs of content creators, vloggers, and live streamers, providing them with an essential tool to create high-quality content. This lens is perfect for single-person productions, day-in-the-life vlogs, and other styles of vlogging and content creation.

One of the key features of the Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR is its versatile ultra-wide zoom. The lens has a highly useful and flexible focal length range that helps keep you in the frame while also showing your surroundings. The 12mm end of the zoom range is ideal for gaining immersive and broad field views as well as for recording yourself within the scene from arm’s length. On the other hand, the 28mm end, while still wide, lets you punch into the scene for a more selective view while still retaining context of the scene. Built for use on APS-C/DX-format cameras, this lens has an 18-42mm equivalent focal length range.

The Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR has been designed with content creators in mind, and as such, it features a stabilized power zoom that is small and light, making it easy to hold out at arms length. The zoom mechanism is powered by a linear motor, which can be operated using a ring on the lens, controls on a camera, the zoom buttons on Nikon’s ML-L7 Bluetooth remote, or the SnapBridge app running on a PC or smartphone. The zoom speed can be adjusted to one of eleven settings, providing the user with the flexibility to create the desired effect. Focus is conducted by an STM stepper motor, which ensures that the lens focuses quickly and accurately.

The lens has a focus ring in addition to the zoom ring and features sealing at all the joints and seams, making it resistant to dust and moisture. This makes it an ideal lens to take out in the field, even in challenging weather conditions. The Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR can focus down as close as 19cm (7.5″) and features a 67mm filter thread. It contains 12 elements in 11 groups, ensuring high sharpness and well-controlled distortion throughout the zoom range.

The Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR will be available from May at a recommended price of $359.95. This is an affordable price for a lens that is packed with features that content creators, vloggers, and live streamers will find useful. With its compact design, consistent power zoom control, and flexible focal length range, the Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm F3.5-5.6 PZ VR is an excellent investment for anyone looking to create high-quality content.

Press Release:

IMMERSIVE VIEWS AND CREATIVE FREEDOM: THE NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR POWER-ZOOM ULTRA-WIDE ANGLE LENS IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO NIKON’S GROWING TOOLKIT FOR CREATORS

Nikon’s Super Lightweight Wide Angle Lens Puts a Variable Power Zoom and Amazing Image Quality Within Reach

MELVILLE, NY (April 18, 2023) – Today, Nikon Inc. has announced the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR, the ultra-wide angle lens made for content creators and vloggers. This latest lightweight lens is the widest NIKKOR Z DX-format lens yet1, and has the added benefit of a power zoom (PZ) for more creative versatility and great looking video. The 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is designed to capture sharp and immersive content that lets you get more of what matters in the frame; more friends, more expansive landscapes and more freedom to create without limits.

Featuring an extremely versatile zoom range from an ultra-wide angle 12mm to 28mm2, this lens is a must-have for any vlogger or creator who wants to get the whole story in the shot, and dynamically change-up the frame smoothly and consistently. The ultra-wide angle is also great for everything from larger-than-life landscapes, grand interiors, tabletop photos and group selfies where no one gets left out. Surprisingly small and light for such a wide zoom, the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm weighs only approximately 7.3 oz, making it easy to hold with an extended arm. It’s perfectly mated to lightweight cameras such as the ultra-compact and capable Nikon Z 30, Z 50 or the retro inspired Z fc.

“Nikon is committed to equipping content creators with the tools they need to make videos and photos that look great, and we are very excited about this latest addition to our growing system of creator-centric cameras and lenses,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “Whether you’re vlogging or just want a super-lightweight and affordable wide angle for landscapes or street photography, the NIKKOR Z 12-28mm is the lens you have been waiting for.”

The Lens Made for Content Creators

The NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is the first NIKKOR Z lens utilizing a power zoom with linear drive, providing smooth optical zoom and other thoughtful features for creators to enhance and simplify their video recording experience. The power zoom function easily and effortlessly zooms in close to a subject, or zooms out to truly establish the scene. To suit any shooting style, the zoom can be activated by twisting the customizable zoom ring on the barrel, with designated buttons on the camera body, or when using the ML-L7 Remote Control3 (included in the Z 30 Creator’s Accessory Kit). The zoom can also be controlled remotely through a PC or phone with the SnapBridge app4. Additionally, the zoom rate can be selected from 11 speed settings, within the range of 0.55 to 36 seconds, for maximum consistency when reframing your shot or adding dramatic creative flair.

Autofocus is sharp, reliable and fast, working flawlessly with the eye-detection AF in Nikon cameras to keep focus on you or your subject. The lens features an STM motor drive, making it extremely silent when focusing, so viewers won’t be disturbed by the sound of camera operation. What’s more, when transitioning to a close-up of a subject, the 12-28mm has a very close minimum focus distance of only 0.19 m (0.62 ft). This lets users seamlessly move the focus from their face to a product in-hand, while the image stays sharp.

Realizing that the best content often happens in real time, the lens is stabilized with Vibration Reduction (VR) that provides an effect equivalent to a shutter speed 4.5 stops faster5. This function makes it easy to capture run-and-gun footage without the distracting camera shake or shoot in low-light with minimal blur. Because of its small size and versatile angle of view, this lens is also well-suited for creating steady footage with gimbals.

Main Features of the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR:

  • Ultra-wide angle lens is ideal for vlogging and wide establishing shots but also landscapes, interior photography and city streets.
  • Power zoom function provides smooth, consistent optical zoom that’s fully customizable with varying speeds, which can be engaged with camera buttons, zoom ring or used remotely.
  • VR Image Stabilization reduces camera shake with up to 4.5 stops of compensation for stable video and sharp images.
  • Close minimum focusing distance of 0.62 ft and maximum reproduction ratio of 0.21x allow for sharp and detailed shots of products, flowers, nature and other intricate details.
  • Ultra-compact and lightweight design makes it easy to use and carry anywhere.
  • The body of the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm has been designed carefully to deliver dust- and drip-resistant performance,6 with a sealing that prevents any dust or water droplets from entering the lens.

Price and Availability

The new NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR will be available in May 2023 for a suggested retail price of $359.95*. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including other NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire collection of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.

  1. As of April 18, 2023.
  2. Angle of view is equivalent to that of an 18-42mm lens in Full-frame/FX-format.
  3. Camera magnification buttons and 11 speed functionality supported on the Z 30 and the Z fc at time of initial release.
  4. These functions will be supported by subsequent software update.
  5. Based on CIPA Standard; this value is achieved when attached to an APS-C size/DX-format camera with the camera’s VR function set. to “NORMAL”, and when zoom is set to the maximum telephoto position.
  6. Thorough dust- and drip-resistance is not guaranteed in all situations or under all conditions.