NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm PZ VR | Wide-angle power zoom lens with image stabilization for APS-C size/DX format Z series mirrorless cameras | Nikon USA Model

I've long been an amateur photographer, having started with a 35 mm film Nikon FTN. So, there has been a learning curve to change to digital. Recently, I took the plunge to purchase a Nikon Z50ii with both kit lenses. It meets my needs and I like it, but I'm gradually upgrading my lenses to a moderately long zoom telephoto, a 105 mm macro, and now this 12-28 mm zoom (to replace the kit, 16-50 mm zoom). Although the 16-50 is quite small, light and satisfactory to me, the thought that for a modest price I could get even wider attracted me to this lens. In the attached photo, you can see a comparison of the field of view about 10 ft across a room from the same position. For scene shots of tall trees when it isn't possible to move backwards (e.g., in tropical forests), the expanded field of view is worthwhile to me. Otherwise, like all Nikkor lenses, the lens is solid and well-made (although involving "plastics"). The length of the lens doesn't change with focal length, and the motorized change of focal length is very smooth (desirable for video zooming). I'm used to seeing numbers for focal length on the lens barrel, but one must look at the camera display if one needs to know that. After about a month of use so far, this widest-angle zoom seems well worth its price to me.

Excellent lens for photographing canyons, cliffs, mountains and will even focus down to 11 inches for a semi-macro feature. I did not set it up to use the electronic zoom as it will drain the batteries faster. Sharp, clear images at all focal settings. A great bargain for the Nikon Z 50II !

I should not like this lens so much but I do. Solid, sharp, great wide angle walk around lens in good lighting, and honestly would love to see more power zoom lens options for that power zoom is great for my purposes.

I have this paired with a Z5. I don't mind losing the pixels to the dx format because I don't need large images, and in fact I appreciate the smaller file size. I love the light weight and small size. Zoom ring is super smooth. I had been using a Canon 10-22 with an adapter - a known good lens, but the IQ of this lens is better. I miss the few mm on the wide end, but really like the extra reach on the long end. A favorably trade-off. One of the reasons I wanted this lens was the in-camera distortion correction. It works very well but not all apps open the RAW files with the corrections applied. Photoshop Elements 2024 (PSE) does open with corrections, but I tried several other consumer grade editing apps that don't, revealing the ample distortion, particularly on the wide end. I use some of these apps so I am batch converting the NEF files to TIFF using PSE, which preserves the corrections, and then edit in the other apps. Windows 10 default viewer also does not display the correction. The free IrfanView for Windows does display NEF with correction. Correction is also applied to videos.

Lens is great but did not come with a lens hood. Not sure if it was a mistake or not but definitely be aware.

Funciona adecuadamente con la Z50 y Z50ii. Es un lente util no solo para video, si no para fotografía sobre todo en espacios cerrados, por su distancia focal.

The Nikon Z DX 12-28mm lens has genuinely exceeded my expectations—even when shooting stills. Sharpness is excellent across the frame, and autofocus is both fast and reliable. Despite being a zoom-by-wire design, the handling feels natural and intuitive; I haven’t encountered any of the usual disconnect that sometimes plagues electronic zooms. I was particularly surprised by how much I enjoy shooting at 12mm (18mm full-frame equivalent). It’s proven incredibly versatile, whether I’m capturing expansive landscapes or working in tight interiors. The lens is also impressively lightweight, making it an ideal everyday companion for both photography and 4K video work. What stands out most is how this lens outperforms its price tag. Not only is it consistently sharp, but it also delivers high image quality and—almost unexpectedly—has a bit of character to its rendering. It’s rare to find a wide zoom that’s this fun to use. I’m genuinely happy with this lens; it’s become one of my favorites in the Z DX lineup. The VR seems to be a real 4.5 stops too.

Nice lens

Amazing light weight lens. PD zoom takes some time to get use too, but internal zoom is great. Even though not a full frame lens still takes great shots on my Nikon Zf in any light

Excelente lente, todo terreno en fiestas, retrato, arquitectura y paisaje. Muy nítido y el zoom es super útil. Más grande y luminoso que el que viene con el kit de Z50

Great lens, light and cheap.

Si eres aficionado y estás iniciando está bien, francamente, lo encontré falto de nitidez , frágil y demasiado básico, lo único bueno es el power zoom pero en un angular no es algo que pueda destacar mucho , francamente creo que incluso el lente de kit 16-50 ofrece mejor calidad que este lente , opté por regresarlo.

12mm on a crop factor is 18mm full-frame equivalent; I would much prefer a 14 or 16mm equivalent. The aperture is nothing to write home about, and the power zoom is sluggish. But this is the only super-wide option available for crop factor Z cameras, and it does the job acceptably for an ok price. If you need it, you know it, and this is pretty much your only option.