Best Landscape Lens for Nikon Z-mount
Switching to the Nikon Z system opens up a world of optical brilliance, but finding that perfect landscape glass can be daunting given the rapidly expanding lineup. Whether you’re chasing the golden hour in the Rockies or capturing minimal seascapes, the right lens transforms a good view into a breathtaking print. After testing nearly every Z-mount optic in the field, I’ve narrowed down the choices. While the 14-24mm f/2.8 S is a legend, you might be surprised by which lens actually stays on my camera the most.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Landscape Lenses for Nikon Z: Detailed Reviews
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S View on Amazon View on B&H
If money is no object and you demand absolute optical perfection, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is simply the king of the hill. I’ve used its F-mount predecessor for years, but this Z version is lighter, sharper, and manages flare significantly better—crucial when you’re shooting directly into a sunrise. The f/2.8 aperture makes it a dual-threat beast, allowing you to capture tack-sharp foregrounds during the day and the Milky Way at night without swapping lenses.
What I love most is the front element design; unlike the bulbous glass of old ultra-wides, this one is flatter and actually takes screw-on filters (112mm) via the included hood, which is a game-changer for using polarizers. The only real downside is the price tag, which is steep, and the physical size of those 112mm filters if you choose to use them.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S View on Amazon View on B&H
Honestly, for 90% of landscape photographers, this is actually the smarter buy over the f/2.8 version. The 14-30mm f/4 S collapses down so small that it easily fits into a jacket pocket, making it a dream for long hikes where every ounce matters. I was skeptical about the collapsible design at first, but the build quality feels solid and weather sealing is reliable enough for misty waterfall shoots.
The real selling point here is the flat front element that accepts standard 82mm filters. No massive filter holders required—just screw on your polarizer and go. While you lose a stop of light compared to the pro version, you rarely need f/2.8 for landscapes unless you are shooting stars. There is some software correction happening for distortion at 14mm, but the end results are brilliantly sharp.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 Z View on Amazon View on B&H
Let’s be real: Nikon Z glass is expensive. If you just bought a Z5 or Z6 and your wallet is hurting, the Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 is a breath of fresh air. It is impossibly cheap compared to native options, yet it delivers surprisingly decent image quality. It’s a prime lens, meaning you have to “zoom with your feet,” but 20mm is a classic focal length that is wide enough for sweeping vistas without creating distracting distortion.
Don’t expect the weather sealing or the corner sharpness of the S-line lenses; the corners can be a bit soft wide open at f/2.8. However, stop this lens down to f/8 or f/11—which you would do for landscapes anyway—and it sharpens up nicely. It feels a bit plasticky, but for the price of a few fancy dinners, it gets you into the wide-angle game immediately.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S View on Amazon View on B&H
Many photographers think “landscape” equals “ultra-wide,” but I’d argue that the standard zoom is just as vital. The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is, without exaggeration, one of the finest zooms Nikon has ever produced. It resolves detail on high-megapixel sensors like the Z7 II or Z8 with frightening clarity. While 24mm is wide enough for most scenes, the ability to zoom to 70mm allows you to isolate peaks, compress distant layers of mountains, or pick out abstract details in a forest.
It includes a dedicated OLED display for aperture or focus distance, which is cool tech, though I rarely use it in the field. What matters is the weather sealing and the rendering. The bokeh is smooth, and the micro-contrast gives images a 3D pop that cheaper lenses miss. It’s heavy and expensive, but it replaces a bag full of primes.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S View on Amazon View on B&H
If you find yourself shooting after the sun goes down more often than not, skip the zooms and grab this prime. The 20mm f/1.8 S is an astrophotography marvel. Nikon has virtually eliminated “coma” (where stars look like flying birds in the corners), meaning you get pin-sharp stars right to the edge of the frame even wide open.
For daylight landscapes, it offers slightly better sharpness than the 14-30mm zoom and creates beautiful sunstars when stopped down to f/16. It’s larger than you might expect for a prime lens—Nikon prioritized optical quality over compact size here—but it balances well on Z6 and Z7 bodies. If you force me to pick one lens for a night in Joshua Tree, this is the one coming out of my bag every single time.
Check Price on Amazon US, UK, CA, DE → Check Price on B&H
✓ Free Shipping · ✓ Easy Returns · ✓ Secure Checkout
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Landscape Lens
Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | Pro Landscapes/Astro | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S | Travel/Hiking | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Viltrox 20mm f/2.8 Z | Budget/Beginners | ★★★★☆ | Check |
| Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S | Versatility/Weddings | ★★★★★ | Check |
| Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S | Astrophotography | ★★★★☆ | Check |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my old F-mount lenses on the Z cameras?
Absolutely. With the FTZ or FTZ II adapter, your old F-mount glass works seamlessly. In fact, many users report their old lenses seem sharper because the Z-bodies have In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS). However, native Z lenses generally offer better corner sharpness and are optimized for the new sensor architecture, so I recommend upgrading your wide-angles eventually.
Is f/4 bright enough for landscape photography?
For 95% of scenarios, yes. Most landscape photographers shoot between f/8 and f/11 to get the entire scene in focus (deep depth of field). An f/2.8 aperture is only strictly necessary if you are hand-holding in low light or shooting astrophotography where you need to gather as much starlight as possible.
What creates the best sunstars?
Sunstars are created by the aperture blades inside the lens. Lenses with an even number of aperture blades usually create twice as many points as blades (e.g., 8 blades = 16 points). The Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 creates decent sunstars, but the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S is widely regarded as producing some of the cleanest, most defined sunstars in the lineup.
Do I really need 14mm, or is 24mm wide enough?
This depends on your environment. In grand locations like Iceland or the American Southwest, 14mm allows you to capture the vast scale and foreground interest simultaneously. However, 14mm pushes everything into the distance, making mountains look small. A 24mm lens creates a more natural perspective. If you are unsure, a 14-30mm zoom covers both bases perfectly.
Why are Z-mount lenses so expensive?
Nikon revamped their entire optical formula for the Z-mount. The larger mount diameter allows for more light and better edge sharpness, but requires larger, high-precision glass elements and complex coatings (like ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coat) to control flare. You are paying for pro-level optical performance that often exceeds what was physically possible on the old F-mount.
Final Verdict
If you are a professional or serious enthusiast, the 14-24mm f/2.8 S is an investment you will never regret. However, for the majority of hikers and travel photographers, I highly recommend the 14-30mm f/4 S. It offers 95% of the performance at a fraction of the weight and allows for easy filter usage, making it the most practical choice for adventures.