Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
The power zoom and internal STM motor deliver smooth, quiet focus pulls for video, while specialized lens elements maintain sharpness across the 12-28mm range on DX-format Z cameras. Its compact, lightweight design makes it a practical walk-around lens for everyday shooting, despite the lack of weather sealing. This lens is best for vloggers and hybrid shooters who need a wide, stabilized zoom for handheld video and expansive stills.
Focal length 12-28mm
Aperture f/3.5
Mount Nikon Z
stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed Yes
Weight 205 g
af type STM (stepping motor)
lens type zoom
67 Overall Score
No current retailer price
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong build (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong af (85th percentile) 85th
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile) 83rd
Cons
- Below average optical (18th percentile)
- Below average social proof (28th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM (stepping motor) |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4.5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 279 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 12-28mm | 28-300mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 17-40mm |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Canon EF |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 205 | 590 | 535 | 306 | 326 | 499 |
| AF Type | STM (stepping motor) | VXD linear motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor | USM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR | 84.6 | 81.4 | 91.1 | 73.1 | 17.6 | 82.9 | 75.5 | 27.5 | 94.6 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.7 | 63.1 | 83.1 | 96.3 | 71 | 97.9 | 50.7 | 79.4 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 53.9 | 97 | 67.2 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 86.7 | 83.9 | 49 | 86.2 | 88.4 | 80.5 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.5 | 78 | 82.9 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.4 |
| Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit Compare | 93.1 | 95.6 | 70.3 | 85.4 | 78 | 97.5 | 75.7 | 65.6 | 34.4 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
