Nikon NIKKOR 24-70mm f/4 S 24-70mm

This lens's macro performance is in the 97th percentile, making it a top-tier choice for close-up work on a standard zoom. The build quality is phenomenal, but the lack of weather sealing and average autofocus speed are the main drawbacks. With prices ranging from $610 to $2190, a renewed model at the low end is a steal for the optical performance you get.

Sharpness is solid, landing in the 68th percentile for optical quality. It's not going to out-resolve the latest Z-mount glass, but it's more than capable of producing crisp, detailed images on high-megapixel DSLR bodies. The real star of the show here is the close-up performance. With a minimum focus distance that lets you get surprisingly tight, this lens delivers a macro score that puts it ahead of almost every other standard zoom we've tested. The Nano Crystal Coat does its job well, keeping flare and ghosting under control even when you're shooting into the light.

The Silent Wave Motor is quick enough for most situations, but it's not a standout. Our AF score puts it right around average, so don't expect it to keep up with the fastest sports-tuned primes. Bokeh is a pleasant surprise, ranking well above average. The combination of the constant f/2.8 aperture and a 9-blade diaphragm renders out-of-focus backgrounds smoothly, which is exactly what you want for portraits and detail shots.

Stacked against the competition, this Nikon is a specialist. The Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm are superzooms that crush it on versatility and reach, making them far better for wildlife and sports, an area where the Nikon scored a disappointing 68.9. The Panasonic 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is a different beast entirely for the Micro Four Thirds crowd, offering more telephoto reach with Leica-approved optics. Where the Nikon fights back is with its constant f/2.8 aperture and that stellar macro capability. It's not the lens you buy to do everything; it's the lens you buy to do standard-range work with a level of close-up detail and subject isolation that the superzooms simply can't match.

The price on this lens is all over the map, with a spread of $1580 between the cheapest and most expensive listings. At the $2190 end, you're getting into the territory of newer, sharper lenses with vibration reduction. But at the $610 mark for a renewed model, it becomes a completely different conversation. That's a lot of pro-grade glass for the money. If you're on a DSLR and find a clean copy from a reputable seller at the lower end of that range, the price-to-performance ratio is hard to argue with. Just make sure you're comparing apples to apples, as some bundles throw in filters and cap keepers that might sweeten the deal.

The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a workhorse zoom that still holds its own, especially if you're into close-up work. Our database puts its macro performance in the 97th percentile, which is genuinely best-in-class for a standard zoom. You're getting a constant f/2.8 aperture, a build quality that feels like it could survive a minor apocalypse, and an optical formula with three aspherical and three ED elements. It's a lens that's earned its reputation on the front of countless professional DSLRs.

But it's not without its quirks. The autofocus speed is middle of the pack, and the lack of weather sealing is a real head-scratcher for a lens built this tough. The price also swings wildly, from $610 to over two grand depending on where you look and whether you go for a renewed model. If you can snag a clean used copy at the lower end of that range, the value proposition gets very interesting.

Wildlife and sports shooters should look elsewhere. The 70mm reach is far too short, and the autofocus speed is just average, leading to a weak 68.9 out of 100 score in that category. If you're often shooting in bad weather, the complete lack of weather sealing is a dealbreaker. And if you demand the absolute sharpest optics corner-to-corner, a modern mirrorless lens like the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S will leave this old workhorse in the dust, though your wallet will feel the difference.

The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is a bit of a legend for a reason, but you have to know what you're getting into. It's a tank of a lens with a best-in-class macro trick up its sleeve and a gorgeous constant aperture. The lack of weather sealing and just-okay autofocus are the trade-offs. Our data says this is a fantastic buy if you can find it at a good price, especially on the used market. If you're a DSLR shooter who wants a single, durable lens for events, portraits, and detailed close-ups, and you don't plan on shooting in a downpour, this is a very easy recommendation.