Choosing the right all-in-one zoom just got a little more complicated for Nikon shooters. With the release of the Nikkor Z 24-105mm F4-7.1, Nikon has officially entered the ultralight full-frame arena, offering a direct response to Canon’s popular RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS STM which has the exact same focal and aperture range (but has an optical Image stabilization in addition). While the high-end Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S remains the gold standard for optics and reach, this new 24-105mm prioritizes something else entirely: portability. In this post, we’re breaking down the size and weight differences between these three lenses to see if the weight savings of the new variable aperture zooms are worth the trade-off in speed.
But before getting into more detail, lets see how their prices compare:
- Nikon Z 24-105mm F4-7.1: $549
- Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S: $999 (was $1,149)
- Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM: $459
Here is a real-life scaled size comparison of these three lenses, followed by a specs comparison table.
(click on the image for a larger version)
Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S vs Nikon Z 24-105mm F4-7.1 vs Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS
To give you a better idea of how these actually feel in the hand, let's look at them mounted on some hardware. We’ve paired the Nikons with the new Z5 II and the Canon with the EOS R8 since these are some of the most compact full-frame bodies currently available in their respective mounts, it’s the perfect way to see which setup truly wins on portability.
Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S vs Nikon Z 24-105mm F4-7.1 vs Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS sizes when atatched to cameras
TIP: You can find this comparison at our Size Comparison Tool
To be honest, the results of this comparison weren't exactly what I expected. I was holding out hope that the new Nikkor Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 would be a truly tiny travel lens, but Nikon seems to be sticking to its trend of making glass that’s a bit bulkier than its Canon or Sony rivals. It’s surprising to see this variable aperture lens sitting nearly side-by-side in size with the 24-120mm f/4 S, especially since the latter offers more reach and a constant f/4 speed. However, where this new lens wins is the scales; it is significantly lighter than the S-Line version, which is a massive advantage when you're actually out in the field all day.
Nikon Z 24-120mm F4 S vs Nikon Z 24-105mm F4-7.1 vs Canon RF 24-105mm F4.0-7.1 IS Specs and Feature Comparison
The Takeaway
Canon stays true to the "compact" promise here, while the Nikon 24-105mm ends up being surprisingly bulky. If you’re torn between the two Nikons, we’d say skip the new f/4-7.1 and increase your budget for the 24-120mm f/4 S. It’s a stellar performer, and since the size difference is negligible, the jump in image quality and reach is more than worth the extra cost.
