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Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: one-minute review

Nikon's Z-mount mirrorless cameras system has come of age – seven years since its first Z-mount cameras, we now have its first second-generation lens, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, which is designed to replace the original Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.

I have a particular personal interest in this new lens, because I've relied on the original for personal and professional work for several years, and I'm still completely happy with it today.

So the question I had going into this review was not whether this lens would be any good – I knew it was going to be a five-star performer. Rather, it's whether it gives users of the original like me enough of a reason to upgrade, and whether it's worth the extra outlay.

I'll cut to the chase and say I don't think it is... depending on the price difference. I've reviewed enough second-generation Sony lenses where I've seen genuine improvement – new lenses that are optically sharper, plus much smaller and lighter. Nikon's new 24-70mm boasts similar improvements, but for me Nikon hasn't quite gone far enough with the upgrades, given the big difference in price at launch and the already excellent quality of the original.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Still, the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is a five-star lens by every metric. Its optical and build quality are top drawer, with edge-to-edge pin sharpness at any focal length, impressive control over lens distortion, and smooth rendering of bokeh.

Build quality impresses, too. Its weather-resistant design betters the original in one key way – zoom is internal, which is one less potential weak spot for dust and water to enter the lens internals.

The original lens is in fact slightly smaller in length, but it extends past the new lens as you zoom up to 70mm. For me, the internal zoom, snappier autofocus, lighter weight and moderately sharper detail are the biggest upgrades, but not enough of a reason to spend so much extra now, rather than waiting for potential price cuts or until the original is phased out.

Price considerations aside, you'll struggle to find a better-quality professional lens, with a versatile 24-70mm zoom and consistent f/2.8 aperture across that range – this is a five-star performer all the way, and key new addition to the Nikon Z lens range.

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: price and availability

• Priced at $2,799 / £2,599 / AU$4,599
• Lens hood included
• Announced in August 2025

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Nikon's Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens was announced in August 2025, costing $2,799 / £2,599 / AU$4,599, lens hood included. At the time of writing the lens has already got its first price cuts in the US and UK where it's now $2,599 / £2,299.

At the time of the mark II's launch, the original 24-70mm lens was already on sale for $2,099 / £1,999, while you can also buy that lens secondhand from trustworthy retailers for much, much less, with prices depending on the condition.

Personally, I'd buy the original secondhand in excellent condition for around 30% less than the mark II new at its current sale price. However, if money is no object for you, then the new lens is of course the better choice of the two.

Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II specsNikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II specs

Type:

Standard zoom

Mount:

Z-mount

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

24-70mm

Max aperture:

f/2.8

Minimum focus:

0.79ft / 0.24 m at 24mm, 1.09ft / 0.33 m at 70mm with a 0.32x max magnification

Filter size:

77mm

Dimensions:

3.4in x 5.6 inches / 84mm x 142mm

Weight:

1.49lbs / 675g

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: Design

• Lightest lens of its kind, just 675g
• Weather-resistant design, internal zoom
• Multiple control rings, including a clicked / de-clicked

The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a classic standard zoom and essential offering in a professional mirrorless camera system, historically sitting in the middle of a trio of professional f/2.8 zooms – the other two usually being a 14-24mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8.

When I bought my first mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6 II, I chose the original Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S as my first lens. Such is its quality and versatility that it ended up being the only lens I owned for years, until I splurged on a fast-aperture telephoto prime.

I didn't think the original 24-70mm needed updating – it's such a good lens already. However, the mark II is the first second-generation Z-mount lens, and it does indeed upgrade the original in several ways.

In terms of design, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is the lightest of its kind, just 675g – that's approximately 16% lighter than the 805g original. I used both lenses together and I can't say I noticed the difference particularly, even over a long day of event photography. However, that is a decent drop in weight.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The new lens's diameter is slimmer than before, too, with a 77mm filter thread to the original's 82mm. However, the new lens is longer than the original – that is when both lenses are set to the 24mm focal length.

Zoom each lens to 70mm, and that's where the difference kicks in – the new lens has an internal zoom, meaning its dimensions are unchanged as you move through the zoom range (see above), whereas the original lens extends past its successor as you zoom in.

For me, the internal zoom is the single biggest upgrade in the new lens, not only for better balance, but improved ruggedness – it's one less potential point of weakness in terms of dust and dirt ingress. Also, being shorter at 70mm, it's less likely to knock against your surroundings, which is helpful for hectic environments like weddings and events. You can see how the two lenses differ in length below.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

We lose the basic top LED, which on the original could display key lens settings, including focus distance. In practice, it's not a feature that I particularly missed. Instead, we gain a control ring which can be set to clicked or de-clicked – I suspect most users will set this ring to control aperture. There's three rings in all; zoom, focus and that custom ring.

There's a reassuring quality to the lens, despite its lightweight design – each ring, button and switch handles well. And it balances perfectly with the Nikon Z6 III, which is the camera I was testing the lens with. By extension, it'll be a decent fit with the Z8 and Z9 cameras, too.

A lens hood is supplied with the lens, and it features a hatch. The idea is that when the hatch is open, it's much easier to make on the go adjustments to a filter, say a variable ND for video recording.

On that note, there is a general sense that the mark II version of the lens is better designed for video work. Autofocus is speedier – more on that shortly – focus breathing is suppressed, and there's that de-clicked aperture control ring for smooth adjustments while recording.

Close focusing is also improved – the minimum focus distance depends on the focal length, but the maximum magnification is 0.32x – that's an improvement from the original's 0.22x, and suitable for close up details such as wedding rings, without being a proper macro lens.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: Performance

• Incredibly sharp edge to edge
• Smooth bokeh and impressive control of all lens distortions
• Versatile maximum f/2.8 aperture and snappy autofocus

I've taken a wide range of photos in various scenarios with the lens attached to a Nikon Z6 III (with all in-camera lens corrections turned off), using the various aperture settings and focal lengths. Put simply, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is optically flawless, save for a light fall-off at f/2.8 (vignetting, which I rather like).

Detail is pin-sharp from center to edges. For reference, I compared like-for-like images shot with the original, and the new lens has the edge (I'm also working on a versus piece between the two lenses where I will share comparison images, coming soon). You'll need to zoom in to 100% to appreciate the difference, but it is there. I wouldn't feel the need to apply any sharpness corrections when editing the images, whereas with the original I tend to apply a little.

Bokeh quality is similar between both lenses. Sure, you'll want a f/1.4 prime or faster for bigger bokeh, but bokeh rendering at f/2.8 is pleasantly smooth and free of any distortion.

What's all the more impressive is that optical quality is better despite what is a simpler optical design – the new lens has 14 elements in 10 groups, compared to the original's 17 elements in 15 groups (this also partly explains the lighter weight of the new lens).

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You'll get lovely crsip sunstars when stopping lens aperture down to, say, f/16 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

At f/2.8, I'm not seeing chromatic aberration distortion (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

At f/2.8, there is light fall-off (vignetting) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 7

In the same scene but at f/8, light fall off is all but gone (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 7

Bokeh is smooth (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 7

Detail is crisp, autofocus reliable (with the Z6 III's subject detection AF) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 7 of 7

Finally, some flare! Not that I'd take a poor quality picture like this for real – I was just trying to eke out flare (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Photos I took in woodland with strong backlighting at f/2.8 are free from chromatic aberration – a distortion I'd expect to see in such a scenario with lesser-quality lenses. In the same scenario with the lens aperture stopped down to f/16, the lens rendered a crisp sunstar (you can see those two photos in the gallery, above).

Only when I pointed the camera straight towards the sun for a backlit selfie could I get any kind of lens flare – that's not a lens drawback, just an impossible situation I presented the lens with, and better lighting required!

Focus breathing is really well controlled, while autofocus performance is superb too. There's no sense of laboring – the lens snappily latches onto subjects, especially when paired with the Z6 III and making use of that camera's subject-detection tracking autofocus skills.

Combine that optical quality, decent close-focusing skills and speedy autofocus, and the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is an impressive performer on all fronts.

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I could rely on the camera and lens combination for sharp focus even in low light (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 7

Detail is incredibly sharp across this scene (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 7

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Should you buy the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II?Buy it if...

You want a versatile professional zoom lens

The 24-70mm zoom range and maximum f/2.8 aperture cover off a huge range of scenarios.

You shoot events and weddings

That maximum f/2.8 aperture, fast autofocus skills and robust build are a dream combo for the rigors of event and wedding photography.

Don't buy it if...

You own the original 24-70mm f/2.8

Yes, there are a few improvements, but I don't think this new mark II version merits the financial hit of an upgrade at full price; it'll be a different story when its price drops.

You don't mind a secondhand saving

The original 24-70mm f/2.8 can be purchased secondhand for around 30% less than its successor's list price – that feels like the better deal.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)How I tested the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

• I tested it for one month
• I paired it with the Nikon Z6 III and Nikon ZR cameras
• I used it for photography and video, both indoors and out

Nikon loaned me the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II lens for a month, and during this time I've used it for event, portraiture and landscape photography, and as an everyday lens. I've also shot video with it.

I've made direct comparisons with my own 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens to see to what degree Nikon has improved on the original.

I've made sure to take images using various aperture settings and focal lengths, with all in-camera lens corrections switched off, and compared those images to check for any lens distortions and assess bokeh quality.

• First reviewed November 2025

The Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II is Nikon's first second-gen Z-mount lens, with a new optical design, slimmer profile and internal zoom – but is it a big enough upgrade to tempt owners of the original?

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The PlayStation Portal is the latest in Sony’s PlayStation 5 hardware lineup. Pitched firmly as a PS5 accessory that will enable portable access to your console and game library through an internet connection. It’s a simple prospect and one that utilizes Sony’s PS Remote Play app concept - but deploys it brilliantly in a dedicated device.

Review update: November 2025

(Image credit: Sony/PlayStation)

In November 2025, the PlayStation Portal received a huge update to its functionality and its OS. The biggest update was the change to its cloud streaming prowess, which it now fully offers to all users with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.

This enhancement means the Portal is now a bona fide cloud streaming device for Premium members. Those players can also stream their own PS5 games (as long as they're on this list and owned digitally), which is a huge boon. The update also provided a huge OS overhaul and has taken the Portal's performance to another level, ensuring it has rightly earned the five-star score I originally gave it.

The rest of my review on this page is as it was when the Portal released back in November 2023.

To be clear, the PlayStation Portal is exactly that: a small window into your PS5. While not strictly among the best handheld games consoles as it lacks the ability to play games natively like the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation Portal isn’t trying to be that. It’s offering something entirely different. The terrific news is that it absolutely delivers on what it promises, and is a magnificent device for those who utilize Remote Play or want a portable way into their PS5.

Offering superb ergonomics as well as excellent design and build quality with all those exquisite DualSense controller features on top, this Remote Play beaut and its bright and sharp 8-inch LCD screen present a wonderful portable PS5 experience. One that I’ve already incorporated into my everyday home life.

PlayStation Portal review: price and availability

The PlayStation Portal is out now and costs $199.99 / £199.99. While stock was initially really hard to find after the handheld launched, it is now readily available in all regions. However, discounts are few and far between.

In terms of comparison, the cheapest Steam Deck (the 64GB model) is now $349 / £309, the ASUS ROG Ally starts at $599.99 / £599, and the Nintendo Switch Lite is the closest in price with an MSRP of $199.99 / £200.

However, it’s worth remembering that the Portal is not a system that can play games natively like the above devices. Its sole purpose is to use the Remote Play system (like the Backbone One controller) to stream your PS5, which you need to have invested in already.

As of November 2025, however, you don't need a PS5 to own and use a PlayStation Portal. The handheld can now be used on its own to stream games from the cloud if you have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.

PlayStation Portal review: design and features

Essentially a DualSense controller wrapped around an 8-inch LCD display, the PlayStation Portal has an immediately familiar design, build, and feel. It quickly feels at home in the hands of a PS5 owner and is comfortable, easy to handle, and a joy to interact with. It’s also a bit heavier and larger than you might expect. Its weight of 18.66oz / 529g doesn’t sound too heavy, but it is noticeable, especially when picking it up with one hand.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

That largely comes down to the overall size of the device. Coming in at 12in / 30.5cm in length, there’s a notable heft to the Portal that you’ll initially have to get used to. Otherwise, it’s 2.4in / 6cm high to the top of the thumbsticks which are smaller than the DualSense’s sticks and are those found on the PSVR 2 Sense controllers - and about 4.7in / 12cm from front to back.

The controller wings feature everything that a normal DualSense has, with the only slight difference being some button placement - the PS Home button is tucked into the top right corner of the left wing, and the mic mute button gets the same treatment on the top left of the right wing. Otherwise, it’s got the same grippy feel, the buttons are the same in their actuation, and the only material difference is the aforementioned smaller thumbsticks.

On the top, there are two stereo speakers, the power button, volume up and down buttons, and the PlayStation Link button. The latter will only be of use once you can pair your Portal with the Pulse Elite headset, or the upcoming Pulse Explore earbuds. Completing the set, on the rear, there’s the USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headsets; this keeps the cables tidily out of the way when you’re playing. 

The PlayStation Portal feels sturdy too, like it could survive a bump or two if it fell off your lap. However, I have already decided to invest in a screen protector and possibly some form of case to give it an extra layer of protection. From an ergonomics standpoint, it’s one of the best handheld gaming devices going; having been designed and built around a controller, feel, fit, and form can come first, as opposed to other handhelds which have to prioritize a game-playing system first, then bolt on buttons and controls.

PlayStation Portal review - Performance and battery life

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

Simply put, the PlayStation Portal performs brilliantly. It nails its function, and in all my hours of testing so far, has been a joy to use and hasn’t had any hiccups in connectivity or any input lag to speak of.

It begins with a very quick pairing and logging-in process before you’re greeted by a bright screen with familiar-looking UI and menus. When you log in (and out) of your PS5 from the Portal, you even get a cool portal graphic which is a pleasant touch.

When you turn on the Portal while your PS5 is in rest mode, it will automatically boot the console up and get you straight in. You can disengage or re-engage the main console while the Portal is on at will too.

Getting right to how it plays games and works as a remote play device, the Portal offers a sublime Remote Play experience. It is so much better than using Remote Play functionality on my PC; the difference is like night and day. Whereas my PC would have visual lag and crackly audio at times, the connection with the Portal is seamless and smooth. Also, when comparing it with the picture on my TV to test input lag, I get barely any, and if it is there it is totally discernable. 

For context, my home internet speeds are around 150Mbps down and around 30-40Mbps up, and while my PS5 is hardwired via ethernet cable, my main Wi-Fi router is in a cupboard under the stairs. But even with my router tucked away, the Portal continues to provide a quality, lag-free experience, never missing a beat regardless of the room I was in. 

I have also connected it to my neighbor's Wi-Fi (with his consent), used my 5G connection (which runs at about 20-25Mbps download speed where I live) from my Samsung S23 phone, and tested it with a variety of games. Aside from taking slightly longer to connect with my PS5 over those separate internet connections, the PlayStation Portal is a relentless performer. Testing it for online play in Back 4 Blood, I found the experience identical to that when playing with my friends on the main console, and it’s even possible - with slight delays in reconnecting to the PS5 - to switch from one internet connection to another mid-session.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The screen is crisp and bright - a bit too bright at times, particularly when I first booted a game up - and proves more than worthy on the Portal. The worlds of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and the city lights of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s New York are a delight. There are, however, a few times when the LCD screen can show its limitations and have me yearning for an OLED panel; on images like dark save screens, you can identify lines and edges of blocks of color as opposed to a smooth gradient. Largely, though, it's bright, vivid, and perfect for the Portal. It also handles different quality or performance modes in games smoothly.

The Portal’s speakers are punchy and do the job, but, predictably, struggle at the low end given they are only two small stereo speakers squished into the Portal's narrow form. There’s no Bluetooth support on the device, but I wrote a short while ago about how the lack of the feature doesn’t matter, and I would say that’s still the case having lived with the Portal for a good few days now: when you’re plugged in and wearing a headset, playing on the sofa, or in bed, the experience has been the same as using a DualSense for me - I quickly and totally forget that I’m tethered.

The DualSense features operate as expected too, ensuring the Portal offers the same immersive gaming experience as you’d get with your main console. The touchscreen functionality is a success too; it only takes a couple of taps to replicate pressing the normal touchpad, and it's nice and responsive when using it to navigate te the Protal's UI too. Team this with the overall comfort of playing with the Portal for hours at a time, and the quality in its form factor and design is further reinforced.

Battery life is about on par with the DualSense controller. With the controller haptics and features enabled, I got just over six hours of life out of a full charge. I did tinker with screen brightness as that’s quite piercing at its highest level. I got the low battery warning at the four-and-a-half-hour mark, but the Portal kept going for that extra one and a half hours. You can also tone down screen brightness, and turn off features to squeeze more battery life in. The PlayStation Portal does take more than two hours to fully charge, so this is worth factoring into your intended play habits with the device.

I would like a sliding scale of brightness to be introduced down the line, as it’s pretty binary as it stands. I would also welcome a battery indicator that had visible numbers, as at the moment it’s just three chunks in a battery symbol.

Should I buy the PlayStation Portal?

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The PlayStation Portal is a brilliant handheld gaming device. It excels in its niche, offering ergonomic design and form, a wonderfully bright screen, and a host of PS5 features as standard. The Portal is an essential PS5 accessory for Remote Play users and for those looking to get more out of their console, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. 

I would also add, as I was told by Sony about the PlayStation Access controller, that the Portal is part of the PS5 ecosystem so it could benefit from future models down the line. This could pave the way for an OLED screen, the latest Wi-Fi, Bluetooth support, and more in the future.

The Portal is not pretending to be anything else apart from a quality remote-play device for your PS5, and it absolutely nails its brief. As long as you come to it knowing what it does and what it can offer you, then it wholeheartedly, unabashedly, spectacularly succeeds.

Buy it if...

You need a convenient way to play your PS5 game library
Knocking all other Remote Play options out of the park, if you’re looking for an extra way to play your PS5 then the Portal’s performance and functionality offer the best way to do just that.

You want an ergonomic handheld gaming device
By virtue of being based on the DualSense, the PlayStation Portal is one of the most ergonomic and accessible handheld gaming consoles you can get right now.

Don't buy it if...

You're looking for a cloud streaming or native handheld
The Portal is not for cloud streaming or playing games natively; it is only for mirroring and streaming your PS5.

How we tested the PlayStation Portal

The Portal has been the only way I’ve played my PS5 since it arrived a few days ago, and I have put more than 12 hours into testing. I’ve used the Portal for two full battery charges, all around my house, and neighbors’ homes, and testing it on my mobile phone’s 5G connection. I spent hours using the Portal’s own speakers as well as with a wired Razer Kaira X headset, and I played a multitude of games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and Atomic Heart, while also testing out online multiplayer in Back 4 Blood.

First reviewed October-November 2023