Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Review

Everything you need to know about the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, a flexible superzoom for Nikon DX mirrorless cameras, is covered in this in-depth hands-on review. This lens can take wide-angle images at 18mm, telephoto pictures at 140mm, and anything in between with full-frame equivalent focal lengths of 27-210mm.

Nikon is no stranger to producing DX zoom lenses with a wide focal length of 18mm. The newest model is the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. There were 18-55mm, 18-70mm, 18-105mm, 18-135mm, 18-140mm, 18-200mm, and even 18-300mm lenses available throughout the DSLR era.

These lenses aren't always the best, even though they have shown to be rather popular. Rather than having to do with performance, the main reason for their popularity is their inexpensive cost (and the fact that they come in packages with lots of cameras). They typically lack excellent handling, low-light capabilities, and build quality.

On the other hand, optical performance is a different matter. It greatly depends on the lens; some low-cost zoom lenses have far higher performance than one may anticipate. The finest of them can provide an excellent trade-off between cost, weight, and visual appeal.

The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3, which costs about $310 and is the most popular kit lens for Nikon Z DX shooters, is an example of a cheap, yet optically powerful zoom lens. When combined with the unexpectedly decent Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3, which costs $380, you get a powerful dual-lens package at an affordable price.

In contrast, the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 is a $640 standalone lens, so it has some serious competition in proving its value. Is the Nikon Z 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR a lens that Nikon Z DX shooters should always use? That and more will be answered in this review!

Build Quality

The construction of the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 seems a touch shoddy. This is partly because to the materials that Nikon employed; for instance, the lens's telescopic barrel and focusing ring are composed of lower-quality plastic than those found on other Z lenses from the brand. Additionally, the lens mount is composed of plastic rather than metal and is not surrounded by a rubber seal.

It is not surprising that the lens barrel grows when you zoom in on 140mm with this particular lens. Here, the lens is extended in length using a single-barrel telescoping mechanism, which works as follows:

Although a telescoping barrel by itself is not a problem, I discovered that when I zoomed into 140mm on my copy of the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3, there was some obvious "play" or wobble in the barrel of the lens. In this sense, other Nikon Z lenses are typically more reliable. (Even the longest superzoom available for the Nikon Z, the Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR that I'm testing, barely wobbles at 400mm.) Over time, wobbling can make it easier for dirt or dust to enter the zoom mechanism, even while it won't significantly impair the lens's ability to capture sharp images.

The good news is that Nikon claims that the Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 is weather-sealed despite all of this. To stop moisture and dust from entering the lens, there are five weather-sealing rings in total inside the barrel. Although it's not as much sealing as on more expensive Nikon lenses, it's still better than nothing.

Furthermore, the remainder of the lens is well-made. The majority of Nikon Z lenses share the same premium plastic for the primary barrel, and the rubber zoom ring is smooth and well-damped. As a result, the lens feels more comforting than the majority of low-cost kit lenses available. It can yet be improved, though.

Handling

There isn't much to talk about when it comes to this lens's handling, so this section will be brief! With the exception of the zoom and focusing rings, the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 has no buttons, switches, or other controls. It seems that Nikon was not intended to have an auto/manual focus switch, which is something I wish they had at least included.

My main gripe with this lens, aside from the absence of settings, is that a lens hood is not included in the packaging for the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3. This is something that, in my opinion, every lens should come with, especially since the Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 costs $640.

Positively, this lens has an excellent vibration reduction mechanism that makes it much simpler to operate in low light. While vibration reduction is not a panacea, it does have a significant impact on the margins. With this lens, you can utilize shutter speeds longer than those usually suggested by the reciprocal rule—as long as your subject is motionless.

Nikon Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 Specifications

• Full Name: Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

• Mount Type: Nikon Z Mount (DX only)

• Focal Length: 18mm to 140mm zoom (7.8× zoom)

• Angle of View (DX): 76° to 11°30′

• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 at 18mm; f/6.3 at 140mm

• Minimum Aperture: f/22 at 18mm; f/40 at 140mm

• Aperture Blades: 7, rounded

• Filter Size: 62mm

• Lens Elements: 17

• Lens Groups: 13

• Special Elements: 2 aspherical, 2 ED glass

• Super Integrated Coating: Yes

• Fluorine Coated Front Element: No

• Electronic Diaphragm: Yes

• Vibration Reduction: Yes

• Internal Focusing: Yes

• Control Rings: Zoom, focus

• Function Buttons: No

• Internal Zooming: No

• Focus Motor: Stepping motor

• Minimum Focus Distance: 20 cm (7.9 inches)

• Maximum Magnification: 0.33× (1:3)

• Mount Material: Plastic

• Weather/Dust Sealing: Partial

• Dimensions (Length × Diameter): 90 × 73 mm (3.5 × 2.9 inches)

• Weight: 315 g (0.69 lbs)