Nikon Z-mount

Throat diameter

The 55 mm throat diameter of the Nikon Z-mount makes it the largest full-frame lens mount. It is much larger than the older Nikon F-mount (44 mm) and than the Sony mirrorless E-mount (46.1 mm), but only slightly larger than the 54 mm of both the Canon EF and RF mounts and of the 51.6 mm diameter full-frame mirrorless Leica L-Mount.

Flange distance

The Z-mount has a very short flange distance of 16 mm, which is shorter than all previously mentioned lens mounts. The shorter flange distance allowed Nikon (and others) to build smaller and simpler lenses.

This flange distance, along with the large throat diameter, allows for numerous lenses of nearly all other current and previous mounts to be used with an appropriate lens mount adapter on a Z-mount camera (see Autofocus/electronic adapters for a list of mounts and adapters).

Lens contacts

The number of electrical contacts between the camera body and lens was increased from eight (on the F-mount) to eleven (on the Z-mount). These communicate lens information to the camera and provide power and instructions to the lens from the camera. There are no mechanical levers or plungers for communicating information.

Mount type and tabs

As on most interchangeable lens mount camera systems, the Z-mount uses a bayonet mount for attaching the lens to the camera. Nikon increased the number of tabs from three (on the F-mount) to four. This provides slightly more security on the mounted lens.

Lens formats: FX and DX

For its two sensor sizes, FX (Full-frame) and DX (APS-C), Nikon develops two varieties of lens. The two versions both use the Z-mount, and are mechanically and electronically identical. When mounted on the same camera type (i.e., an FX lens on an FX camera or a DX lens on a DX camera), a lens performs according to its nominal characteristics. When a DX lens is mounted on an FX camera, it causes the camera to use a crop mode from the center of the sensor, corresponding to the DX coverage of the lens. When an FX lens is mounted on a DX camera, it provides a 1.5x crop field of view, as is typical with an APS-C camera.

Lens mounting

Z-mount lenses lock (i.e., attach to the camera) by aligning the white dots on the camera body and lens and turning the lens counter-clockwise (when looking at the front of lens) until it clicks, signifying that it is locked. To unlock, the camera's Lens Release button is pressed and the lens is rotated clockwise.

Introduction of the cameras

In late 2018, Nikon released the first two cameras (alongside three lenses and the FTZ adapter) that use this mount, the full-frame Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6, both using the then top‑of‑the‑line Expeed 6 image processor. In late 2019 Nikon announced their first Z-mount camera with an APS-C sensor, the Nikon Z50, also using the Expeed 6. In July 2020 the entry-level full-frame Z5 was introduced. In October 2020, Nikon announced the Nikon Z6II and Nikon Z7II, which succeed the Z6 and Z7, respectively. Both used dual Expeed 6 image processors. The APS-C lineup was expanded in July 2021, with the introduction of the retro-styled Nikon Zfc.

In October 2021, Nikon unveiled the Nikon Z9, which effectively succeeded the brand's flagship D6 DSLR. It was the first to use the Expeed 7 processor. The APS-C lineup was further expanded with the Nikon Z30, announced at the end of June 2022. 2023 brought the introduction of the Z8 and Zf, the second and third cameras to use the Expeed 7. The Nikon Z6III was announced in June 2024. In November 2024, Nikon announced the Z50II as a major upgrade of the Z50; it became the first APS-C camera to use the Expeed 7 processor introduced with the Z9. In April 2025, Nikon announced the Z5II as a major upgrade for its lowest class full-frame line of cameras. In September 2025, Nikon announced the first camera of its "Z Cinema" line, the ZR, co-designed with RED. The ZR is the first Nikon camera that internally offers the 12-bit R3D NE raw video codec (Redcode Raw with TicoRAW). In September 2026, Nikon announced the full-frame Z5IIC, stating that it has “user-friendly features for first-time mirrorless camera users.”

Camera overview

The following table contains the specifications for all Nikon Z-mount cameras, including models that have been discontinued. Red cinema cameras with Z-mounts are shown in the following section.

All Z-mount cameras can use all Z-mount lenses, operating as described in Lens formats. In addition, they can also use Nikon F-mount lenses through the use of an FTZ II adapter.

Type	Model	Years		Sensor		LCD		EVF	Expeed	Card slots	Continuous release fps	Wt. g	Video recording						Ref
		Intro	Disc	MP	IBIS	Size	Dots						1080p fps	4K fps	6K fps	8K fps	10-bit	12-bit
DX (APS-C)	Z30	2022		20.9	No	3.0"	1.04 M		6	SD	11	405	120	30	n/a		No	No
	Z50	2019	2024	20.9	No	3.2"	1.04 M		6	SD	11	450
	Z50II	2024		20.9	No	3.2"	1.04 M		7	SD	11 30 (JPEG)	550		30 60			Yes
	Zfc	2021		20.9	No	3.2"	1.04 M		6	SD	11	445		30			No
FX (full frame)	Z5	2020		24.3	Yes	3.2"	1.04 M		6	SD ×2	4.5	675	60	30	No	n/a	No	No
	Z5II	2025		24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	SD ×2	11 30 (JPEG)	700	120	30 60	No		Yes	RAW:
	Z5IIC	2026		24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	SD	11 30 (JPEG)	620	120	30 60	No		Yes	RAW:
	Zf	2023		24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	SD + microSD	14	710	120	30 60	No		Yes	No
	Z6	2018	2022	24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		6	CFX	12	675	120	30	No		HDMI	Upgrade
	Z6II	2020		24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		6×2	CFX + SD	14	705	120	30 60
	Z6III	2024		24.5	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	CFX + SD	20 (RAW) 60 (JPEG) 120 (11 MP)	760	240	60 120	60		Yes	RAW:
	ZR	2025		24.5	Yes	4.0"	3.07 M		7	CFX + microSD	20 (RAW) 60 (JPEG) 120 (11 MP)	630						RAW:
	Z7	2018	2022	45.7	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		6	CFX	9	675	120	30	No	No	HDMI	Upgrade
	Z7II	2020		45.7	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		6×2	CFX + SD	10	705	120	30 60
FX Stacked	Z8	2023		45.7	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	CFX + SD	20 (RAW) 30 (JPEG) 60 (19 MP) 120 (11 MP)	910	120	120	No	60	Yes	RAW:
	Z9	2021		45.7	Yes	3.2"	2.10 M		7	CFX ×2	20 (RAW) 30 (JPEG) 60 (19 MP) 120 (11 MP)	1340

Notes

Red cinema cameras

In 2024, Red Digital Cinema was acquired by Nikon. On 12 February 2025, the first two cinema cameras using the Z-mount, the V-RAPTOR [X] and the KOMODO-X, were released. On 9 September 2025, Red released the V‑RAPTOR XE, also offering a Z-mount version besides the RF-mount variant. Along with the ZR, they are all part of the Z Cinema line.

Red cinema cameras with Z-mount can use all Z-mount lense, although some lenses may havee greater than normal distortion and/or light falloff, as the VV sensor is slightly wider than an FX sensor. In addition to Z-mount lenses, Red cinema cameras can also use Nikon F-mount lenses through the use of an FTZ II adapter, with the same issues as Z-mount lenses.

Camera gallery

• 
  Nikon Z9
• 
  Nikon Z8 + Z 24-120 mm f/4 S
• 
  Nikon ZR + Z 24-70 mm f/4 S
• 
  Nikon Z7II + Z 24-70 mm f/4 S
• 
  Nikon Z6III
• 
  Nikon Z6II
• 
  Nikon Z5II
• 
  Nikon Zf + Z 26 mm f/2.8
• 
  Nikon Zfc + Z 28 mm f/2.8 SE
• 
  Nikon Z50II +
  Z DX 16-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
• 
  Nikon Z30 + Z DX 16-50 mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Lens designations

All of Nikon's Z-mount lenses are Nikkors, which has been Nikon's brand for their lenses since 1932.

In their labeling of lenses, in addition to focal length and aperture, Nikon uses a new designation system (i.e., various tags) for their Z-mount lenses. The older F-mount Nikkor designations are no longer used, though they overlap in some areas (e.g., the VR and DX labels). Of particular interest, Nikon introduced the S (for S-Line) branding for especially high-performance ("superior") lenses, which is akin to Canon's L designation or Sony's G or GM branding.

Lens lines

The Nikkor Z line-up has several distinct lines of lenses, which are designed with similar handling and optical characteristics.

Teleconverters

The Nikon Z-mount teleconverters are a group of full-frame, magnifying lenses mounted between the Z-mount lens and camera bodies to increase the focal length. It is attached to the Z-mount end of the lens before attaching the teleconverter's Z-mount to the powered-off camera. The following Nikon teleconverters are available:

The Nikon Z-mount teleconverters are only compatible with the following Nikon Z lenses, as the design of the lens must be able to physically accept the attachment of the Z teleconverter:

Although the Z-mount teleconverters are full-frame, they can be used on a Z-mount DX camera with any of the preceding lenses, as all Z-mount lenses are usable on all Z-mount cameras.

Z-mount teleconverters cannot be mounted on top of each other, although they can be used on lenses that have built-in teleconverters (included in the preceding list with the letters "TC"), further extending their reach.

Relating to the use of teleconverters with an FTZ II (or FTZ) mount adapter:

• Nikon Z-mount teleconverters cannot be used in conjunction with the FTZ adapter.
• Nikon F-mount teleconverters can be used on compatible F-mount lenses when used with the FTZ adapter.

Lens gallery

• 
  Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S
• 
  Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S
• 
  Nikkor Z 24-200 f/4–6.3 VR
• 
  Nikkor Z 50 f/1.8 S
• 
  Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z-mount adapters for all Z-mount cameras

Nikon makes two lens adapters, the FTZ II and the original FTZ which allow many Nikon F-mount lenses to be used on Z-mount cameras. Nikon SLR cameras, both film and digital, have used the Nikon F-mount with its 44 mm throat diameter and 46.5 mm flange since 1959, while the Z-mount has a 55 mm throat diameter and a 16 mm flange distance. The FTZ allows AF-S, AF-P and AF-I lenses to autofocus on Z-mount cameras. The older screw-drive AF and AF-D lenses will not autofocus with the FTZ adapter (although some third-party adapters do support autofocus with screw-drive AF lenses), but they do retain metering and Exif data. All Z-mount cameras support metering with manual focus lenses, along with all full-frame Z-mount cameras also providing in-body image stabilization (IBIS) on them.

Mount adapters made by Nikon to support F-mount lenses on their Z-mount cameras are:

• Nikon FTZ: The FTZ supports F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras, and provides an integrated tripod foot. Metering, IBIS and Exif metadata are supported with any F-mount lens, including manual lenses, while autofocus is only supported with AF-I, AF-S and AF-P lenses. Variable autofocus speed for video shooting is only supported with AF-P and select AF-S lenses. The FTZ adds 30.5 mm to the length of the attached lens, which is the difference in flange distance between the Nikon F-mount (46.5 mm) and the Z-mount (16 mm), along with allowing the F's smaller throat diameter to be mated to the larger Z diameter. This model was announced along with the Z6 and Z7 in September 2018, and was discontinued by Nikon in October 2021, after the introduction of the FTZ II.
• Nikon FTZ II: Same performance as the FTZ, but without the integrated tripod foot. This model was introduced in October 2021 along with the Z9, and allows for easier vertical shooting with the Z9.

As the FTZ adapter is a short, hollow tube with no lenses in its construction, there is no reduction in light passing through it, meaning no change in speed (unlike a teleconverter).

An FTZ adapter is attached to a powered-off camera in the same manner as a lens. Once it is attached, the F-mount lens can then be attached to the adapter.

F-mount lens compatibility

Nikon specifies F-mount lens compatibility as in the following table. Nikon F-mount teleconverters can be used on compatible F-mount lenses, but the Z-mount teleconverters may not be used in conjunction with the FTZ. For details on the lens types listed in the table, refer to Nikon F-mount.

This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Some(?) Expeed 7 models have focus trapping with AI-P-type lenses, including eye focus.. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2024)

Lens type		Focus	Exposure mode	Metering mode	IBIS	Exif data
Autofocus	AF-P AF-S AF-I	Autofocus	All modes (shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual, and program modes)	All modes (matrix, center-weighted, spot, and highlight-weighted metering)	Yes	Yes
	G- and D-type (without motor)	Manual focus (with focus confirmation)
	Other AF (screw drive)	Manual focus (with focus peaking and electronic rangefinder confirmation)
Manual focus	AI-P PC-E
	AI PC (no CPU contacts)		Aperture-priority and manual	All modes, except highlight-weighted metering	Focal length and maximum aperture need to be entered manually
	Pre-AI	Not officially supported.

Nikon Z-mount adapters for RED Z-mount cameras

Mount adapters provided by Nikon to support PL-mount lenses on their RED Z-mount cameras are the following:

• RED Z to PL Adapter Pack: Enables the use of PL-mount lenses on Z-mount RED Digital Cinema cameras.
  There is no change in optical speed (T-stop or light transmission) when using this adapter, as it has no glass elements.
• RED Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack: Similar to the previous, but includes an integrated electronic ND feature which allows a user to rapidly adjust exposure in 1/4, 1/3, or full stops.
  When the clear glass filter is installed in the adapter, there is no light loss or change in speed. When using the built-in ND filter cartridge, there is a reduction in exposure (in a 2-7 stop range, depanding on the setting).

Note that the two RED Z camera adapters cannot be used with Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, including the ZR.

Autofocus lenses

All of the third-party autofocus Z-mount lenses are shown in the Table of Z-mount lenses.

Third-party teleconverters

There is a third-party teleconverter from Viltrox made for the Nikon Z-mount:

• Viltrox Teleconverter TC-2.0X Z — a 2.0x teleconverter

It is compatible with the following Nikkor lenses:

Autofocus/electronic adapters

As described earlier, the short Z-mount flange distance coupled with the large throat diameter allows for numerous lenses of nearly all other current and previous mounts to be used with an appropriate lens mount adapter on a Z-mount camera.

• For Canon EF lenses
  • The Fringer EF-NZ adapter provides full electronic integration (autofocus, image stabilization, aperture control). The EF-NZ II revision removes the tripod foot for better handling with vertical grips (much like Nikon's FTZ II did) and adds weather-sealing.
  • The Techart TZC-01 also provides full electronic integration.
  • The Viltrox EF-Z adapter appears identical to the Fringer EF-NZ.
  • The Viltrox EF-Z2 has a built-in 0.7x focal reducer ("speed booster").
  • The Megadap EFTZ21 provides full electronic integration and autofocus, with an extra configurable control ring and a lens function button (L-Fn).
• For Contax G lenses
  • The Techart TZG-01 adapts Contax G lenses with mechanical autofocus to Nikon Z. The Contax G system is somewhat similar to the older screw-drive Nikon AF system, but unlike the Nikon system, Contax G lenses do not have a manual focus ring. This makes Contax G unusually difficult to adapt to mirrorless cameras. It is not compatible with the Nikon Z9 and Z8.
  • The Shoten GTZ, similarly to the Techart TZG-01, adapts Contax G lenses with mechanical autofocus. It also has a micro-USB port on the bottom for firmware upgrades.
• For Fujifilm X mount lenses
  • The Boryoza XF-Z adapts Fujinon XF lenses with autofocus to Nikon Z.
• For Leica M mount lenses
  • The Fotodiox LM-NKZ-PRN is another autofocus Leica M to Z adapter.
  • The Megadap MTZ11 contains a focusing helicoid with 6.5 mm of extension which is used for autofocus. This range is sufficient to cover the full focusing range of lenses up to around 50 mm focal length.
  • The Techart TZM-01 is similar to the Megadap MTZ11 and enables autofocus with M-mount lenses.
  • The Techart TZM-02 is a refined version of the TZM-01 with better autofocus performance.
  • The TTArtisan M-Z 6-Bit adapter doesn't provide autofocus, but has a reader for Leica's 6-bit lens codes. This makes 6-bit coded lenses behave like Ai-P lenses on the FTZ, except with no aperture control (as rangefinder lenses use pre-set apertures): EXIF data is automatically recorded, IBIS is set to the correct focal length and focus confirmation is supported.
• For Nikon F-mount lenses
  • The Viltrox NF-Z is largely identical to Nikon's original FTZ adapter, both in function and form. Like the FTZ, autofocus does not function with screw-drive AF/AF-D lenses. It has a USB-C port for firmware updates.
  • The MonsterAdapter LA-FZ1 is the first adapter that allows F-mount screw-driven AF and AF-D lenses to be used on Z cameras with full autofocus. It was showcased at CP+ 2025. Per their website, it "does NOT include autofocus support for AF-I, AF-S, and AF-P lenses, nor support of EMD electromagnetic aperture and lens VR."
• For Nikon 1-mount lenses
  • There are no adapters, due in equal parts to the minimal flange difference (17mm on the 1-mount vs. 16mm on the Z-mount), vignetting from the small imaging circle (1-series was designed for the small CX format), and the short life that the lenses were manufactured (less than 7 years).
• For Nikon IX-mount lenses
  • There are no commercially available adapters, as the IX lenses feature a protruding rear element and shroud, along with lacking a traditional mechanical aperture ring. However, as the IX-Nikkor lenses use the same electronic communications as Nikkor AF F-mount lenses with distance encoding (AF-D), they may be adapted, at a potential risk, to Z-mount cameras in DX (cropped sensor) mode.
• For Nikon S-mount lenses
  • Outer bayonet: The Roxsen Nikon S mount rangefinder lens to Nikon Z mount mirrorless adapter can be used to mount outer bayonet rangefinder lenses. As these are manual lenses with a short flange distance, they use manual focus and manual exposure control.
  • Inner bayonet: No adapters exist.
• For Sony E-mount lenses
  • The Fotodiox Pro Fusion SNE-NKZ adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization, as well as lens function button support.
  • The Megadap ETZ11 is similar to the Techart TZE-01/02 and adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization support. In contrast to the Techart adapter, the ETZ11 can be mounted on the Z50 and Zfc.
  • The Megadap ETZ21 and ETZ21 Pro are improved versions of the ETZ11, and provide full function E-mount support, including autofocus, image stabilization, full-time manual focus, and support for programmable lens buttons and aperture rings.
  • The Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ has weather sealing, improved mechanical structure. It is compatible with the Sony LA-EA5 A-to-E mount adapter, therefore it also supports Sony A-mount lenses through stacking the LA-EA5 on the ETZ21 Pro+. It is also compatible with RED Z-mount cameras.
  • The Meike Mount Adapter ETZ is compatible with a wide range of Sony, Tamron, Sigma and Meike lenses with Sony E-mount, and supports autofocus, aperture control, EXIF and image stabilization.
  • The Techart TZE-01/TZE-02 allows mounting Sony E-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras with full electronic integration. This adapter cannot be mounted on the Z50 or the Zfc.
  • The Viltrox E-Z AF Lens Mount Adapter adapts E-mount lenses with autofocus and full electronic integration. Also supports adapter firmware upgrades.
• For Sony A-mount lenses
  • Stack the Sony LA-EA5 adapter on the Megadap ETZ21 Pro+ adapter, to adapt selected lenses (from A to E, then E to Z mount).

Accessory port

The Z9 and Z8 use the same circular 10-pin accessory port (for a remote shutter release, external GPS receiver, etc.) as previous "pro-grade" Nikon DSLRs (such as the D3/D4/D5/D6 series).

The Z6/Z7 (and their successors) and the Z5 use the rectangular 8-pin accessory port introduced with the D90 and used on most other Nikon DSLRs since.

The Z30/Z50/Zfc/Zf (and their successors) and the Z5II/Z5IIC do not have an accessory port.

The ZR does not have the same type of accessory port, but rather, it has a digital accessory shoe for two-way communication. This allows the camera to supply power and send data to and receive data from attached compatible microphones and tally lamps.

Flashes

All Nikon Z cameras (other than the ZR, which has a digital accessory shoe) have a hot shoe, which allows the use of the same iTTL flash system (Nikon CLS) as Nikon DSLRs, which remains fully backward compatible and with third-party flashes and flash transmitters.

Third-party flashes can be used on Z-mount cameras, as long as they have the same basic hot shoe design; standards define the two pins required to trigger the flash. However, they won't be integrated into the Z-system menus, and need to have the power adjusted manually and have the user be mindful of the maximum sync speed limits of the camera.

Batteries

Nikon Z cameras can be powered by both a custom battery and, except for the original Z50, directly via a USB-C cable.

The battery in the camera powers every electronic component required to operate the camera, including the image sensor and processor, autofocus system, EVF and LCD, IBIS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, media reading and writing, and built-in flash. It additionally powers the electronic components of lenses, including autofocus motors, electronic aperture control, image stabilization, power zoom, and communication with the camera.

Each camera uses one of the three proprietary lithium-ion batteries. The battery is rechargeable in-camera via USB-C PD (USB Power Delivery) (except for the original Z50), along with being rechargeable outside the camera using an external Nikon charger.

Each of the battery types has multiple variants, as they improve on the designs over the years, increasing the capacity and adding the USB-C charging where the original variants did not support it. Most Z cameras use the same batteries of their "peer" DSLRs:

• The Nikon Z9 uses EN-EL18/a/b/c/d batteries, introduced with the D4.
  In-camera charging using USB-C is available from the EN-EL18b onwards (introduced in 2017).
• The Nikon Z5/Z6/Z7 (and their successors), Z8, Zf, and ZR use EN-EL15/a/b/c batteries, introduced with the D7000.
  The Z5II, Z5IIC, Z6III, Z8, Zf, and ZR do not officially support the original EN-EL15 battery, only the subsequent a/b/c versions (although the "Li-ion20" variant of the EN-EL15 does work in practice).
  In-camera charging using USB-C is supported for all of these cameras from the EN-EL15b onwards (introduced in 2018).
• Only the Nikon Z50, Z50II, Z30, and Zfc use a new battery type, the EN-EL25/a, introduced with the Z50. Previous entry-level DSLRs like the D5600 or D3500 used the EN-EL14.
  In-camera charging via USB-C is supported for all of these cameras, except for the original Z50.

Notes

Battery and remote control grips

Battery grips are available for several models:

• The MB-N10 is compatible with the Nikon Z5, Z6, Z6II, Z7, and Z7II, but is purely a battery grip with no vertical camera controls.
• The MB-N11 is compatible with the Nikon Z6II, Z7II, Z5II, and Z5IIC, and adds vertical camera controls.
• The MB-N12 is compatible with the Nikon Z8 and also has vertical camera controls.
• The MB-N14 is compatible with the Nikon Z6III, Z5II, Z5IIC, Z6II, and Z7II, and it also has vertical camera controls. It was initially released with the Z6III.

Nikon does not offer vertical battery grips for the Z50II, Z50, Z30, Zfc, Zf, and ZR. The Nikon Z9 has a built-in vertical battery grip that is integrated into its body, and thus doesn't need an add-on grip.

The MC-N10 is a remote-control grip for all Z cameras with USB-C (the first-generation Z50 is the sole camera to not use USB-C). It connects through a USB-C cable to the camera and replicates the right-hand controls of the camera body. It is designed for video applications and uses an ARRI rosette-type mount. Cameras introduced before its release require a firmware update to use it.

Notes

Wireless control

The ML-L7 Bluetooth Remote Control can be used to wirelessly control many of the functions on select Z cameras. Cameras supported are the Z30, Z50, Z50II, Zf, Zfc, Z5, Z5II, Z5iiC, Z6II, Z6III, and Z7II. It provides functions to press the shutter, movie record, power zoom, multi-selector, OK, and Fn1/Fn2.

The Nikon SnapBridge app can be used via a paired smart device to remotely control several functions of the camera, including viewing a live view, shot framing, adjusting exposure settings (such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance), doing tap-to-focus, and firing the shutter.

Underwater cases

As noted on their webpage, "Nikon does not produce underwater cases/housings for ... Z series cameras, however they are available from third-party companies."