Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens vs AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
Buy the 24-120mm f/4 if you want one lens that covers wide to telephoto and costs far less. Buy the 24-70mm f/2.8 if you shoot weddings, events or portraits in dim light and need the extra stop and better bokeh. As of November 3, 2026, the 24-120mm is $519.95 at Phoenix Photo and the 24-70mm is $1,395.00 at Willoughby's Photo Emporium, a gap of about $875.
Today the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens costs $875.05 less at its best price.
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Choose the 24-120mm f/4 if you want a single walk-around zoom with a longer reach, lighter weight and a much lower price.
- Covers 24-120mm, so one lens handles landscapes, portraits and events.
- Costs $519.95, about $875 less than the 24-70mm.
- Lighter at roughly 1.5 lb, easier to carry all day.
What separates them
| Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens | AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum aperture | Constant f/4 | Constant f/2.8 |
| Focal range | 24-120mm (5x zoom) | 24-70mm (about 2.9x zoom) |
| Price, new | $519.95 at Phoenix Photo as of November 3, 2026 | $1,395.00 at Willoughby's Photo Emporium as of November 3, 2026 |
| Weight | About 1.5 lb (710 g) | About 2.4 lb (1,070 g) |
| Filter thread | 77mm | 82mm |
| Optical design | Two ED, three aspherical elements | One aspherical ED, three aspherical, two ED and one high refractive index element |
| Weather sealing | None | Fluorine coatings on front and rear elements; dust and moisture resistant |
Price history
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens: lowest $530.61 on Nov 4 at Walmart.
- AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR: lowest $1,395.00 on Nov 4 at Willoughby's Photo Emporium.
Prices at every store
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens
- Phoenix PhotoNew
In stockReturn policy
$519.95Observed at 9:48 PM - WalmartNew
In stockSold by BLUETECH DEALSReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$530.61Free shippingVerified - Newegg.comNew
In stockSold by The Pixel Hub
$639.95Free shippingObserved at 9:48 PM - Willoughby's Photo EmporiumNew
In stock
$695.00Free shippingObserved at 9:48 PM
Also available at
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- eBayCheck price at eBay
Specs compared
| Spec | Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens | AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR |
|---|---|---|
| color | Black | Black |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Lens type | Zoom Lens | — |
| Focal length | 24–120 | — |
| Brand | 6Ave | — |
| Attachment style | Snap-On | — |
| Compatibility | Nikon | — |
| Focus type | Auto Focus | — |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | — |
| Lens diameter | 77 mm | — |
| Features |
What reviewers say
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens
Owners treat it as the dependable FX all-rounder: a wide zoom range, useful stabilization and solid build. Most criticism centers on weight and on sharpness at 120mm and f/4.
- Versatile 24-120mm range covers most shooting
- Effective VR for handheld low-light work
- Fast, quiet autofocus
- Solid build and weather sealing on the body mount
- Heavy for a walk-around lens
- Softer at 120mm and wide open
- Barrel distortion at 24mm before correction
- Price has risen since it was a common kit lens
AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
Reviewers call it a versatile, reliable performer for weddings, portraits and travel, with sharpness and bokeh standing out. One notes it is not ideal in low light.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for weddings and events?
- The 24-70mm f/2.8. The extra stop helps in dim reception halls and gives cleaner subject separation. The 24-120mm is the better one-lens travel choice.
- Is the 24-70mm f/2.8 worth the extra $875?
- Only if you regularly shoot in low light or need shallow depth of field. For daylight and travel, the 24-120mm covers more range for far less.
- Which has the longer reach?
- The 24-120mm. It adds 50mm of telephoto reach, which matters for portraits and events where you cannot move closer.
- Which is lighter to carry all day?
- The 24-120mm at about 1.5 lb versus about 2.4 lb for the 24-70mm f/2.8.
- Do both work on DX-format Nikon bodies?
- Yes. Both are F-mount FX lenses and mount on DX bodies, where the 24-120mm behaves like a 36-180mm lens.
- Which is better sealed against weather?
- The 24-70mm f/2.8. It has fluorine coatings and dust and moisture resistance. The 24-120mm has no weather sealing.