Nikon will expand its mirrorless lens lineup to 50+ lenses by 2025, according to the company’s latest investor report.
Nikon currently offers 26 or 27 Z lenses, depending on how you count them – which means that we should see at least 23 new Z-mount lenses debut over the next few years, even as the company continues to develop its camera lineup for both beginners and advanced shooters.
What lenses can you expect? Nikon’s latest roadmap drops hints for seven upcoming products:
- A 12-28mm DX zoom
- A 200-600mm super-telephoto zoom
- A 24mm DX lens
- A 26mm lens
- An 85mm S-line lens
- A 400mm S-line lens
- A 600mm S-line lens
Of course, that leaves many future lenses unaccounted for, though I’d certainly wager that we’ll get a 70-200mm f/4 lens, designed as a low-cost 70-200mm f/2.8 alternative. Look for a 500mm f/4 S-line lens, designed for bird and wildlife photographers, and several wider primes (including, perhaps, a 14mm f/2.8 and/or a 35mm f/1.4).
Once Nikon has covered all its more “conventional” bases, keep an eye out for the specialty lenses: fisheye primes and/or zooms, additional macro primes, and tilt-shift glass. In the meantime, Nikon mirrorless shooters can still gain access to basic and specialty models via the FTZ adapters.
How will this position Nikon vis-à-vis its two biggest competitors, Sony and Canon?
Currently, Canon offers around 25 RF lenses, and the company will reportedly launch around 30 more over the next four years, which would put its lineup at approximately 50 lenses by the beginning of 2025 – precisely on par with Nikon’s roadmap.
Sony has concentrated on developing its mirrorless lens lineup for the better part of a decade, and the current E-mount range features a whopping 70+ lenses. Sony hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, either, so for now – and for the foreseeable future – Sony will continue to lead the pack.
But for most photographers, it may not matter; if Nikon and Canon continue to produce lenses as planned, all three companies should soon have expansive, well-rounded systems to satisfy beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals.
Now over to you:
What lenses are you looking forward to from Nikon, Canon, and Sony? Are you waiting for any personal “must-have” glass? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
