Best Overall
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G VR
Key details
- Autofocus
- AF-S silent wave
- Zoom Range
- 24-120mm, 5x
- Max Aperture
- f/4 constant
- Stabilization
- VR II
Constant f/4, VR II, and a 24-120mm range give the D750 a balanced single zoom for travel and everyday shooting. It is an FX-format Nikkor, so it uses the full sensor without the crop factor that comes with DX lenses. It holds the aperture from 24mm all the way to 120mm, unlike the 28-300 superzoom in this set, and the AF-S motor tracks moving subjects without hunting. The 24-120 walks the same territory as the 24-70mm f/2.8 workhorse but with a smaller physical footprint and a lower cost.
VR II steadies handheld shots that would otherwise blur, so cathedral interiors and evening street scenes stay usable without a tripod. The 5x range covers a full room at 24mm and then tightens to a head-and-shoulders portrait at 120mm without a lens change. Autofocus stays quiet and tracks a moving subject across the frame, which is what event coverage demands.
This fits D750 owners moving up from the kit lens who want one constant-aperture zoom for travel, events, and everyday carry without stepping into f/2.8 weight and cost. For a single-day trip where carrying a bag of primes is not part of the plan, this is the obvious walk-around pick. The honest boundary is at 24mm: barrel distortion and vignetting are visible at f/4, correctable in post, but noticeable if architecture fills the frame. If straight lines and open corners matter more than zoom range, the 24-70mm f/2.8 or a prime handles that role.
Available-light shooters will hit the f/4 ceiling in dim rooms. Indoor events without flash require higher ISO than an f/2.8 zoom or a fast prime, and the D750's high-ISO output keeps the result usable, but this lens is not the tool for a candlelit venue. Pairing it with a fast prime for low-light covers that gap while keeping the zoom for daylight.
Renewed pricing places this in the mid-range tier, well under the f/2.8 standard zoom and premium primes while delivering more range. Against the f/2.8 pro zoom, this lens trades one f-stop of light for a lighter carry and a much lower cost; against the 28-300 superzoom, it trades reach for constant aperture and cleaner optical behavior. For a D750 owner who wants one default lens on the body, the 24-120 sits between those two extremes at a price that fits a do-it-all kit.
Pros
- Strong all-around standard zoom for full-frame travel and event work.
- VR steadies handheld shots and autofocus keeps up with moving subjects.
- Strong value for a constant f/4 zoom with this range.
- 24-120mm range covers wide landscapes to tight portraits without lens swaps.
- Travel companion with constant aperture and VR in a single carry.
Cons
- At 24mm, barrel distortion and corner darkening are visible at f/4; lens profiles fix them in post.
- All-day carry weight is noticeable for a walk-around zoom; the constant f/4 optics add mass compared with kit zooms.
Constant f/4, VR, and 24-120mm range in a single FX zoom — the balanced choice for a D750 owner who wants to shoot all day without a second lens.