Nikon Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 review - Image resolution

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Nikon Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8

16 May 2023

Maciej Latałło

4. Image resolution

Tests of Nikon Z system lenses are based on the Nikon Z7 body; the RAW files, produced by that camera, were developped by neutral software such as dcraw. As we have already been able to check thoroughly optical properties of several fixed-focal instruments of this system, we think we can determine proper reference levels. Lenses reaching record revels should be able to get to 85 lpmm or so; maximum results of excellent system prime lenses might fit the range from 80 to 85 lpmm. The decency level we set at 41–43 lpmm.

Let's see how the Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 compares – its results in the frame centre, on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor, and on the edge of full frame presents a graph below.

Nikon Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 - Image resolution

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The performance in the frame centre is surprisingly good – the new model fares distinctly better than its older 28 mm brother which we praised a lot anyway. Mind you, here the bar is set even higher as the tested lens provides a wider angle of view and it is smaller.

The maximum resolution values you see at the maximum relative aperture – a great achievement with such an aperture and physical dimensions. Additionally, the lens is able to reach a result of over 78 lpmm, something really praiseworthy. We can say that, in case of the resolution in the frame centre the Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 met our expectations and then some.

Of course there are no miracles and, with such reduced physical dimensions, there have to be some compromises. They are easy to spot on the edge of the frame. First of all, you get a quite untypical perfromance with a breakdown visible near f/5.6. It is a result of quite specific performance of different off-axis aberrations and a local maximum of chromatic aberration that happens in that place exactly.

Despite that the performance on the edge of the APS-C/DX remains relatively good. Even at the maximum relative aperture images are completely useful and the maximum results of 55 lpmm allow you to say that you get images that are beyond reproach.

The situation changes on edges of full frame. At the maximum relative aperture you land a tad below the decency level. What's more, on stopping down the lens cannot spread its wings due to that untypical performance near f/5.6. As a result, on the edge of full frame it just 'crawls' along the borderline of the decency level across the whole aperture range.

As you see there are no miracles – a lens so small cannot bowl you over with its performance on the edge of the frame. The Nikkor Z 26 mm f/2.8 should be praised nevertheless because in the frame centre it fares exceedingly well and also the edge of the smaller APS-C/DX sensor doesn't provide you any reasons to complain. The compromise, visible on the edge of full frame, was completely expectable and shouldn't surprise you at all.

At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart which were saved as JPEG files along the RAW files, used for the analysis above

Nikon Z7, JPEG, f/2.8