If you are searching for the best budget wildlife lenses for Nikon Z1 in 2025, you have reached the right place, and believe me, you don’t need a fat wallet to capture amazing or jaw-dropping shots of a deer or an elephant with your Z camera.
See, it doesn’t actually depend on whether you are using a Nikon Z50 camera or even a Nikon Z30 or maybe a Z6 Mark II or Z9 camera. The affordable telephoto lenses that we have listed in this guide can deliver the reach as well as the sharpness you crave without paying the premium price tag.
This guide was updated on March 10, 2025, and carries all the best top budget-friendly Nikon Z-mount lenses for wildlife photography, which also includes the ultra-popular entry-level DX 50-250mm lens. It also includes the native Tamron 70-300mm lens and the long-reaching Tamron 150-500mm, plus a bonus spotlight for the Nikon 180-600mm. This is the ultimate guide for the Nikon Z wildlife lens lineup.
1. Best Budget Native Zoom Lens: Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
- Price: ~ $350 [ Amazon.com – B&H ]
- Focal Length: 50-250mm (75-375mm equivalent on APS-C)
- Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
- Weight: 405g (14.3 oz)
Why It’s the Top Budget Pick:The Nikkor DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR is the king of budget wildlife photography lenses for the Nikon Z-mount APS-C cameras like the Nikon Z30, Z50 Mark II, or even the Zfc. The lens costs only $350, which is a steal, stretching to an effective focal length of 75-375mm when the 1.5x crop factor is applied. So with this budget lens over the Z50 body or the Zfc body, you are getting a 400mm equivalent reach of a full-frame camera.
This lens also features 5 stops of vibration reduction (VR) to ensure that the images you capture are tack-sharp even when shot while holding the camera in your hand. The overall handling experience is great since the weight of the lens is only 400 grams, helping you shoot for longer hours without experiencing physical strain.
However, after using it for a while, I can say that you may get soft corners at 250mm, but apart from that, its performance is outstanding. So, for beginner APS-C shooters who are seeking the best budget wildlife lens for Z-mount cameras, this is an unbeatable choice.
2. Best Budget Mid-Tier Native Lens: 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
- Price: ~$700 USD [B&H Store and Amazon.com]
- Focal Length: 70-300mm (105-450mm equivalent on APS-C)
- Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
- Weight: 545g (19.2 oz)
Why It’s a Steal Deal for You: The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD brings the benefits of a native Z-mount brilliance to wildlife photography for under $700.
We all know Tamron makes Nikkor-branded lenses, including the 28-75mm f/2.8 RXD, the ultra-popular lens for wedding photographers. That said, the 70-300mm lens operates very similarly to a native mount lens.
With a 70-300mm range, you are effectively getting a 105-450mm equivalent focal length on a DX-format body, making it ideal for capturing large animals and sometimes birds when they are close to you. The lens is weather-resistant but lacks inbuilt optical image stabilization. The overall weight of the lens is 545 grams, making it very portable.
If you are using this lens with your DX-format body, it’s highly recommended to have a hybrid monopod with you to get stable and clear shots. The biggest advantages of this lens are its minimal fringing and compatibility with full-frame cameras, making it a top contender among affordable Nikon Z wildlife lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras.
3. Best Budget 3rd Party Telephoto Lens: Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Price: ~$1,200 USD [ B&H Store | Amazon.com]
- Focal Length: 150-500mm (225-750mm equivalent on APS-C)
- Aperture: f/5-6.7
- Weight: 1,725g (60.8 oz)
Why It’s the Reach King: We have termed this lens as the “Reach King” since the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is the best budget 3rd-party lens for Nikon Z-mount wildlife shooters who really need serious telephoto capability.
Just imagine—if you put this lens on a DX body, which costs approximately $1,200, it will give you an equivalent focal length of somewhere around 225-750mm. So, if you are into bird photography, this lens on a DX body will deliver phenomenal results.
The VXD autofocus locks on very fast, and the lens features 4 stops of vibration compensation, allowing you to take handheld shots at 500mm. In terms of sharpness, it is quite sharp throughout the zoom range, but the aperture demands a good low-light body, which we already have in the Z-mount lineup, starting from the Z50 to the Zfc.
Due to its construction, made for full-frame mounts, you can also use this lens on Nikon Z6II, Z7II, and Z8 bodies. The weather-sealed, tripod-ready lens weighs approximately 1.7 kg, making it a game-changing budget wildlife lens for Nikon Z-mount enthusiasts craving pro-level reach.
4. Bonus Budget Mega Zoom: Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- Price: ~$1,700 USD [B&H Store – Amazon.com]
- Focal Length: 180-600mm (270-900mm equivalent on APS-C)
- Aperture: f/5.6-6.3
- Weight: 1,955g (69 oz)
Why It’s Worth the Extra Cash?: If you want to stretch the budget, then we have an amazing option for you—the Nikkor Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, the ultimate wildlife lens for Z-mount in 2025. At $1,700, its price is higher, but still a steal compared to $3,000 lenses offering the same focal length.
Since we are making a budget guide, we are keeping the best possible lenses with a reasonable price tag and maximum focal length. When used with a DX crop body, this lens provides an effective focal length of 270-900mm.
The lens also features 5.5 stops of optical image stabilization, allowing you to take some handheld shots. Although the lens is quite heavy, it’s always recommended to have a tripod or monopod with you. The STM motors inside this lens work very fast and deliver blazing-fast autofocus.
The sharpness of this lens is excellent from end to end, and it is a weather-sealed internal zoom lens built for professional use. For Nikon Z shooters who are ready to invest in this lens, it truly redefines affordable wildlife photography with unmatched versatility.
Budget Nikon Z Wildlife Lens Comparison Table
| Lens | Price | Focal Length (APS-C) | Weight | Best For |
| Nikon Z DX 50-250mm VR | $350 | 75-375mm | 405g | APS-C, Beginners |
| Tamron 70-300mm RXD | $700 | 105-450mm | 545g | Full-Frame, Mid-Tier |
| Tamron 150-500mm VC VXD | $1,200 | 225-750mm | 1,725g | Long Reach, Hybrid |
| Nikon Z 180-600mm VR (Bonus) | $1,700 | 270-900mm | 1,955g | Serious Enthusiasts |
Why These Are the Best Wildlife Lenses for Nikon Z-Mount
Unlike the costly options flooding list of other lists or websites, these handpicked lenses prioritize affordability without compromising on wildlife-ready features.
- Native Z-Mount Advantage: With all the lenses I have recommended here, no adapters are needed. These lenses, including the Tamron—are built for Z-mount, ensuring seamless integration with the mount and flawless autofocus with the camera.
- Reach Meets Value: Now, we have lenses ranging from 375mm to 900mm in full-frame equivalence, giving you incredible reach without breaking the bank.
- Real-World Tested: Each handpicked lens balances cost, portability, optical quality, and all the possible setup features that a user can get within this specific price range.
Which Budget Nikon Z Lens Should You Pick?
- Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR ($350): This is best for APS-C beginners who need a cheap, lightweight starter.
- Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD ($700): Perfect for full-frame as well as APS-C users wanting native versatility.
- Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD ($1,200): Ideal for long-reach shooters / birdographers on a budget.
- Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR ($1,700): The splurge for pros on a (relative) budget.
Beat the Premium Price Trap in 2025
Why spend $3,000 when these budget wildlife lenses for Nikon Z-mount are available and even deliver excellent results? You can pair these lenses with the Nikon Z50, the recently announced Nikon Z63, or the Z8 camera and shoot nature’s wonders flawlessly – without any major financial trouble.
This guide is updated for March 2025, and this list outshines broader guides by focusing on your wallet and wildlife goals.
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