My favorite Nikon lens is made in China – do you know where YOUR Nikon cameras and glass are made?
You might assume that your Nikon camera is made in Japan, but that hasn’t been the case for years
Ever wondered where your Nikon camera or lens originates from? It may come as a surprise that Nikon gear is primarily manufactured in Asian countries, with Japan being a notable exception. Aside from Sigma, major manufacturers such as Canon, Fujifilm, Sony, Panasonic, OM System, and Ricoh also produce some of their products outside Japan, with facilities in Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, and China.
For Nikon specifically, cameras and lenses are made in Japan, Vietnam, and China, but the majority are produced in Thailand.
Nikon announced in 2020 that it would cease camera production in Japan as a cost-cutting measure. Consequently, all of Nikon's mirrorless cameras – including flagship models like the Nikon Z9 and Z5IIC – are made in Thailand. Apart from these, all other Nikon mirrorless cameras are produced in Thailand as well.
However, the manufacturing of Nikon's optical engineering marvels remains distinct. The renowned Nikon Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct and Nikon Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S, among others like the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, and Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S, are all manufactured in Japan. Even some 'holy trinity' lenses, such as the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S and Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, are also produced in Japan.
Interestingly, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II, a newer addition, is manufactured in Thailand, not Japan. Beyond Japan, Nikon cameras and optics are split between China and Thailand. For instance, the Nikon Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 is made in Vietnam, while the rest are split between China and Thailand.
Personal preference aside, some individuals may not care about the country of origin. In 2026, the manufacturing quality differences may be negligible for many. Yet, for me, there's a certain allure in owning a Nikon lens manufactured in Japan, particularly my favorite lens, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR, even though it's made in China.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
