Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonAF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	August 2013	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–140 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–5.6	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–38	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	17 elements in 12 groups	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	One ED element and one aspherical element	One ED and two aspherical elements
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	DX 76°–11°30′; Nikon gives a 27–210 mm equivalent field of view	DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon F mount; DX/APS-C image circle	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.23×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override; Photography Blog confirms internal focusing and a non-rotating filter thread	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.45 m from the focal plane at every zoom position	Minimum distances from focal plane are 0.15 m at 16 mm, 0.18 m at 24 mm, 0.21 m at 35 mm and 0.25 m at 50 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum reproduction ratio 0.23×; not a life-size macro lens	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Optical VR rated at four stops under CIPA testing with a DX DSLR at the longest focal length. Photography Blog confirms no selectable Active VR mode	Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors. UK maker states up to 4.5 stops under CIPA standards with a DX camera, Normal VR mode and maximum telephoto setting. Canada announcement gives 5 stops under CIPA2024 yaw/pitch testing with Z50II at telephoto in Normal mode; these claims use different stated test conditions
Video features
Video features	–	Suppressed focus breathing and quiet focusing. Nikon Canada specifies Z50II Hi-Res Zoom for Full HD 30p/25p/24p only; Wide-area AF (L), no displayed focus point and electronic VR off
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	78 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	97 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	490 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom and focus rings, A–M focus switch and VR on/off switch; no distance scale, focus limiter or aperture ring, as Photography Blog confirms	Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; physical zoom ring; no AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends during zooming; ePHOTOzine finds sufficient resistance to prevent creep despite the lack of a zoom lock	Barrel extends while zooming, as confirmed by both reviews; internal focusing does not change length. Focal-length markings 16, 24, 35 and 50 mm
Filter detail
Filter detail	67 mm screw-in filters; 0.75 mm thread pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews identify a rubber mount gasket without a claim of full weather sealing. No general protection rating is assigned	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 78 mm maximum diameter × 97 mm length from the lens mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 490 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-32 bayonet hood sold separately	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-67 front cap and LF-4 rear cap; hood and pouch are not included according to Nikon's launch announcement	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan records first sale on 29 August 2013; the global announcement was issued on 6 August	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained