Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonAF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR | NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2014 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 18–300 mm | 16–50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5–6.3 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22–40 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 12 groups | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Three ED glass elements and three aspherical elements | One ED and two aspherical elements |
| Aperture detail | f/3.5 maximum and f/22 minimum at 18 mm; f/6.3 maximum and f/40 minimum at 300 mm | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range |
| Diaphragm | Seven rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | DX 76°–5°20′; angle of view equivalent to 27–450 mm on FX | DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon F mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Nikon F-mount G-type CPU lens designed for DX | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.48 m | 0.15 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.29× | 0.24× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor and manual focusing available; Nikon USA identifies Silent Wave Motor | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum 0.48 m from the focal plane throughout the zoom range | 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 | Nikon Japan specifies maximum 0.29×; Digital Camera World's table gives 0.32×. The maker figure is retained | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published |
| Stabilisation detail | Four stops under CIPA conditions measured at maximum telephoto on an APS-C/DX DSLR; Normal mode, with no tripod VR | 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 | – | 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 | – | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 78.5 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 99 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 550 g | 330 g (better) |
| Controls | Focus and zoom rings; ePHOTOzine identifies a lock at 18 mm and manual focus override. Digital Camera World notes no distance scale | Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; physical zoom ring; no AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews |
| Zoom design | Rotating zoom ring with markings at 18, 35, 70, 105, 200 and 300 mm | 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 | 67 mm screw-in filters; ePHOTOzine reports a non-rotating thread during focusing | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Both reviews identify a rubber gasket at the metal mount; no general maker protection rating is assigned | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 78.5 mm maximum diameter × 99 mm from the mount | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | – | Approximately 330 g |
| Lens hood | Not included in Nikon UK's accessory list; Digital Camera World confirms the hood is sold separately, despite ePHOTOzine describing a supplied hood | HB-118 included |
| In the box | LC-67 front cap and LF-4 rear cap according to Nikon UK | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan records 24 April 2014 availability; Nikon USA's original announcement specifies May 2014 | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
More comparisons
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1
- 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
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR