Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonAF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	March 2009	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	35 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Eight elements in six groups	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	One aspherical element	One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.8–22; no aperture ring. Digital Camera World confirms aperture control by a mechanical lever in the host camera	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	DX 44°	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 with a DX/APS-C image circle. Full-frame cameras require a DX crop; full-frame capture produces heavy corner shading according to Photography Blog	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	Physical 35 mm focal length; standard angle of view on DX cameras, approximately equivalent to 52.5 mm on full-frame	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.3 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.16×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual override in M/A mode; works on Nikon DX DSLRs without an in-body focus motor	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.3 m; Digital Camera World confirms internal focusing and a front element that does not rotate	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 0.16×; not a life-size macro lens	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No lens optical 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
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	52 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	70 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	52.5 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	200 g (better)	330 g
Controls
Controls	Manual focus ring and M/A–M switch; no distance scale or depth-of-field markings, as both reviews note	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 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	52 mm screw-in filters	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	–	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 70 mm maximum diameter × 52.5 mm length	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 200 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-46 included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-52 front cap, LF-1 rear cap, HB-46 bayonet hood and CL-0913 pouch	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA's February 2009 announcement states March availability; earliest exact global and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. This is the DX lens, distinct from the later full-frame 35mm f/1.8G ED; Digital Camera World's Full-frame Yes table cell contradicts its own DX description and the maker, and is not copied	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained