Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED compared with AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
NikonAF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E EDNikonAF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2016June 2011
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length105 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16f/16
Optical construction14 elements in nine groupsSeven elements in six groups
Special elementsThree ED glass elementsOne aspherical element
CoatingsNano Crystal Coat; fluorine coatings on front and rear elementsSuper Integrated Coating
Aperture detail–f/1.8–16; no aperture ring
DiaphragmNine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture controlSeven rounded blades
Angle of viewFX 23°10′; DX 15°20′FX 47°; DX 31°30′
Mount and compatibility
MountsNikon F mountNikon F mount
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityNikon F mount with FX coverage; requires a camera supporting the E-type electromagnetic diaphragm. Nikon's announcement lists compatible bodies including the D5, D810, D750, D500 and D7200; not universally compatible with older F-mount bodiesNikon F mount; full-frame/FX coverage, also usable on DX cameras. Built-in autofocus motor supports Nikon DSLRs without an in-body focus motor, as Photography Blog confirms
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.13×0.15×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailSilent Wave Motor with M/A manual-priority autofocus and M manual focus; Photography Blog confirms internal focusing and a non-rotating frontSilent Wave Motor with manual focus override
Focus distance detailNikon specifies minimum 1 m. Camera Labs reaches 0.93 m in manual focus; the maker's figure is retainedMinimum 0.45 m; Photography Blog confirms the outer barrel's length stays unchanged and the filter thread does not rotate during focusing, while noting this is not a true internal-focus lens
Magnification detailNikon specifies maximum 0.13×. Camera Labs obtains 1:6.3 in manual focus; this measured result is not substituted for the maker figureMaximum 0.15×; not a life-size macro lens
Stabilisation detailNo lens optical VR, confirmed by Camera LabsNo lens optical VR
Video featuresCamera Labs measures a 28% increase in magnification focusing from infinity to 1.05 m, indicating substantial focus breathing–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter82 mm58 mm
Maximum diameter94.5 mm72 mm
Length106 mm52.5 mm
Weight985 g185 g (better)
ControlsWide focus ring, distance window and M/A–M switch; no aperture ringManual focus ring, M/A–M switch and focus-distance window; Photography Blog notes depth-of-field markings for f/16 only and no focus limiter
Filter detail82 mm screw-in filters58 mm screw-in filters
Weather resistanceNikon USA states the lens is sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture. Camera Labs describes only the visible mount gasket; the maker's broader sealing claim is retained without implying waterproofingBoth reviews confirm a rubber seal at the metal mount. Broader barrel sealing is not established, so no general weather-resistance rating is assigned
Dimensions detailApproximately 94.5 mm diameter × 106 mm length from the mount, according to Nikon's CIPA-based figuresApproximately 72 mm maximum diameter × 52.5 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 985 g by Nikon's CIPA-based figure; Camera Labs measures 979 g without the hoodApproximately 185 g according to Nikon; Photography Blog reports 187 g, which is not substituted for the maker figure
Lens hoodHB-79 bayonet hood includedHB-47 included
In the boxLC-82 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-79 hood and CL-1218 soft caseLC-58 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-47 bayonet hood and CL-1013 pouch
Release detailNikon Japan records first sale on 26 August 2016; Nikon USA's announcement specifies late August availabilityNikon USA's April 2011 announcement states 16 June availability. Earliest exact global and first UK day unconfirmed, so June precision retained. Photography Blog's URL includes DX and its image captions refer to 24mm, but the actual review tests this FX 50mm f/1.8G

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