Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonAF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR | NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2010 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 24–120 mm | 16–50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements in 13 groups | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements | One ED and two aspherical elements |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat; Digital Camera World also identifies Super Integrated Coating | – |
| Aperture detail | Constant f/4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range; G-type mechanical diaphragm control | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX and 35 mm film 84°–20°20′; DX 61°–13°20′ | 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 | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Nikon F mount with full-frame/FX coverage; also usable on DX | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.45 m | 0.15 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.24× | 0.24× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nikon internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor; manual focus possible | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum 0.45 m throughout the zoom range, measured from the focal plane | 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 UK specifies 0.24×; the current Japanese table specifies 0.23×. The UK value is retained | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published |
| Stabilisation detail | Nikon Japan specifies 3.5 stops under CIPA testing in Normal mode, on a full-frame/FX DSLR at maximum telephoto; Normal and Active modes. No tripod vibration reduction | 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 | Digital Camera World finds autofocus unsuitable for smooth video focus transitions | 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 | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 84 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 103.5 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 710 g | 330 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom ring, focus ring, distance scale and M/A–M focus switch; no aperture ring | 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 focal-length markings at 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85 and 120 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 | 77 mm screw-in filters; Nikon Japan specifies 0.75 mm thread pitch | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Camera Labs identifies a rubber seal at the mount and Digital Camera World describes weather seals; broader protection is not specified in the maker tables, so no general rating is assigned | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 84 mm diameter × 103.5 mm length from the lens mount | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 710 g | Approximately 330 g |
| Lens hood | HB-53 bayonet hood included | HB-118 included |
| In the box | LC-77 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-53 hood and CL-1218 flexible pouch | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan records first sale on 22 September 2010 | 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 NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G 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 NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G 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