Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2022 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 17–28 mm | 16–50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Thirteen elements in eleven groups | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Two ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements | One ED and two aspherical elements |
| Aperture detail | – | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range |
| Coatings | Antifouling front coating; Nikon Japan's special-content page also identifies Super Integrated Coating | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic automatic aperture | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 104°–75°; DX 79°–53° | DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.19 m | 0.15 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.19× | 0.24× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping-motor autofocus | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; minimum focal-plane distances 0.19 m at 17 mm, 0.23 m at 20 mm and 0.26 m at 24 and 28 mm | 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 | Maximum reproduction ratio 0.19× at 17 mm | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical VR; compatible camera-body stabilisation can be used | 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 | Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet autofocus, clickless control-ring operation and smooth aperture adjustment. Overall barrel length stays fixed while zooming | 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 | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 75 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 101 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 450 g | 330 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom ring and shared programmable focus/control ring; Nikon Japan describes linear manual-focus response with compatible cameras. Digital Camera World identifies aperture, ISO and exposure-compensation assignments and absence of a separate third ring, function buttons or display | 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; inner optical section moves within the outer barrel, without changing overall lens length | 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-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Dust and drip protection and antifouling front coating; Nikon does not guarantee complete resistance in all conditions | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 75 × 101 mm; length from lens mount flange | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 450 g | Approximately 330 g |
| Lens hood | HB-107 bayonet hood included | HB-118 included |
| In the box | Nikon Japan lists LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-107 hood and CL-C1 case; Photography Blog's review reported no case in its sample | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan gives 28 October 2022 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated late October 2022 | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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