Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

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NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S compared with NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

	NikonNIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
Overview
Released
Released	March 2020	September 2024
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	20 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.8	f/1.4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	Fourteen elements in eleven groups	10 elements in seven groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED and three aspherical elements	One aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.8 maximum; f/16 minimum	f/1.4–16
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 94°; DX 70°	FX 47°; DX 31°30′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.2 m	0.37 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.19×	0.17×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Nikon's launch announcement identifies a stepping motor for fast, quiet autofocus; UK page describes a multi-focusing system	Multi-focusing system; stepping motors; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing; minimum 0.2 m from focal plane; no mechanical end stops on the focus ring, as Photography Blog notes	Minimum 0.37 m from focal plane; no separate AF/manual distance published
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum reproduction ratio 0.19×	Maximum 0.17×
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No lens optical VR, as Digital Camera World confirms; compatible camera bodies can provide in-body stabilisation	No optical VR, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body
Video features
Video features	Nikon describes smooth, quiet focus and suppressed focus breathing, with silent aperture control using the control ring	Suppressed focus breathing, quiet focusing and clickless control ring
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	62 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	84.5 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	108.5 mm	86.5 mm
Weight
Weight	505 g	420 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Programmable focus/control ring and A/M switch; control ring can adjust ISO, aperture or exposure compensation; no focus-distance scale	Separate manual focus and customisable control rings; no physical AF/manual switch or function buttons, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Internal focusing keeps lens length unchanged
Filter detail
Filter detail	77 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Nikon states extensive sealing of movable barrel parts against dust and moisture; not a waterproof guarantee	Designed for dust and moisture resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 84.5 mm maximum diameter × 108.5 mm from the camera lens mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 505 g	Approximately 420 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-95 included	HB-115 included
In the box
In the box	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-95 hood and CL-C1 case	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-115 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA's February 2020 announcement specifies March 2020 availability; an earlier confirmed retail day was not found	Nikon USA states late September 2024 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. The co-marketed f/1.8 S is not treated as its predecessor