Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	December 2021	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	24–120 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 13 groups; internal focusing	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements, one aspherical ED and three aspherical elements	One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings; fluorine-coated front element	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/4 maximum aperture; minimum f/22	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 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
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.35 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.39×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Multi-focusing system with two synchronised stepping motors; automatic and manual focusing	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.35 m from the focal plane at all zoom positions	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 0.39× at 120 mm, according to Nikon's Canadian announcement	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body	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	Clickless control ring, quiet focusing and reduced focus shift and breathing	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	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	84 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	118 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	630 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom, manual focus and customisable control rings; L-Fn button and AF/manual switch	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	Extending zoom barrel with internal focusing	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	77 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and drip resistance, not guaranteed in all situations; fluorine front coating repels dirt	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 84 mm maximum diameter × 118 mm from mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 630 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-102 included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-102 hood and CL-C2 case; Nikon notes that lens kits may include a different rear cap	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Australia states mid-December 2021 availability, while Nikon Canada only states within 2021. Nikon Japan's product page dates its local sale to 28 January 2022. December 2021 retained as sourced earlier retail month; exact first global day and UK day unconfirmed	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained