Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ | NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2025 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 28–135 mm | 16–50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 18 elements in 13 groups | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Three ED elements, one aspherical ED element and four aspherical elements | One ED and two aspherical elements |
| Aperture detail | – | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range |
| Coatings | Meso Amorphous Coat and fluorine coating on the front element | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 75° to 18°10′; DX 53° to 12° | 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 | – | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.34 m | 0.15 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25× | 0.24× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping motor autofocus and internal focusing | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focal-plane distances of 0.34 m at 28, 35 and 50 mm; 0.39 m at 70 mm; 0.43 m at 85 mm; 0.49 m at 105 mm; 0.57 m at 135 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 0.25× at 55–135 mm | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical VR, confirmed by Digital Camera World; camera 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 | Focus-breathing suppression, linear manual-focus support and power zoom; Hi-Res Zoom synchronisation requires a supported camera and suitable firmware | 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 | 95 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 105 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 177.5 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 1,210 g | 330 g (better) |
| Controls | Zoom rocker, electronically coupled zoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, two L-Fn buttons and A–M switch; no mechanically driven manual zoom 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 | Internal power zoom with eleven selectable speeds on compatible cameras; adjustable zoom-ring direction and rotation angle, with firmware and camera compatibility requirements | 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 | 95 mm screw-in filter thread; HB-116 rectangular hood has a filter adjustment window | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Maker dust and drip-resistant design; protection is not guaranteed in every condition | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 105 mm maximum diameter × 177.5 mm from the mount flange | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1,210 g including tripod collar, used in the main specifications; approximately 1,120 g without it | Approximately 330 g |
| Lens hood | – | HB-118 included |
| Tripod mount | Tripod collar with removable foot | – |
| In the box | LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-116 hood and CL-C5 case | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood |
| Release detail | Nikon USA specified April 2025 retail availability; the February announcement date is not used as the on-sale date | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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