Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonNIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	April 2024	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	28–400 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4–8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–45	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	21 elements in 15 groups; internal focusing	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Four ED and three aspherical elements	One ED and two aspherical elements
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–22 at 28 mm; f/8–45 at 400 mm	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 75°–6°10′; DX 53°–4°	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	0.2 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.35×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum distances from focal plane are 0.2 m at 28 mm, 0.36 m at 35 mm, 0.5 m at 50 mm, 0.57 m at 70 mm, 0.6 m at 105 mm, 0.8 m at 200 mm and 1.2 m at 300–400 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
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.35× at 28 mm	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors; five stops to CIPA standards in Normal mode at maximum telephoto. Up to 5.5 stops with compatible Synchro VR bodies, measured in Normal mode; this second claim does not separately specify a focal length	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	Quiet stepping-motor autofocus; support for linear manual focus drive	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	84.5 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	141.5 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	725 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom, focus and customisable control rings; zoom-lock switch; no physical AF/manual switch, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer	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 14.2× zoom; 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	Sealing around the mount and moving barrel parts provides dust and drip resistance; Nikon does not guarantee it in all conditions	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 84.5 mm maximum diameter × 141.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 725 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-114 square hood included; Nikon permits shooting with it inverted	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-114 hood and CL-C2 case	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Canada states mid-April 2024 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained