Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 compared with NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8

	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4	NikonNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8
Overview
Released
Released	September 2024	July 2023
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	50 mm	70–180 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	10 elements in seven groups; internal focusing	Nineteen elements in fourteen groups
Special elements
Special elements	One aspherical element	Five ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	–	Antifouling coating on the front-most surface
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.4–16	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 47°; DX 31°30′	FX 34°20′–13°40′; DX 22°50′–9°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras	Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× extends reach to 252 mm; TC-2.0× to 360 mm and maximum reproduction ratio to 0.96×. Nikon cautions that autofocus or electronic rangefinding may be unreliable depending on subject, lighting and focus point
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.37 m	0.27 m (autofocus)
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.48× (autofocus)
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Multi-focusing system; stepping motors; automatic or manual focusing	Stepping-motor autofocus; Nikon Japan identifies a multi-focus system
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.37 m from focal plane; no separate AF/manual distance published	Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.27 m at 70 mm, 0.33 m at 85 mm, 0.42 m at 105 mm, 0.58 m at 135 mm and 0.85 m at 180 mm. Nikon Japan explicitly confirms autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs measured 0.26 m at 70 mm in manual focus; that measured value does not replace Nikon's autofocus figure
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.17×	Nikon's maximum reproduction ratio is 0.48×, with autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs' manual-focus test at 70 mm reached 1:1.9; its closest-focus image quality was weaker outside the centre
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body	No optical VR; stabilisation depends on a compatible camera body's sensor-shift system
Video features
Video features	Suppressed focus breathing, quiet focusing and clickless control ring	Nikon describes quiet focusing and reduced breathing, but warns that breathing can remain visible depending on distance. Digital Camera World and CameraLabs both observed breathing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	62 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	74.5 mm	83.5 mm
Length
Length	86.5 mm	151 mm
Weight
Weight	420 g (better)	795 g
Controls
Controls	Separate manual focus and customisable control rings; no physical AF/manual switch or function buttons, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer	Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and zoom lock at 70 mm; no AF/MF switch, function buttons or display. Digital Camera World describes aperture, ISO and exposure-compensation assignments
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal focusing keeps lens length unchanged	Extending zoom barrel; no detachable tripod collar, as CameraLabs describes
Filter detail
Filter detail	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Designed for dust and moisture resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition	Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; complete protection is not guaranteed in all conditions
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 83.5 × 151 mm; length from lens mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 420 g	Approximately 795 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-115 included	HB-113 hood included
In the box
In the box	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-115 hood	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-113 hood and CL-C2 case
Release detail
Release detail	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	Nikon Japan gives 14 July 2023 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated mid-July 2023