Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

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NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S compared with NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S	NikonNIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
Overview
Released
Released	December 2018	March 2026
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	50 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	12 elements in nine groups; internal focusing	18 elements in 16 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Two ED and two aspherical elements	One ED, one Super ED, two aspherical, one aspherical ED, one fluorite and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; the maker does not list a fluorine coating for this model, despite Photography Blog describing one	Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat; front-element fluorine coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.8–16; electromagnetic aperture control	f/2.8–22 throughout zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	11 blades with rounded aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 47°; DX 31°30′	FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8°
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; full-frame/FX image circle, also usable on DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Compatible with Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.4 m	0.38 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.15×	0.3×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing	Silky Swift VCM multi-focusing drive
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.4 m measured from the focal plane; internal focusing	Distances from focal plane; 0.38 m at 70/85 mm, 0.5 m at 105 mm, 0.6 m at 135 mm and 0.8 m at 200 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.15× according to Nikon Japan's specifications	Maximum 0.3× at 70 mm or 0.25× at 200 mm; no separate AF/MF distinction published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No lens optical VR; uses in-body stabilisation on compatible cameras. Nikon UK quotes up to five stops under CIPA standards for the original compatible camera system, not every Nikon Z body	Maker six-stop claim under CIPA2024 yaw/pitch/roll testing with Z6III, Synchro VR enabled, at telephoto end in Normal mode; support depends on camera
Video features
Video features	Near-silent autofocus, reduced focus breathing and smooth aperture changes	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	62 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	76 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	86.5 mm	208 mm
Weight
Weight	415 g (better)	998 g
Controls
Controls	Combined focus/customisable control ring and AF/manual switch; no distance scale, as Photography Blog notes	AF/manual switch, programmable function controls and focus limiter FULL (infinity–0.38 m) or LIMIT (infinity–5 m); control-ring clicking requires compatible camera/firmware
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Internal zoom maintains barrel length and balance
Filter detail
Filter detail	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Mount and moving barrel parts sealed against dust and water droplets; not a waterproof rating	Dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 76 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 90 mm maximum diameter × 208 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 415 g	Approximately 998 g without tripod collar ring or 1180 g with it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	–	Removable collar with Arca-Swiss screw-clamp foot; maker advises against lever clamps. Protective collar cover included.
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-90 included	HB-119 with filter-adjustment window
In the box
In the box	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-90 hood and CL-C1 case	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-119 hood and CL-C3 lens case; removable tripod collar and protective cover
Release detail
Release detail	Announced August 2018. Nikon Japan's updated November notice confirms 7 December 2018 local availability after an earlier planned date; earliest exact global and UK day unconfirmed, so December precision retained. ePHOTOzine's 2022 review introduction does not describe the original launch chronology	US maker states late March 2026; exact earliest retail day or first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained