Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8

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NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S compared with NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8

	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S	NikonNIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8
Overview
Released
Released	December 2018	June 2021
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	50 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/22
Macro lens
Macro lens	–	Yes
Optical construction
Optical construction	12 elements in nine groups; internal focusing	10 elements in seven groups; front focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Two ED and two aspherical elements	One ED and one aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; the maker does not list a fluorine coating for this model, despite Photography Blog describing one	Fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.8–16; electromagnetic aperture control	f/2.8–22 at infinity; effective f/5.6–32 at closest focus distance of 0.16 m. Main aperture values refer to infinity
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 47°; DX 31°30′	FX 47°; DX 31°30′
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; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	–	Compatible with the Nikon ES-2 film digitising adapter
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.4 m	0.16 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.15×	1×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.4 m measured from the focal plane; internal focusing	Minimum 0.16 m from the focal plane; front lens barrel extends when focusing close. Limiter selects FULL or 0.16–0.30 m close range, rather than excluding close distances as Digital Camera World states
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.15× according to Nikon Japan's specifications	Maximum 1× life-size reproduction; barrel markings indicate 1:2, 1:1.4 and 1:1. Nikon UK states approximately 5 cm between the lens front and subject at closest focus
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	No lens optical VR; compatible cameras may provide in-body stabilisation
Video features
Video features	Near-silent autofocus, reduced focus breathing and smooth aperture changes	Near-silent autofocus and a silent control ring
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	62 mm	46 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	76 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	86.5 mm	66 mm
Weight
Weight	415 g	260 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Combined focus/customisable control ring and AF/manual switch; no distance scale, as Photography Blog notes	Combined focus/customisable control ring, AF/manual switch and close-range focus limiter; focus-distance and reproduction-ratio indicators appear on the extending barrel according to Nikon's release
Filter detail
Filter detail	62 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	46 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	Nikon USA describes dust and drip resistance; not a waterproof rating. Fluorine front coating resists dirt and smudges
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 76 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm from mount flange; barrel extends during close focusing
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 415 g	Approximately 260 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-90 included	HN-41 included
In the box
In the box	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-90 hood and CL-C1 case	LC-46B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HN-41 hood and CL-C1 case
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	Nikon USA states late-June 2021 availability. Earliest exact global and first UK retail day unconfirmed, so month precision retained