Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2023 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Zoom |
| Focal length | 600 mm | 16–50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/6.3 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Twenty-one elements in fourteen groups | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Two ED, one SR and one Phase Fresnel element | One ED and two aspherical elements |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element | – |
| Aperture detail | f/6.3–32 | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 4°10′; DX 2°40′ | 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 | Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format |
| Image circle detail | Physical 600 mm focal length; 900 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view on DX, as both reviews note | – |
| Teleconverter support | Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0× supported; Nikon states 840 mm and 1200 mm respectively with AF and VR retained | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 4 m | 0.15 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.15× | 0.24× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping motor for quiet autofocus | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; minimum 4 m; range limiter FULL (4 m to infinity) or 10 m to infinity | 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 0.15× | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published |
| Stabilisation detail | Lens-shift VR using voice coil motors; 5.5-stop CIPA rating in Normal mode on FX, or 6.0 stops in Normal mode with a body supporting Synchro VR. Sport mode stabilises the viewfinder during continuous shooting. VR settings accessed through the camera, as TechRadar notes | 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 | Quiet operation, stable exposure and reduced focus breathing according to Nikon | 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 | 106.5 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 278 mm | 88 mm |
| Weight | 1,390 g | 330 g (better) |
| Controls | One L-Fn and four L-Fn2 buttons, memory-set button, programmable control ring, focus ring, A/M and focus-limit switches; memory recall requires the latest compatible camera firmware according to Nikon's launch announcement | Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; physical zoom ring; no AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews |
| Zoom design | – | 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 filters, 1.0 mm pitch | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Rubber gaskets protect moving parts and the mount against dust, dirt and moisture. Nikon says dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation or condition | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 106.5 mm maximum diameter × 278 mm from the lens mount flange | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1390 g without tripod collar; 1470 g with it | Approximately 330 g |
| Tripod mount | Removable tripod collar | – |
| Lens hood | HB-105A included | HB-118 included |
| In the box | LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105A hood and CL-C6 case | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood |
| Release detail | Nikon USA's October 2023 announcement states late October availability. Exact earliest global and first UK retail 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 |
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