Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	July 2023	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	70–180 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Nineteen elements in fourteen groups	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Five ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements	One ED and two aspherical elements
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Coatings
Coatings	Antifouling coating on the front-most surface	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 34°20′–13°40′; DX 22°50′–9°	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	Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
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	0.27 m (autofocus)	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.48× (autofocus)	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping-motor autofocus; Nikon Japan identifies a multi-focus system	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	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	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	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	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR; stabilisation depends on a compatible camera body's sensor-shift system	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	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	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	67 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	83.5 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	151 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	795 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	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	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 zoom barrel; no detachable tripod collar, as CameraLabs describes	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	67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; complete protection is not guaranteed in all conditions	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 83.5 × 151 mm; length from lens mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 795 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-113 hood included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-113 hood and CL-C2 case	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan gives 14 July 2023 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated mid-July 2023	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained