Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

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NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 compared with NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

	NikonNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
Overview
Released
Released	July 2023	November 2019
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	70–180 mm	50–250 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4.5–6.3
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22–32
Optical construction
Optical construction	Nineteen elements in fourteen groups	Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Special elements	Five ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements	One ED element
Coatings
Coatings	Antifouling coating on the front-most surface	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 34°20′–13°40′; DX 22°50′–9°	DX 31°30′–6°30′
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	Nikon Z DX format; 75–375 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view, as Photography Blog describes
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)	0.5 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.48× (autofocus)	0.23×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping-motor autofocus; Nikon Japan identifies a multi-focus system	Stepping-motor autofocus, as Photography Blog describes
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	Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.5 m at 50 mm, 0.52 m at 70 mm, 0.58 m at 100 mm, 0.65 m at 135 mm, 0.83 m at 200 mm and 1 m at 250 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 reproduction ratio 0.23×
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR; stabilisation depends on a compatible camera body's sensor-shift system	Lens-shift VR with voice-coil motors; Nikon's five-stop CIPA claim measured on an APS-C camera at maximum telephoto
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	Nikon describes reduced focus breathing and fast, quiet focusing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	62 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	83.5 mm	74 mm
Length
Length	151 mm	110 mm
Weight
Weight	795 g	405 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	Zoom ring and programmable focus/control ring with manual focus, aperture and exposure-compensation assignments. Digital Camera World also identifies ISO assignment
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extending zoom barrel; no detachable tripod collar, as CameraLabs describes	Button-free retractable mechanism; rotate the zoom ring to extend before shooting. Locks when retracted; barrel extends further towards 250 mm
Filter detail
Filter detail	67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch	62 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; complete protection is not guaranteed in all conditions	Photography Blog reports no dust or moisture sealing and a plastic mount; Nikon UK's page does not claim weather protection
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 83.5 × 151 mm; length from lens mount flange	Approximately 74 mm maximum diameter × 110 mm from mount flange when retracted; shooting length is greater
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 795 g	Approximately 405 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-113 hood included	–
In the box
In the box	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-113 hood and CL-C2 case	LC-62B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap; Photography Blog reports no supplied hood or case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan gives 14 July 2023 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated mid-July 2023	Nikon USA announced November 2019 availability with Z50 twin-lens kits