Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	March 2023	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	85 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.2	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Fifteen elements in ten groups	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	One ED and two aspherical elements	One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/1.2–16	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Eleven rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 28°30′; DX 18°50′	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; full-frame FX and DX cameras	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	Physical 85 mm focal length; 127.5 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view on DX, as both reviews note	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.85 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.11×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Multi-focusing system with two stepping motors moving two focusing groups in synchronisation	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Internal focusing, minimum 0.85 m; manual override during autofocus. Linear manual focusing supported on selected cameras according to Nikon's announcement	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	Maximum 0.11×	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR, as Digital Camera World confirms; compatible cameras can provide in-body stabilisation	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	Quiet operation, stable aperture transitions and reduced focus breathing. Nikon cautions that breathing may still be noticeable depending on subject distance	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	82 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	102.5 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	141.5 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	1,160 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Focus ring, independent programmable control ring, L-Fn button and A/M switch; no OLED information display, as both reviews note	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	–	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	82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Magnesium-alloy body with seals around moving parts and the mount. 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
Dimensions detail	Approximately 102.5 mm maximum diameter × 141.5 mm from the lens mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 1160 g	Approximately 330 g
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-106 included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-106 hood and CL-C2 case	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA's February 2023 announcement states late March availability. Exact earliest global and first UK retail day are 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