Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR | NikonNIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2025 | June 2021 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 16–50 mm | 50 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Macro lens | – | Yes |
| Optical construction | 12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing | 10 elements in seven groups; front focusing |
| Special elements | One ED and two aspherical elements | One ED and one aspherical element |
| Coatings | – | Fluorine-coated front element |
| Aperture detail | f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range | 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 | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format | FX 47°; DX 31°30′ |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | APS-C | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format | Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras |
| Adaptor support | – | Compatible with the Nikon ES-2 film digitising adapter |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.15 m | 0.16 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.24× | 1× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing | Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | 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 | 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 | Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published | 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 | 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 | No lens optical VR; compatible cameras may provide in-body stabilisation |
| Video features | 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 | Near-silent autofocus and a silent control ring |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 46 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 74.5 mm | 74.5 mm |
| Length | 88 mm | 66 mm |
| Weight | 330 g | 260 g (better) |
| Controls | Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; physical zoom ring; no AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews | 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 |
| 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 | 67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch | 46 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition | Nikon USA describes dust and drip resistance; not a waterproof rating. Fluorine front coating resists dirt and smudges |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange | Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 66 mm from mount flange; barrel extends during close focusing |
| Weight detail | Approximately 330 g | Approximately 260 g |
| Lens hood | HB-118 included | HN-41 included |
| In the box | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood | LC-46B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HN-41 hood and CL-C1 case |
| Release detail | Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained | Nikon USA states late-June 2021 availability. Earliest exact global and first UK retail day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
More comparisons
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR