NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

Released August 2020

A 195 g full-frame standard zoom with a button-free retractable barrel and a programmable focus/control ring.

Mount: Nikon Z mount
Focal length: 24–50 mm
Max aperture: f/4–6.3
Stabilisation: No
Weight: 195 g

Zoom

What reviewers say

Both value its small size and low weight but find the short zoom range and modest maximum aperture restrictive. Photography Blog finds decent centre sharpness when stopped down, weaker edges and attractive background blur. It criticises occasional sluggish focusing, the plastic mount and the price when bought separately, finding it more appealing in a Z5 kit. Digital Camera World finds smooth controls and respectable optical performance, although centre resolution trails the larger 24–70mm f/4 S. Its corner results compare more favourably. It notes that automatic distortion correction prevents a direct comparison of uncorrected optics. Both see portability as its main appeal.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 24–50 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4–6.3
Minimum aperture: f/22–36
Optical construction: Eleven elements in ten groups
Special elements: Two ED and three aspherical elements
Aperture detail: Maximum f/4 at 24 mm and f/6.3 at 50 mm; minimum f/22 at 24 mm and f/36 at 50 mm
Diaphragm: Seven rounded blades
Angle of view: FX 84°–47°; DX 61°–31°30′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Nikon Z mount
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras; DX gives the angle of view of a 36–75 mm zoom on full frame

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.35 m
Maximum magnification: 0.17×
Optical stabilisation: No
Autofocus detail: Stepping-motor autofocus
Focus distance detail: Internal focusing; minimum distance 0.35 m from focal plane at all zoom positions
Magnification detail: Maximum reproduction ratio 0.17× at 50 mm
Stabilisation detail: No optical vibration reduction, as both reviews confirm; compatible bodies can provide sensor-shift stabilisation
Video features: Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet autofocus and smooth exposure adjustments through the control ring

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Maximum diameter: 73.5 mm
Length: 51 mm
Weight: 195 g
Controls: Zoom ring and programmable focus/control ring; control ring can adjust aperture, exposure compensation or ISO. No dedicated autofocus/manual switch, as both reviews describe
Zoom design: Button-free retractable barrel operated by rotating the zoom ring; lens must be extended for shooting
Filter detail: 52 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance: Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; no waterproof rating stated
Dimensions detail: Approximately 73.5 × 51 mm; 51 mm is measured from camera lens mount flange with lens retracted
Weight detail: Approximately 195 g
Lens hood: HB-98 hood is optional, sold separately
In the box: LC-52B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap; CL-C4 case is optional
Release detail: Nikon Japan gives 28 August 2020 as the on-sale date; July 2020 was the announcement month

Pros and cons

Pros

195 g weight and 51 mm retracted length
Minimum focus distance of 0.35 m throughout the zoom range
Programmable focus/control ring

Cons

Short 24–50 mm zoom range
Maximum aperture narrows to f/6.3 at 50 mm
No optical stabilisation; hood and case sold separately

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S	Nikon Z mount	24–70 mm	f/4	No	500 g	Sept 2018
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S	Nikon Z mount	24–70 mm	f/2.8	No	805 g	Apr 2019
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S	Nikon Z mount	24–120 mm	f/4	No	630 g	Dec 2021

Sources

Photo: Nikon exact-model UK product gallery; complete supplied angled lens photograph and native alpha retained

Side view of the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, extended: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161626-en-z24-50_4-6.3_angle2_extended-vEFA7…
Side view of the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens, retracted: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161627-en-z24-50_4-6.3_angle2_retracted-v246…
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens mounted on a Nikon Z5, top view; camera body is cropped in the maker image: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/168775-en-z5_24-50_4-6.3_top-32-vB43B9912382…
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–50mm f/4–6.3: retracted lens on supplied gradient studio background: Nikon official exact-model UK product page; complete supplied photograph, background and framing retained
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 front: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_front.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 front34l off: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_front34l_off.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 front34r: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_front34r.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 left off: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_left_off.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 right: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_right.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 top: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_top.jpg
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — Z5 24-50 4-6-3 tilt monitor: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z5_24-50_4-6-3_tilt_monitor.jpg

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