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Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Photo 1 of 7

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S · Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon · NIKKOR

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Released December 2020

A full-frame f/1.2 standard prime with two stepping motors, an OLED information display and separate focus and control rings.

Mount
Nikon Z mount
Focal length
50 mm
Max aperture
f/1.2
Stabilisation
No
Weight
1,090 g

What reviewers say

Both praise its sharpness, smooth background blur, robust construction and useful display and controls, while finding the size, weight and price substantial compared with the 50mm f/1.8 S. Photography Blog finds fast, quiet autofocus and little troublesome fringing, flare or distortion. Digital Camera World finds excellent autofocus accuracy, strong centre sharpness even at f/1.2 and corners that improve when stopped down. It notes pronounced shading near maximum aperture and defocused lights that become visibly nine-sided around f/1.8 and narrower. Both consider the f/1.8 model sufficient for many users unless the brighter aperture and extra background separation are particularly valuable.

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

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
50 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.2
Minimum aperture
f/16
Optical construction
Seventeen elements in fifteen groups
Special elements
Two ED and three aspherical elements
Coatings
Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coat; Nikon USA also specifies Super Integrated Coating
Aperture detail
f/1.2 maximum; f/16 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
FX 47°; DX 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 75 mm lens on full frame

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.15×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Multi-focusing system with two stepping motors moving two smaller focusing groups, according to Nikon USA
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing; minimum 0.45 m measured from focal plane
Magnification detail
Maximum reproduction ratio 0.15×
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation, as Camera Labs confirms; compatible bodies can provide sensor-shift stabilisation
Video features
Nikon describes quiet focusing, reduced focus breathing, stable exposure and smooth aperture adjustment through the control ring

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
89.5 mm
Length
150 mm
Weight
1,090 g
Controls
Focus ring, separate programmable control ring, L-Fn button, A/M switch and DISP button; OLED shows aperture, focus distance and depth of field
Filter detail
82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Seals around moving barrel parts and rubber sealing around the metal mount, according to Nikon UK
Dimensions detail
Approximately 89.5 × 150 mm, distance to end of lens measured from camera lens mount flange
Weight detail
Approximately 1090 g
Lens hood
HB-94 included, reversible for transport
In the box
LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-94 hood and CL-C2 case
Release detail
Nikon USA specifies December 2020 availability; month precision retained

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 maximum aperture
  • OLED aperture, focus-distance and depth-of-field display
  • Separate control ring and programmable L-Fn button

Cons

  • 1090 g weight and 150 mm length
  • No optical vibration reduction
  • Maximum reproduction ratio limited to 0.15×

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Nikon Z mount50 mmf/1.4No420 gSept 2024
Nikon Z mount50 mmf/1.8No415 gDec 2018
Nikon Z mount58 mmf/0.95–2,000 gOct 2019

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-50mm-f1.2-s
  2. nikonusa.com/p/nikkor-z-50mm-f12-s/20095/overview
  3. nikonusa.com/press-room/nikkor-z-innovation-continues-9-16
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_50mm_f1_2_s_review
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_50mm_f1_2_s_review/conclusion
  6. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/nikon-z-50mm-f12-s-review
  7. cameralabs.com/nikon-z-50mm-f1-2-s-review

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

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