NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

Released November 2019

A 405 g retractable APS-C telephoto zoom with optical VR and a programmable focus/control ring.

Mount: Nikon Z mount
Focal length: 50–250 mm
Max aperture: f/4.5–6.3
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 405 g

What reviewers say

Both regard it as a capable lightweight telephoto zoom with quick, quiet autofocus and effective stabilisation. They praise its central sharpness for the price but find weaker edges; Digital Camera World also measured a drop at 250 mm. Both accept the plastic construction as a weight-saving compromise, while Photography Blog found noticeable shading at wide apertures.

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

Specifications

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Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 50–250 mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5–6.3
Minimum aperture: f/22–32
Optical construction: Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements: One ED element
Diaphragm: Seven rounded blades
Angle of view: DX 31°30′–6°30′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Nikon Z mount
Image circle: APS-C
Compatibility: Nikon Z DX format; 75–375 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view, as Photography Blog describes

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m
Maximum magnification: 0.23×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Stepping-motor autofocus, as Photography Blog describes
Focus distance detail: 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: Maximum reproduction ratio 0.23×
Stabilisation detail: Lens-shift VR with voice-coil motors; Nikon's five-stop CIPA claim measured on an APS-C camera at maximum telephoto
Video features: Nikon describes reduced focus breathing and fast, quiet focusing

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: No
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Maximum diameter: 74 mm
Length: 110 mm
Weight: 405 g
Controls: Zoom ring and programmable focus/control ring with manual focus, aperture and exposure-compensation assignments. Digital Camera World also identifies ISO assignment
Zoom design: Button-free retractable mechanism; rotate the zoom ring to extend before shooting. Locks when retracted; barrel extends further towards 250 mm
Filter detail: 62 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance: Photography Blog reports no dust or moisture sealing and a plastic mount; Nikon UK's page does not claim weather protection
Dimensions detail: Approximately 74 mm maximum diameter × 110 mm from mount flange when retracted; shooting length is greater
Weight detail: Approximately 405 g
In the box: LC-62B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap; Photography Blog reports no supplied hood or case
Release detail: Nikon USA announced November 2019 availability with Z50 twin-lens kits

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical VR rated at five stops
Retractable barrel for storage
50–250 mm focal range

Cons

Maximum aperture narrows to f/6.3
Plastic mount and no weather sealing
No hood or case supplied

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
NikonNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR	Nikon Z mount	18–140 mm	f/3.5–6.3	Yes	315 g	Nov 2021
NikonNIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR	Nikon Z mount	24–200 mm	f/4–6.3	Yes	570 g	Jul 2020
NikonNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S	Nikon Z mount	70–200 mm	f/2.8	Yes	1,360 g	Aug 2020

Sources

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

Side view of the NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens, extended: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/158873-en-z50-250dx_4.5-6.3_angle2_extended-…
Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50–250mm f/4.5–6.3 VR, black finish, straight side profile with barrel retracted: imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_dx_50-250mmf45-63_vr/img/produc…

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