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Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

Manufacturer: Nikon

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is a versatile Zoom lens designed for Nikon Z-mount cameras. With its solid construction and a weight of just 330g, it offers a compact and efficient solution for various photography needs. The lens features a wide 2.8f aperture, making it suitable for low-light environments and creative depth-of-field effects.

Key specifications include a 16-50mm focal length range, a built-in optical image stabilization system, and a 67mm filter size. The lens is weather-sealed, providing added durability in challenging conditions, and features a focus motor for smooth, silent autofocus. It has a minimum focus distance of 0.15m and includes a reversible lens hood.

Pros
  • The lens features a metal mount, offering increased durability and a solid connection to the camera body.
  • With a weather-sealed design, this lens is resistant to splashes and dust, making it more reliable in various shooting conditions.
  • The lens includes a silent focus motor, ensuring quiet and smooth autofocus, which is especially useful in video recording.
  • It offers a minimum focus distance of just 0.15 meters, providing good versatility for close-up shots.
  • The inclusion of 9 aperture blades and a wide 2.8f aperture contributes to smooth, aesthetically pleasing bokeh in images.
Cons
  • The lens cannot focus to infinity, limiting its use for certain types of wide-angle or landscape photography.
  • The front element of the lens rotates during focus, which may be a drawback for users who use polarizers or graduated filters.
Who is this for?

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is ideal for photographers who need a compact, versatile lens with wide aperture and optical image stabilization. It's perfect for those who shoot in varied environments, thanks to its weather-sealed design, which offers protection against splashes and dust. This lens is particularly suited for users who want a lightweight, reliable option for everyday photography and close-up shots with its short minimum focus distance of 0.15m.

Who is this NOT for?

This lens may not be the best choice for users who require infinity focus or need a lens with no rotation of the front element when focusing, especially those who frequently use polarizers or graduated filters. Its lack of infinity focus limits its application for wide-angle and landscape photography where such functionality is essential. Additionally, those seeking more specialized, high-end features might find its performance lacking for professional-level needs.

General info:
lens type Zoom
lens mount Nikon Z
release date October 2025
is weather-sealed (splashproof) ✓
Has a metal mount ✓
weight 330 g
Front element doesn't rotate ✕
Includes lens hood ✓
Lens hood is reversible ✕
filter size 67 mm

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR offers a range of useful features for photographers. It is a Zoom lens with a metal mount for added durability and a weather-sealed design to withstand splashes and dust. The lens weighs just 330g, making it lightweight for portability, and it includes a lens hood, although it is not reversible. The front element does rotate during focus, and the lens has a 67mm filter size.

Optics:
maximum focal length 50 mm
minimum focal length 16 mm
has built-in optical image stabilization ✓
magnification 3.1x

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR offers a versatile focal length range from 16mm to 50mm, making it suitable for various photography styles. It also features built-in optical image stabilization to reduce camera shake, ensuring sharper images, especially in low-light conditions. The lens provides a magnification of 3.1x for close-up shots, adding to its flexibility.

Aperture:
wide aperture (main camera) 2.8f
widest aperture at maximum focal length 2.8f
aperture blades 9
Has rounded aperture blades ✓
smallest aperture at maximum focal length 2.8f
smallest aperture at minimum focal length 22f

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR features a wide 2.8f aperture throughout its focal length range, ensuring consistent performance in low light. It uses 9 aperture blades, which help produce a smooth, circular bokeh. The lens offers a smallest aperture of 22f at the minimum focal length, maintaining flexibility in exposure settings.

Focus:
Can focus to infinity ✕
Has focus motor ✓
Has full-time manual focus ✓
has a silent focus motor built into the lens ✓
minimum focus distance 0.15 m

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR features a focus motor for smooth and fast autofocus, along with a silent focus motor built into the lens for quiet operation. It offers full-time manual focus, allowing for manual adjustments while autofocus is engaged. The lens has a minimum focus distance of just 0.15 meters, making it suitable for close-up shots, but it cannot focus to infinity.

Benchmarks:
Final Verdict

The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is a versatile and durable lens designed for everyday photography, offering a solid wide aperture and built-in optical image stabilization for sharp, low-light performance. Its compact, weather-sealed design makes it a reliable choice for photographers who need portability and protection in various conditions. While it may not be ideal for users who require infinity focus or need a non-rotating front element for filter use, it is well-suited for general photography and close-up shots. Overall, this lens delivers great value for users seeking a lightweight, all-around performer for their Nikon Z-mount camera.