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Nikon

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S — 105mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2021

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — 50mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,099

Launch price

Released Dec 2020

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is 6 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Macro & Close-upPortrait

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Weight (630 g vs 1090 g)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length105 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight630 g1090 g
Min Focus28 cm30 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S supports it

  • Weight

    630 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    28 cm vs 30 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
105 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
105 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
14
14
Groups
11
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Min focus distance
28 cm−2 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
1 ×6.7× more
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Weight
630 g−460 g less
1090 g
Length
138 mm−65 mm less
203 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.