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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S — 16–35mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

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 16-35mm f/4 S is 2.1 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S

Landscape

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S has lower Weight (500 g vs 1090 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S has lower Length (120 mm vs 203 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length16-35 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight500 g1090 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
2.5Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S

  • Weight

    500 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 86 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • 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 16-35mm f/4 S and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Weight
500 g−590 g less
1090 g
Length
120 mm−83 mm less
203 mm
Diameter
86 mm
81 mm−5 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 16-35mm f/4 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.