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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S — 24–120mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Oct 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 24-120mm f/4 S is 11 months newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

TravelLandscape

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm 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 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Weight (630 g vs 1090 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Length (138 mm vs 203 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length24-120 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight630 g1090 g
Min Focus38 cm30 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
6.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
6.5Good
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 24-120mm f/4 S

  • Weight

    630 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 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

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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 24-120mm 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

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

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 24-120mm f/4 S and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
120 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
20
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm 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 24-120mm f/4 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 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
70 mm−11 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm 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.