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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 — 26mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$299

Launch price

Released Feb 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 26mm f/2.8 is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Travel

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 3 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Weight (125 g vs 1090 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Length (23.5 mm vs 203 mm)
  • 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)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has higher Max magnification (0.15 × vs 0.07 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length26 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight125 g1090 g
Min Focus28 cm30 cm
Filter Size52 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

70 × 24 mm

125 g (0.28 lb / 4.41 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

81 × 203 mm

1090 g (2.40 lb / 38.45 oz)

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 180mm shorter and 11mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S.

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 965 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
3.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 1 ED

  • Weight

    125 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    23.5 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • 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

  • Weather sealing

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Control ring

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.15 × vs 0.07 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • 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 26mm f/2.8 and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
26 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
26 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
8
14
Groups
7
11
Special elements
2 Aspherical, 1 ED
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Min focus distance
28 cm−2 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
0.07 ×
0.15 ×2.1× more
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Weight
125 g−965 g less
1090 g
Length
23.5 mm−180 mm less
203 mm
Diameter
70 mm−11 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
52 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
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 June 2026.