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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

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 1.9 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Travel

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 wins 2 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Weight (125 g vs 778 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Length (23.5 mm vs 108 mm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.07 ×)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length26 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight125 g778 g
Min Focus28 cm40 cm
Filter Size52 mm72 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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 85mm shorter and 17mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 653 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

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/2.8FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
3.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

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 778 g — lower is better

  • Length

    23.5 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    28 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • 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 FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × 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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
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
10
Special elements
2 Aspherical, 1 ED
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
28 cm−12 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.07 ×
0.17 ×2.4× more
Autofocus motor
Stepping motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
125 g−653 g less
778 g
Length
23.5 mm−85 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
70 mm−17 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
52 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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