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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

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S — 50mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$599

Launch price

Released Sep 2018

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

PortraitSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S has lower Weight (415 g vs 1090 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S has lower Length (108 mm vs 203 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Focal Length50 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight1090 g415 g
Min Focus30 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 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Portrait
9.0Excellent
8.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
3.5Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
1.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
1.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • 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 aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

  • Weight

    415 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 30 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.15 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
f/1.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
f/1.8
Elements
14
14
Groups
11
11
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Min focus distance
30 cm
30 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Weight
1090 g
415 g−675 g less
Length
203 mm
108 mm−95 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
11
11
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 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.