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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 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S — 70–200mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Jul 2023

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S is 2.6 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Video & HybridSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S wins 3 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has lower Weight (810 g vs 1090 g)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal Length50 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight1090 g810 g
Min Focus30 cm38 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 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Portrait
9.0Excellent
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
8.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S supports it

  • Weight

    810 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    163 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

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 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 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • 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 70-200mm f/4 VR S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
f/4
Elements
14
23
Groups
11
17
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Min focus distance
30 cm−8 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.25 ×+67%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Weight
1090 g
810 g−280 g less
Length
203 mm
163 mm−40 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR 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.