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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 85mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S — 85mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S is 2.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

Portrait

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 85 cm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Length (141 mm vs 203 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has higher Max magnification (0.15 × vs 0.11 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 103 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S has lower Weight (995 g vs 1090 g)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length50 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.2
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight1090 g995 g
Min Focus30 cm85 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

81 × 203 mm

1090 g (2.40 lb / 38.45 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 85mm f/1.2 S

103 × 141 mm

995 g (2.19 lb / 35.10 oz)

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is 62mm longer and 22mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S.

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is 95 g heavier than NIKKOR Z 85mm 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 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
9.0Excellent
10.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 85 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 103 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.15 × vs 0.11 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 Aspherical

  • Length

    141 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    995 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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 85mm 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 50mm f/1.2 S and NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Elements
14
15
Groups
11
10
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
3 ED, 1 Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Min focus distance
30 cm−55 cm less
85 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×+36%
0.11 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S
Weight
1090 g
995 g−95 g less
Length
203 mm
141 mm−62 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−22 mm less
103 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z 85mm 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.