Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR — 18–140mm f/3.5-6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$399

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is 2.1 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

TravelVideo & Hybrid

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR wins 3 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/6.3)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Weight (315 g vs 1090 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/3.5)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Length (94 mm vs 203 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 SNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Focal Length50 mm18-140 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/3.5-6.3
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight1090 g315 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm62 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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Portrait
9.0Excellent
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
6.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
7.0Good
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.5Limited
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 (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

  • 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

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    315 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Length

    94 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR supports it

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
18 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
140 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+3.1 stops wider
f/3.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+4.8 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
14
23
Groups
11
17
Special elements
Aspherical, ED
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Weight
1090 g
315 g−775 g less
Length
203 mm
94 mm−109 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
65 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
11
9
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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