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Nikon

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR — 12–28mm f/3.5-5.6 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$359

Launch price

Released Dec 2022

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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Video & Hybrid

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/5.6)
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Weight (205 g vs 778 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/3.5)
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.17 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VRFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length12-28 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/3.5-5.6f/1.2
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight205 g778 g
Min Focus38 cm40 cm
Filter Size62 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VRFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
2.5Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.0Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
5.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.5Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    205 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR supports it

  • Length

    79 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/3.5 — 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

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ 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

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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/3.5
f/1.2+3.1 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/1.2+4.4 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
12
10
Special elements
Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
38 cm−2 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+47%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
205 g−573 g less
778 g
Length
79 mm−29 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
65 mm−22 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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