Nikon Z 16-50mm f/2.8 DX VR
24~75mm equivalent (2025 ~ today)
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
Z9 Z8 Z7II Z6III Z6II Zƒ Z7 Z6 Z5II Z5 ZR Zƒc Z50II Z50 Z30
Z System Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses Flash
Nikon Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX (67mm filters, 11.6 oz. (330g), 0.5~0.8' (0.15~0.25m) close focus, 0.24× macro ratio, $897). bigger. I ordered mine at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
October 2025 Better Pictures Nikon Z Z Lenses All Nikon Lenses All Nikon All Reviews
Introduction top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This is the world's smallest and lightest f/2.8 camera-brand midrange zoom, and the world's only stabilized camera-brand APS-C midrange f/2.8 zoom. Sony's is much bigger and heavier and totally unstabilized, and Canon makes no APS-C f/2.8 zooms of any focal length. Ha!
This little gem really opens up what I've been telling everyone: it's not 2003 anymore. Today APS-C (DX) is the way to go in mirrorless, giving me the same results for which we needed full frame back in DSLR days, just with far less size, weight and expense.
I've ordered my Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
New intro top
World's smallest and lightest f/2.8 camera-brand midrange zoom.
World's only stabilized APS-C camera-brand midrange f/2.8 zoom.
Good intro top
Small.
Light.
Very close-focusing.
Fast f/2.8 - obviously.
Optically stabilized.
Bad intro
No AF/MF switch.
No Stabilizer switch.
Missing intro top
No AF/MF switch.
No Stabilizer switch.
Mounting index dot is the same white as everything else, so it doesn't stand out when you need to find it to mount your lens.
Specifications top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I've ordered my Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Compatibility
This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.
Name specifications top
Nikon calls this the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR:
NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for almost all their lenses since 1932.
Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras, only.
DX: Only covers smaller cropped sensors, otherwise uses only half the pixels of an FX camera.
VR: Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization).
It also has:
AF-P/STM: Stepper (Pulse) autofocus motor.
Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
∅67: 67mm filter thread.
Nikon's Model Number: 20133.
Optics specifications top
Nikon Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX Internal Optical Construction. Aspherical and ED elements.
12 elements in 11 groups.
1 ED element: magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced axial secondary chromatic aberration.
2 Aspherical elements.
Nikon Super Integrated multiCoating (SIC).
Diaphragm specifications top
9 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/22.
Filters specifications top
Plastic 67mm filter thread.
Focal Lengths specifications top
16-50mm.
When used on DX cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 24~75mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angles of View specifications top
88º ～ 31½º diagonal on DX.
Autofocus specifications top
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Focus Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infinity Focus Stop specifications top
No.
You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.
Depth of Field Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Infrared Focus Index specifications top
No.
Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane) specifications top
16mm: 0.5' (6" or 0.15m).
24mm: 0.6' (7.1" or 0.18m).
35mm: 0.69' (8¼" or 0.21m).
50mm: 0.82' (9.8" or 0.25m).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio specifications top
1:4.2 (0.24×).
Reproduction Ratio Scale specifications top
No.
Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.
Optical Image Stabilizer specifications top
Rated 5 stops improvement.
Caps specifications top
LC-67B 67 mm snap-on front cap, included.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included.
Hood specifications top
HB-118, included.
Case specifications top
None; use a tube sock.
Size specifications top
2.93" ø maximum diameter × 3.46" extension from flange.
74.5 mm ø maximum diameter × 88 mm extension from flange.
Weight specifications top
11.7 oz. (330 g).
Announced specifications top
12:02 AM, Thursday, 16 October 2025, NYC time.
Promised for specifications top
October 2025.
Included specifications top
LC-67B 67 mm snap-on front cap.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.
HB-118 hood.
Nikon's Model Number specifications top
20133.
Price, U. S. A. specifications top
16 October 2025 (Introduction)
$897 at B&H and at Adorama.
Performance top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I've ordered my Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Ergonomics performance top
|
|
Nikon Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX. bigger. |
Nikon Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX. bigger. |
It has a real mechanical zoom ring, and an extra programmable control ring, usually set in your camera to manual focus by default.
No AF/MF switch.
Use whatever Fn or other button is assigned to Focus Mode, and then use that. Alternately, the Focus Mode is usually an option at the 𝒊 button.
No Stabilizer switch.
Use the menus to control the stabilizer.
Sharpness performance top
Nikon's MTF at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm. Sagittal (radial) shown as solid lines. Meridional (tangential) shown as dashed lines.
|
|
While it's usually valid to compare rated MTFs between different lenses of similar vintage from the same maker, every maker measures or simply calculates MTF very differently, and therefore one cannot compare these curves between brands. For instance, Sony seems to ignore diffraction and simply calculate overly optimistic MTFs that hug 100%, which no real lens can do at f/8, while other brands are more realistic and include diffraction. Only Canon offers any insight on how they arrive at their curves.
See also my article on MTF and Canon's article on MTFs.
Recommendations top
Introduction New Good Bad Missing
Specifications Performance Recommendations
I've ordered my Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
Personally I don't need f/2.8 and I prefer the broader zoom range of the Z 18-140mm DX VR, but for folks trying to stop action and moving subjects with a very handy lens, bravo Nikon!
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The very best protective filter is the nearly indestructible Hoya multicoated HD3 67mm UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.
For less money, the Nikon 67mm NC (No Color/Neutral Clear), Hoya 67mm NXT Plus UV and Hoya 67mm UV MC are all excellent filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.
The least expensive coated filter is the Chiaro 67mm 95-UVAT UV, which I haven't tried but ought to be swell.
If I was working in nasty, dirty areas, I'd use an uncoated 67mm Tiffen UV filter instead. Uncoated filters are much easier to clean, but more prone to ghosting.
Nikon's 67mm Circular Polarizer II is excellent.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 50 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s! The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and you'll be using it long after you've thrown this lens away in 50 years.
I've ordered my Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, or get it used if you know How to Win at eBay, or get it used at KEH.
This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you take the chance of getting it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new lens. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Alla rättigheter förbehållna. Toate drepturile rezervate. Niciun vampir nu a fost implicat în crearea acestei lucrări. Omnia jura reservata. Ken Rockwell® is a registered trademark.
Help Me Help You top
I support my growing family through this website, as crazy as it might seem.
The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places always have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.
If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.
If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!
If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.
As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. If you wish to make a printout for personal use, you are granted one-time permission only if you PayPal me $5.00 per printout or part thereof. Thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Ken.