Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 vs Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR
Nikon Z
Both are tiny, retractable kit zooms for Nikon Z, but built for different sensor formats. The Nikkor Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (July 2020, kit lens for the Z 5) is designed for full frame, weighs 195 g, is about 51 mm long and has no built-in stabilization. The Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (October 2019, kit lens for the Z 50) is designed for DX, retracts to only about 32 mm, weighs 135 g and has VR. On a DX camera it equals 24-75 mm in full frame terms, more than the 24-50 covers.
On full frame, a DX lens uses only a cropped part of the image.
Which one suits whom?
- Z 24-50mm: You have a full-frame camera such as the Z 5 or Z 6 and want a very small kit zoom.
- Z DX 16-50mm: You use a DX camera such as the Z 50 or Z fc and want stabilization and compact size.
Key differences
- Focal length: 24-50 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3, 16-50 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR is faster: f/3.5 instead of f/4, about 0.3 stops more light.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR is 60 g lighter (135 g vs 195 g).
- The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR is 19 mm shorter.
- Only the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR has optical image stabilization.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR focuses closer: from 20 cm instead of 35 cm.
- Filter thread: 52 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3, 46 mm on the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR.
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 is a full-frame lens, the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR is designed for APS-C.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3 | Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 24-50 mm | 16-50 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/4-6.3 | f/3.5-6.3 |
| Weight | 195 g | 135 g |
| Filter diameter | 52 mm | 46 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 35 cm | 20 cm |
| Length | 51 mm | 32 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | no | yes |
Size comparison
- Nikon Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3: 51 × 74 mm
- Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR: 32 × 70 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).