Nikkor Z 50mm F/1.8 S

Specifications01

MountNIKON Z

Focal length50mm

Max aperturef/1.8

TypeCinema · Portrait · Prime

Weight415 g

Filter size62 mm

Physical length86.5 mm

Min focus distance0.4 m

Aperture blades9

Optical elements12

Groups9

Lens hoodpetal-shaped (bayonet mount, supplied)

Additional Info02

Category["Nikon","Nikon Z (Full Format)"]

Keywords["Nikkor","Nikon","Prime","Standard","Z-mount"]

Review AuthorMarkus Stamm

Review Rating9

Other FeaturesStepping motor (STM), electronic aperture, customizable control ring, dust and moisture sealings

Review VerdictNikon promised an above average normal prime performing on a new level, and they certainly delivered. The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S delivers extremely sharp images, combined with very pleasing background blur. The lens resolution is outstanding both because of the high level across the whole image frame straight from the maximum aperture, but also because of its uniformity across the tested aperture range (until diffraction kicks in and reduces the maximum possible resolution at smaller apertures). Background blur is very soft and smooth with evenly filled highlights without visible outlining. The latter is also partly because of the fairly low amount of bokeh fringing. In summary, the bokeh quality is outstanding for this lens class. CAs are very well controlled and no issue at all. Distortion is fairly low natively already and well handled by software correction, if applied. Vignetting is pronounced at large apertures, but that's to be expected from such a lens. Software correction can take care of it completely, it's surprising though that Nikon does not make full use of its own correction profile in-camera. The build quality of the lens is on a very high level. There are some plastic parts on the lens body, but most of it is made from aluminum and feels sturdy and solid. Controls on the lens are reduced to a minimum, just the AF/M switch and the focus ring. The latter works electronically thugh with variable speed and can be customized to control a (small) selection of other functions. Thanks to a stepping motor, autofocus is very fast and silent. In summary, a really impressive lens that easily deserves our 'Highly Recommended' badge.

Review Criteria{"Build Quality":9,"Optical Quality":9,"Price/Performance":10}

Review Published2021-09-05T18:28:00+00:00

Optical Construction12 elements in 9 groups including 2 ED, 2 aspherical elements and Nano Crystal Coat

Field Notes02

Nikon Z NIKKOR 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8, designed for full-frame Z-mount cameras. It’s a fast normal prime for low-light and portrait/standard photography.

AI-assisted summary — verify against linked sources

Catalog note · source: opticallimits

Sources03

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Other Mounts03

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