Lens Summary
Brand: Nikon
Also Known As: Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Lens Type: Zoom Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Nikon F
Release Date: 2020-07-21
MSRP Price: $399
Made in: China
Production Status: In Production
Manufacturer Link: Product Page
Lens Description: Featuring a sleek design and versatile range, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is a compact standard zoom covering wide-angle to normal focal lengths. Its retractable design helps to achieve the slim form factor that is suitable to walkaround and travel shooting applications. A stepping motor provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override to suit both stills and video applications. Its optical design incorporates three aspherical elements and a pair of low dispersion elements, which help to control a variety of aberrations for high sharpness and clarity. A Super Integrated Coating is featured, too, to suppress flare and achieve high contrast and color accuracy. Also, the lens sports a programmable control ring that can be set for intuitive adjustment over a variety of camera and exposure settings.
Photography Life Review Summary: The 24-50mm f/4-6.3 isn't a terrible lens, but there are simply other options in Nikon's mirrorless lineup better suited to most tasks. Unless you're sure the 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is the right fit for you, I recommend that most photographers get either the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 or Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 as their first Z-series lens (or the 28mm f/2.8 or 40mm f/2 primes) instead. Read the full Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Review by Photography Life.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| * Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area | |
| Lens Type | Zoom Lens |
| Focal Length | 24-50mm |
| Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | Full Frame / APS-C |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Zoom Ratio | 2x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.17x (at 50 mm) |
| Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization) | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | No |
| Maximim Aperture | f/4-6.3 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-36 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 61° |
| Minimum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 31°30' |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 84° |
| Minimum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 47° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 11 |
| Lens Groups | 10 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 (Rounded) |
| Extra-Low Dispersion Glass Elements | 2 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| Super Integrated Coat (SIC) | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | Yes |
| Stepper Motor (STM) | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | Yes |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.35 m/1.15 ft from focal plane at all zoom positions |
| Electronic Diaphragm | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 52mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | No |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 2.89 x 2.01" / 73.5 x 51 mm |
| Weight | 6.9 oz / 195 g |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
| Supplied Accessories | LC-52B Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap) |
Lens Construction
MTF Chart
I’ve been using the Z 24-70mm f/4 zoom for a year; then I tried this Z 24-50mm and my Nikon Z6 turned into an unexpected new camera— so lightweight and comfortable to handle. Framing and zooming never felt so effortless and it’s easier to hold the camera steady when shooting. And although the lens hasn’t image stabilization, I got perfectly usable shots at speeds like 1/8.
However, there’s an obvious downside to it: the maximum apertures are quite small, especially at 45mm (f/6) and at 50mm (f/6.3). I noticed a drop in sharpness at 50mm – f/6.3, while attaining better results at 43mm – f/5.6. Sharpness across the frame was achieved at f/8 at all focal distances. Yet, narrow apertures are not necessarily an issue —I often prefer shooting at f/8 with other lenses.
Briefly, what makes this zoom appealing is the lack of other truly compact options in the context of the full-frame Z system. There are several compact F-mount lenses, but attached to the FTZ adapter their compactness vanishes.
I only wish the Nikkor Z prime lenses could be as small and unobtrusive as this handy zoom.