Nikon 16-50mm
f/3.5~6.3 Z DX VR (2019-)
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
Z9 Z8 Z7 II Z6 II Zf Z7 Z6 Z5 Z fc Z50 Z30
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Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, collapsed (46mm filters, 4.6 oz./131g, 0.7'/0.2m close focus, $297, less if ordered as part of a kit, also comes in silver). bigger. I got mine at B&H (I actually got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you!
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Sample Images
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
(these are just snapshots and there are many more throughout the review; my real work is in my Gallery.)
These are all shot hand-held as BASIC JPGs; no RAW files, NORMAL or FINE JPGs or tripods were used or needed.
All shot in the VIVID Picture Control setting with sharpening set to +9 and Saturation set to +3.
As shot hand-held on my Nikon Z fc:
Three Bicycle Wheels, 10:11 AM, Friday, 27 August 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 27.5mm wide-open at f/4.5 at 1/60 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 10¼), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Red Umbrella, Green and Blue, AM, Friday, 27 August 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 44mm at f/9 at 1/320 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14⅔), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
One West Bank, 10:23 AM, Friday, 27 August 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 18.5mm at f/8 at 1/250 at Auto ISO 100, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 14.0), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Orange Crush, 1:04 PM, Friday, 27 August 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 16mm at f/11 at 1/50 at Auto ISO 100, +0.3 stops exposure compensation (LV 12.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Low Light Masterpiece!
My Nikon Z fc and stabilized Z 16-50mm VR DX combo are great for walking around and shooting hand-held at night:
Balancing Car, 7:34 PM, Saturday, 04 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 30mm wide-open at f/4.8 hand-held at 1/13 second at Auto ISO 8,000 (LV 1.9), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Walkway at Dusk, 7:39 PM, Saturday, 04 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 16mm wide-open at f/3.5 hand-held at 1/6 second at Auto ISO 2,500 (LV 1.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
The Rowan at Dusk, 7:41 PM, Saturday, 04 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 16mm wide-open at f/3.5 hand-held at 1/6 second at Auto ISO 1,800 (LV 2.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Forever Marilyn, 7:42 PM, Saturday, 04 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 20mm wide-open at f/3.8 hand-held at 1/8 second at Auto ISO 1,250 (LV 3.2), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Clearing Storm Clouds, 4:56 PM, Thursday, 09 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 29mm at f/9 at 1/320 at Auto ISO 10, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 12.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Purple Swirl ("Sea Subject 1, 2010" by Vladimira Klumpar, American, born Czech Republic, 1954), 5:23 PM, Thursday, 09 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 26.5mm wide-open at f/4.5 hand-held at 1/25 at ISO 100 (LV 9.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
Santorini, 7:28 PM, Thursday, 09 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 31.5mm wide-open at f/5 hand held at 1/13 second at Auto ISO 400 (LV 6.3), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full-resolution or camera-original © JPG file.
Tonga Hut, 7:31 PM, Thursday, 09 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 47mm wide-open at f/6 hand held at 1/20 at Auto ISO 2,200 (LV 5.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Blue Hummingbird Sculpture, 12:42 PM, Sunday, 12 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 50mm wide-open at f/6.3 at 1/400 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14.0), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Orange and Black "Halloween" Harley-Davidson Motorcycle, 3:13 PM, Sunday, 12 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 26mm at f/9 at 1/320 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14⅔), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Two Windows and a Wall, 3:15 PM, Sunday, 12 September 2021. Nikon Z fc, Nikon Z 16-50mm VR DX at 22.5mm at f/10 at 1/400 at Auto ISO 100, +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 15,3), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Here are shots knocked-out in just a half hour of walking around a farmer's market. Easy! The Z 16-50mm is an extraordinary little lens and most of these are exactly as they came out of my Z50:
Bikes, 12:19 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, built-in flash ON, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 48mm at f/7.1, 1/200 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 13.3), as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Pomegranate, Farmer's Market, 12:21 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, built-in flash ON, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 50mm at f/16, 1/80 at Auto ISO 2,500 (LV 9.7), as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Old Town Coffee Company, 12:22 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 50mm at f/10, 1/400 at Auto ISO 100, +⅔ stop exposure compensation, (LV 15.3). bigger or camera-original © file.
Stop Sign, Old Town, 12:25 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, built-in flash ON, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 29mm at f/9, 1/200 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14.0), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Walkway with Bougainvillea, Old Town, 12:35 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 16mm at f/13, 1/60 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 13.3), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
The trees on the left are crooked; this isn't lens distortion.
Stuft Pizza, 12:40 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, built-in flash ON, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 21mm at f/9, 1/200 at Auto ISO 100, +⅓ stop exposure compensation, (LV 14.0), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Protected Utility Building, 12:52 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 41mm at f/8, 1/250 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14.0), as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Obviously no distortion in the 16-50mm, for which we can't turn off Auto Distortion Control even if we wanted to in the Z50.
Aztec Tapestry, 1:22 PM, 24 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 42mm at f/5.6, hand-held at 1/10 at ISO 800 (LV 5.3), as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Green Grass, 8:32 AM, 25 November 2019. Nikon Z50, built-in flash ON, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 20.5mm at f/11, 1/40 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 12.2), as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
Latticework, 12:35 PM, 25 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 32.5mm at f/9, 1/320 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 14⅔), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © file.
A Healthy Holiday, 5:11 PM, 26 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 16mm wide-open at f/3.5 hand-held at 1/13 at Auto ISO 800 (LV 4.3), Perfectly Clear. bigger or full resolution 20MP file.
Hand-held at 1/13 at ISO 800 the system is so sharp I can see a single strand of spider web on the chandelier!
Railing, Rhythm & Hues, 5:22 PM, 26 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 16mm wide-open at f/3.5 hand-held at one-sixth of a second at Auto ISO 1,000, +⅓ stop exposure compensation (LV 2.9), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original © JPG file.
Hand-held at a sixth of a second let me shoot at only ISO 1,000 in the dark for a super-sharp shot, no higher ISOs needed care of the great vibration reduction of the Z 16-50mm DX VR.
Salt & Straw, 6:10 PM, 26 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 16mm wide-open at f/3.5 hand-held at one-sixth of a second at Auto ISO 360 (LV 5.7), Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger or full resolution 20MP file.
Hand-hold at one-sixth of a second? EASY!, with the 16-50mm DX VR. This lets me use lower ISOs and/or smaller apertures for much sharper photos in low light. Also note how well Auto White Balance deals with the mixed LED and who knows what other sorts of lighting was there.
Zoey and Her Carrots, 7:19 AM, 30 November 2019. Cropped from Nikon Z50, Nikon SB-400 flash, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 35mm wide-open at f/5.3 hand-held at 1/15 of a second at Auto ISO 640 (LV 6.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger, full resolution 20MP file or camera-original © JPG file.
Introduction
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Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below. |
This 16-50mm lens is absolutely brilliant. It's tiny, weightless, collapses for carrying, focusses super-close, has great image stabilization (VR), and is optically flawless.
It's so good you ought to get a Z50 just so you can use it!
Just turn the focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
New
Nikon's first normal zoom for DX Z cameras, which when introduced, is only the Z50.
As of July 2011, also comes in silver.
Good
Ultrasharp.
Focuses super-close and is still ultrasharp.
Fast focus.
No distortion as shot on Z50.
Tiny.
Weightless.
Collapses for carrying.
Great image stabilization (VR),
Reasonable price, especially as part of a kit with the Z50.
Bad
Offshored to Thailand; not made domestically in Japan.
Plastic mount, but that's why it weighs so little. This lens is supposed to be plastic.
Missing
No AF/MF switch (do that in-camera.)
No VR switch (set that in-camera at MENU > PHOTO SHOOTING MENU (camera icon) > Optical VR.
No hood or case included, but they're not needed, either.
Nikon 16-50mm. bigger.
Format
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
This is a DX lens (crop-sensor) intended for use on Nikon Z DX cameras.
It also mounts to full-frame FX Z cameras, however you'll waste over half of your sensor. The Z6 and Z7 automatically and only shoot in DX mode; you can't cheat and set them to shoot in full-frame mode with this lens.
Compatibility
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.
It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.
It wastes over half the sensor's area if used on an FX Z camera. The Z6 and Z7 need at least firmware version 2.1 for VR to work on them.
Specifications
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
Name
Nikon calls this the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VRNIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses.
Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras.
DX: Won't work well on FX cameras.
VR: Vibration Reduction.
Also has:
Aspherical: Specially curved glass elements for sharper pictures.
AF-P: Stepper (Pulse) autofocus motor: silent and ultra fast.
E: Electronic diaphragm.
ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
G: Gelded; has no aperture ring.
IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.
∅46: 46mm filter thread.
Optics
Nikon 16-50mm internal optical construction, collapsed position. Aspherical and ED elements.
9 elements in 7 groups.
One ED extra-low dispersion element, which helps reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.
Four Aspherical elements
Nikon Super Integrated multicoating (SIC).
Filters
Plastic 46mm filter thread.
Coverage
DX (16 × 24mm).
Diaphragm
Nikon 16-50mm. bigger.
7 rounded blades.
Electronically actuated.
Stops down to f/22~40.
Focal Length
16-50mm.
This 16-50mm lens used on a DX camera sees the same angle of view as a 24~75mm lens sees when used on a full-frame or 35mm camera.
See also Crop Factor.
Angle of View, DX
83º ～ 31.5º diagonal.
Autofocus
No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Stepper motor.
Focus Scale
No.
Infinity Focus Stop
No.
Depth of Field Scale
No.
Infrared Focus Index
No.
Close Focus
0.66 feet (0.2 meters or 8 inches).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio
1:5 (0.2×).
Reproduction Ratio Scale
No.
Image Stabilizer
Rated 4.5 stops improvement.
Caps
LC-46B 46 mm snap-on front cap, included.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, at least if the lens is ordered by itself. Will just have a translucent "transit cap" if ordered as part of a kit.
Hood
None.
Case
None.
Size
2.8" Ø maximum diameter × 1.3" extension from flange when collapsed.
70mm Ø maximum diameter × 32mm extension from flange when collapsed.
Weight
4.618 oz. (130.9 g) actual measured weight.
Rated 4.8 oz. (135 g).
Quality
Made in Thailand.
Announced
Early morning, Thursday 10 October 2019, NYC time.
Promised for
November 2019.
Shipping Since
07 November 2019.
Included
LC-46B 46 mm snap-on front cap, included.
LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, at least if the lens is ordered by itself. May just have a translucent "transit cap" if ordered as part of a kit.
Nikon's Model Number
20084.
Price, USA
$297, October~December 2019. Less if ordered as part of a kit.
Unboxing
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
The box is completely unsealed. Just like packages of ice cream that kids open, lick and put back in store freezer sections or mouthwash that's been gargled and put it back on the store shelf, there is no way to know if anyone else has been fiddling with your lens, swapping parts and accessories, or even if it's a dropped, returned, damaged or used lens.
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
Especially with a plastic lens like this, it's critical to buy only from an approved online source, since they ship from automated warehouses where no shifty salesmen or other customers ever getting to touch your new lens before it ships. While new $5 CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and bottles of milk and drinking water are sealed and quite obvious if anyone's opened them, paradoxically Nikon doesn't bother sealing anything, so your only insurance is to buy only from a trusted online dealer.
Getting a Legal USA Version
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
This section applies in the USA only.
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
You should have a Nikon USA Warranty Card as shown in the video at Unboxing. If you don't have this card, if the card doesn't say "4 YEARS USA EXTENDED SERVICE COVERAGE" or if the serial number on the card doesn't match the one on your lens exactly, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. (The serial number on the box doesn't have to match, but if it doesn't it means you bought from a shady dealer who took lenses out of boxes and then resold them as new.) This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!
Nikon USA enforces its trademarks strictly. It's unlikely, but possible that US customs won't let your camera back in the country if you bought a gray-market version in the USA, carried it overseas, and try to bring it back in. (If you take the chance of buying one overseas, be sure you have a receipt to prove you bought it overseas and be prepared to pay duty on it.)
If a gray market version saves you $200 it may be worth it, but for $50 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.
Always be sure to check your box while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed.
Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere or at any retail store, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.
Performance
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
Overall Autofocus Manual Focus Breathing Bokeh
Coma Distortion Ergonomics Falloff Filters
Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes
Lens Corrections Macro Min & Max Apertures
Mechanics Sharpness Stabilization Sunstars
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
Overall
As you can see at Sample Images, this is a fantastic lens optically, and it's tiny, works well and fast and is inexpensive. This is one of Nikon's Best Lenses.
Autofocus
Autofocus is fast and just about silent. The only sound you'll hear in a silent room by yourself is a little bit of plastic sliding, and that's it.
Manual Focus
Manual focus is excellent.
Just grab the rear focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.
Focus Breathing
Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.
The image from this lens gets a bit bigger as focused more closely.
Bokeh
Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is pretty good; but with a tiny lens this slow nothing ever gets that far out of focus.
Here are photos from headshot distance wide-open:
Davis 6250 weather station, 27 November 2019. bigger or camera-original © file.
Davis 6250 weather station, 27 November 2019. bigger or camera-original © file.
As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at 50mm at f/6.3 and get as close as possible.
Coma
Coma, or sagittal coma flare, is often seen with fast normal to wide lenses as weird batwing shapes on bright points of light in the corners at night.
I see no coma in this lens, which is excellent!
Children's Walkway, 5:21 PM, 26 November 2019. Nikon Z50, Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR at 18.5mm wide-open at f/3.8 hand-held at 1/15 at Auto ISO 400, +⅓ stop exposure compensation (LV 5¾), Perfectly Clear, perspective correction in Photoshop CS6. bigger, full resolution 20MP file or camera-original © JPG file.
Note how free from coma is the Z 16-50mm DX VR; even wide-open the points of light on the right remain as points. We used to have to buy Noct-NIKKORs to do this!
Distortion
As shot on the Nikon Z50, which always corrects distortion, there is no visible or measurable distortion at any setting, which means less than a factor of ±0.1 in Photoshop's Lens Correction Filter.
If you shoot raw and then open the files in non-Nikon software, there probably will be no correction and you may then see distortion. You're on your own if using third-party software.
Ergonomics
This is a tiny lens, and it collapses just by turning the zoom ring past 16mm. Brilliant!
|
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Collapsed. bigger. |
Extended for shooting. bigger. |
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Collapsed. bigger. |
Extended for shooting. bigger. |
The big ring at the back is manual focus by default, and your camera will let you set it to other functions if you prefer.
Falloff
Falloff isn't an issue, except for some minor falloff only at f/3.5 at 16mm. I never noticed it in actual photos, but these gray-field tests make it far more obvious than it is in real pictures:
Nikon Z 16-50mm VR on DX at infinity, Vignette Correction NORM.
© 2019 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
If you go out of your way to turn Vignette Correction OFF, you'll see more, not much of which would ever be visible in actual pictures:
Nikon Z 16-50mm VR on DX at infinity, Vignette Correction OFF.
© 2019 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved. |
Filters, use with
There's no need for thin filters. I can stack quite a few regular 46mm filters without any vignetting at 16mm.
Go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters.
Be careful using polarizers at the 16mm end; the sky's natural polarization may appear as a dark band in the sky.
Flare & Ghosts
There are no significant ghosts or flare. See samples at Sunstars.
Lateral Color Fringes
There are no color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras, which by default correct for any that may be there.
Lens Corrections
The Z50, Z6 and Z7 correct for any or all of diffraction and falloff, either of which you may turn ON or OFF.
They won't let you turn off distortion correction; it's permanently left ON.
The Z50, Z6 and Z7 always correct for lateral color fringes (chromatic aberration); this is part of Nikon's secret sauce and never appears in any menu.
Macro Performance
Macro performance is excellent. It gets super-close, and it's super-sharp, even wide-open:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 27 November 2019. Nikon Z50, 16-50mm at 50mm wide-open at f/6.3. bigger or camera-original © file.
1,200 × 900 pixel crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 9¼ × 14" (25 × 35 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 18½ × 28" (50 × 70 cm) at this same magnification.
If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at 37 × 56" (1 × 1.4 meters) at this same magnification.
Even better, it focuses even closer to give about the same high magnification across much of the zoom range; here's how close you get at the 30mm setting:
Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, 27 November 2019. Nikon Z50, 16-50mm at 30mm wide-open at f/4.8. bigger or camera-original © file.
Minimum & Maximum Apertures
Maximum Aperture |
Minimum Aperture |
|
| 16mm | f/3.5 |
f/22 |
| 24mm | f/4.2 |
f/29 |
| 35mm | f/5.3 |
f/36 |
| 50mm | f/6.3 |
f/40 |
Mechanical Quality
Nikon 16-50mm. bigger.
This is an all-plastic lens. Except for metal screws and electrical contacts and glass glass, the rest is all plastic.
Dust Gasket at Mount
Not needed, the plastic wraps around and covers the edges of the mount.
Serial Number
Laser engraved on bottom of barrel.
Date Code
None found.
Noises When Shaken
Mild to moderate clicking.
Made in
Made in Thailand.
Sharpness
Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.
If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction (especially if you stop down to f/40 it will be fuzzy; these are the laws of God and nature), always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum +9) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/22 at ISO 1,600 at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.
These warning aside, this is an ultrasharp lens. I see no problems with anything. it's sharp even wide-open in the corners.
Here are Nikon's MTF curves wide-open. These agree with what I see in actual use: super-sharpness out to the corners.
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 |
MTF at 16mm at f/3.5. |
MTF at 50mm at f/6.3. |
Image Stabilization
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS, IS or VR (Vibration Reduction)) is fantastic. I noticed that one-sixth of a second exposures were easy (see Sample Images), and only when I tried it in the lab did I confirm that I get perfect sharpness almost all the time at 16mm at a half second hand held! I love this lens. At 50mm, one-eighth second exposures are easy.
"Percent Perfectly Sharp Shots" are the percentage of frames with 100% perfect tripod-equivalent sharpness I get when I'm shooting hand-held while standing with no support. Hand tremor is a random occurrence, so at marginal speeds some frames will be perfectly sharp while others will be in various stages of blur — all at the same shutter speed. This rates what percentage of shots are perfectly sharp, not how sharp all the frames are:
At 16mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots | 2s |
1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
| VR ON | 0 |
17 |
90 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| VR OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
17 |
60 |
83 |
100 |
100 |
At 16mm I see a four-stop real world improvement, which is excellent!
At 50mm
| % Perfectly Sharp Shots | 1 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/15 |
1/30 |
1/60 |
1/125 |
1/250 |
| VR ON | 0 |
17 |
17 |
100 |
83 |
90 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
| VR OFF | 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
20 |
90 |
100 |
100 |
At 50mm I see a three-stop real world improvement, which is also excellent!
Sunstars
With a 7-bladed rounded diaphragm at large apertures that becomes septagonal at the smallest apertures, I get 14-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light mostly at the smallest apertures.
Ignore the crazy green rainbow dots at the smaller apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of the palm tree.
Click any to enlarge:
Click any to enlarge.
Compared
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
There are no other native DX Z lenses in this focal length as of the end of 2019, so there is no comparison.
You could jury-rig a DSLR DX lens like the basic but excellent 18-55mm AF-P or nice but big 16-80mm lens with the FTZ adapter, but you'll wind up with a huge, sloppy thing with inferior optics that are a pain to lug around.
Look at the MTF curves; this tiny 16-50 is superior to the once-premium 16-80mm.
Look at the weight: this lens is just 4.6 oz. (131g) ready to mount on your Z camera. The FTZ adapter alone weighs more than this 16-50mm lens!
The 18-55mm AF-P weighs 7.1 oz. (200g) and the 16-80mm weighs 16.9 oz. (479 g) — but once you add the FTZ adapter (4.7 oz./133g) so you can use them on a Z camera, you're up to 9.3 oz. (264g) for the 18-55mm AF-P and 21.6 oz. (612g) for the 16-80mm.
Especially as I write this, you should get this 16-50mm lens along with a Z50 as a kit for very little extra money. It's an extraordinary lens and far better than trying to adapt an old lens to your awesome new Z50.
User's Guide
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
The AF/MF and VR mode switches are no longer on this tiny lens.
Instead, you find them in your camera's menu system.
On the Z50, you set focus mode like this, and set the VR modes like this.
Video Version of this Review
Recommendations
Top Sample Images Intro Format
Compatibility Specifications Unboxing
USA Version Performance Compared
Get one! More specifically, get one as part of a kit as a promotional item for very little extra money. This is one of Nikon's Best Lenses, and even better, it's tiny and inexpensive and focuses fast and super close.
I got my 16-50mm at B&H, where it also comes in silver. (Actually I got the kit with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses). I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon, at Crutchfield or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay. It also comes as part of a kit at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap 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.
Use the excellent and inexpensive B+W 46mm 010 , or splurge on the multicoated B+W 010M or use a multicoated Hoya filter.
If you want a fancy filter, go for the LEICA 13033 E46 UVa II in black, the LEICA 13034 E46 UVa II in silver or the Fujifilm PRF-46 Protector Filter.
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. Filters last a lifetime of more, so there's no need to cheap out on them. The basic Hoya 46mm UV is honestly all you need.
This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. 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, non-USA, store demo or used lens. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken.
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