Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens is a compact, well-versed prime lens designed for Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount mirrorless cameras, achieving optical performance remarkably superior to conventional f/1.8 lenses thanks to the lens arrangement made possible by the new Z lens mount. As part of Nikon’s flagship S-Line, this iconic 50mm prime offers a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture paired with a comfortable, natural perspective well suited to portraits, street photography, and everyday shooting.

Optically, the lens is built from 12 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements, greatly reducing both spherical and chromatic aberrations for increased sharpness and clarity across the entire frame, even at close focusing distances. Both Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating are used to suppress flare and ghosting for greater color fidelity and higher contrast, even under backlit conditions, and a rounded 9-blade diaphragm contributes to soft, beautiful bokeh.

Autofocus is handled by a stepping motor (STM), delivering impressively smooth, quiet, and fast autofocus performance well suited to both stills and video applications, along with full-time manual focus override using a “focus by wire” system via a wide, well-damped metal focus ring. An internal focusing design moves only the internal lens groups during focus, keeping the lens’s overall length constant and promoting faster focusing speeds, while a specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability, particularly beneficial during fast continuous shooting.

Build quality uses a mixture of polycarbonate and aluminum, with weather-sealed construction to help resist dust and moisture. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m (15.7 in.), yielding a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.15x, and accepts a 62mm filter thread. It measures approximately 76.0mm in diameter by 86.5-87mm in length and weighs approximately 415g, and includes a bayonet-mount HB-90 lens hood. The lens does not include built-in Vibration Reduction (VR), though it works in conjunction with in-body image stabilization on compatible Nikon Z camera bodies.

As an FX-format lens, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S delivers its full 47-degree angle of view on Nikon full-frame Z-mount bodies while remaining compatible with Nikon DX-format APS-C cameras at a 31°30′ equivalent angle of view.

Key Features
– 50mm f/1.8 standard prime lens (S-Line) for Nikon Z-mount, FX-format
– 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 2 ED elements
– Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating
– Stepping motor (STM) autofocus with full-time manual focus override
– Internal focusing design (constant length)
– Electromagnetic aperture mechanism
– Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
– Weather-sealed construction (polycarbonate and aluminum)
– Minimum focusing distance of 0.4m (15.7 in.); 0.15x maximum reproduction ratio
– 62mm filter thread
– No built-in VR (works with in-body stabilization on compatible bodies)
– Includes HB-90 bayonet lens hood
– Approximate weight: 415g
– Compatible with Nikon full-frame (FX) and APS-C (DX) Z-mount cameras