Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens Summary

The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens is a compact wide-to-standard zoom for cropped sensor Z DX-format mirrorless cameras, which offers a bright constant f/2.8 aperture and 5-stop vibration reduction (VR). The zoom spans a versatile 16-50mm focal length range, which is equivalent to 24-75mm in full-frame equivalent, and provides the flexibility to shoot anything from landscapes and interiors to portraits and everyday snapshots, all with excellent low-light capability and decent background separation.

While Nikon has previously offered a collapsible 16-50mm kit lens, this new version adds a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, a more complex optical design, and noticeably improved close focusing, resulting in an all round more capable option for hybrid creators who need higher image quality for both stills and video. The internal focusing system delivers smooth, quiet operation for video, and the lens benefits from a rounded 9-blade diaphragm to produce more natural-looking background blur.

Minimum focus distance is just 15cm at the wide end and 25cm at 50mm, which adds more flexibility for capturing close-ups and shots of small subjects. The 67mm front filter thread is ideal for compact ND filters for video or long exposures and other filters for creative results. At only 330g and 88mm long, the lens is very manageable for everyday handheld shooting and is the perfect addition to smaller camera bodies like the Z30, Z50, and Z fc.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Key Features

• Spans 16–50mm focal length (equivalent to 24–75mm in FX)
• Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range
• Vibration Reduction provides up to 5 stops of stabilisation
• Close focusing distance of 15cm (wide) or 25cm (telephoto)
• Internal focusing system with quiet autofocus
• 9-blade rounded diaphragm for smooth bokeh
• Optical design includes 12 elements in 11 groups
• 67mm filter thread
• Compact size and weight of just 330g

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens in More Detail

Bright Zoom with Constant Aperture

The key upgrade with this 16–50mm lens is a fast constant f/2.8 aperture, which is throughout the entire zoom range. This allows consistent exposure control, better background blur, and more flexibility in low-light settings, which is especially useful when filming indoors or capturing handheld stills at slower shutter speeds.

Close Focusing for Creative Shooting

At 16mm, the lens can focus as close as 15cm from the sensor plane, while at 50mm it has a minimum distance of 25cm. This opens up opportunities for shooting small objects, food, or handheld shots of small details, and also allows better foreground/background separation at closer distances.

Image Stabilisation Built-In

Nikon includes a 5-stop lens-shift Vibration Reduction system, based on the CIPA standard when used with the Nikon Z50 II. This stabilisation compensates for yaw and pitch movement and improves handheld sharpness when working in low light or at slower shutter speeds.

Video-Ready

The internal focusing system keeps the lens barrel from extending while focusing and helps maintain balance on gimbals or handheld rigs. Autofocus is smooth and quiet, and the fast aperture enables good control over depth of field when recording video. The 67mm front thread is compact for filters or matte boxes if needed.

Portable with No Compromises

Despite the larger optics for the f/2.8 aperture, the lens is very compact and relatively lightweight. At just 330g, it’s easy to carry throughout the day and balances well with smaller Z camera bodies.

What’s in the box

• Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens
• LC-67B Lens Cap (front cap)
• LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap)
• HB-118 Lens Hood

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens Specifications