Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens review with samples

Here's another first for this channel - one of Nikon's new Z-mount lenses for APS-C cameras. At the moment, the only APS-C Z-mount camera available is the Z50. If you fit this lens onto a full-frame Z-mount camera, it will force you to shoot in a lower resolution, cropped 'DX' mode. Let's see how it performs
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Nikon Z50 camera + 16-50mm +50-250mm lens (Amazon affiliate link):
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All sample pictures taken by me on a Nikon Z50 camera.
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Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):
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Music:
'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@sloppyjoe9156]

Love your decision to cover Nikon gear now. Your channel and methodology is wonderful and now the information is increasingly relevant when you cover affordable lenses from more ecosystems. Keep up the wonderful work during these trying times

[@aditya_gupta]

That sharpness and contrast is phenomenal.

[@dunnymonster]

Probably the sharpest kit lens I've ever seen.

[@cbr_n]

Fuji kitlens would like a word

[@ioanniskostopoulos1210]

Fuji 'kit lens' stomps every other kit lens.

[@dunnymonster]

@@cbr_n Indeed, the XF 18 - 55 f2.8-4 LM OIS is probably one of the best kit lens' ever. It is however considerably more expensive than this Nikon offering. Compare this Nikkor to Fujifilms 15 - 45 f3.5-5.6 XC OIS kit lens which is a better comparison and I'd say the Nikkor wins in the corners ( no doubt assisted by that huge Z mount )😋

[@aditya_gupta]

@@ioanniskostopoulos1210 it way more expensive, bigger. Nikon is sharper.

[@spangari]

Ioannis Kostopoulos in your dream

[@jmrosario9464]

Just got my Nikon Z50 today with 16-50 kit. I must say for a small pancake kit lens it is absolutely sharp. The sharpest kit lens I’ve ever tried. Well done Nikon!!! Nice review btw and informative..

[@Johnsson25]

I have it and its perfect with z30, but i bought viltrox 75 1,2 and can't stop making photos, its superb!

[@spangari]

From this test and everybody else’s tests in the YT, this little z50 is the best little compact still picture and video blogger camera so far...

[@sloppyjoe9156]

As a z50 owner I would understand why some say the xt30 over the z50 personally. The only reason I went Nikon was the ability to move into full frame in the future when buying lenses. And the grip.

[@aditya_gupta]

@@sloppyjoe9156 and why is that? I'm planning on buying z50. It will be my first camera. I don't care about full frame. Why should i choose xt30 over z50?

[@sloppyjoe9156]

@@aditya_gupta a lot of it depends on your individual use cases but the fuji has a higher resolution sensor that doesn't actually trade off any ISO performance. Much better vjdeo specs and performance and better native lenses. Even if augmenting with Nikon F glass the fuji native aps-c glass is better performance and more flexible. Nikon saves their best stuff for full frame.

[@sloppyjoe9156]

@@aditya_gupta don't get me wrong, I love my z50. The performance is stellar and it's incredibly versatile. I love the ergonomics (and I'm coming from a Pentax). The lenses from the two lens kit have excellent performance (with the 16-50 almost rivaling the fuji 15-45) in most aspects except f/stop range.

[@aditya_gupta]

@@sloppyjoe9156 thanks

[@MrMartinek99]

Surprisingly good performance from such small lens. It's shame that Nikon don't plan some faster standard zoom. I would really consider Z50 with something like 16-55mm f2.8-4.

[@HR-wd6cw]

This lens is surprisingly sharp for being a kit lens and being compact. In fact, I have contemplated getting this for my FF Z7 for when I want to street photography but remain rather discrete. (I can live with the 19MP images as I generally don't print street photography photos, and if I do, it's generally only 8x10 or smaller -- or i send it to a lab for professional enlargement anyway if needed).

[@Jawad.1]

This images out of this lens are looking extremely sharp...!

[@Jawad.1]

Came across my own comment exactly after 1 year...! 😁🤣

[@yanitsvetanov1162]

Since you have Nikon Z50 do a review of the camera as well, please! Thanks!

[@ej_tech]

I was expecting the distortion to be the same "disaster" as the Sony kit lens. That is surprisingly good for a pancake zoom.

[@Jackourd]

This is Crop Lens so Distortion is Not an issue, because it 24mm equivalent on FF lens, on crop lens the diameter of lense and element is small so there is very less distortion on DX lenses on its wider angle,

[@aydenjackson8328]

A tip: watch series on flixzone. I've been using them for watching loads of movies lately.

[@clydelayton2017]

@Ayden Jackson definitely, have been using flixzone for since december myself :)

[@mistergiovanni7183]

But for the Sony kit you don't have to use another hand to turn it on.

[@powerlurker]

probably the best kitlens ive ever seen

[@InterMaus]

Well the heavy distortion seems to be the price for small size with these lenses on any system.

[@__dm__]

Distortion is easily correctable in software, thankfully. A lot of Sigma Art lenses also have heavy distortion.

[@gordonyz4]

This is much x2 better than the APSC SONY 16-55 f/2.8 in terms of distortion

[@tommihommi1]

@@ThornHawthorne I wish I could get lens on my nikon

[@diatomsaus]

And it has a PLASTIC mount, lol.

[@beavertown2006]

Wow, haven't been here for ages, thought I was in a wrong channel that Chris is reviewing a Nikon lens!

[@bhwrice]

I enjoy all your videos, but as a Nikon Z6 shooter this is a special treat! I look forward to seeing more on your Z7.

[@animook1]

You have no idea how grateful I am for your work, sir! You gave me the opportunity to compare lenses between brands while selecting my small travel kit. Thank you so much! Keep up, I will stay your loyal subscriber :)

[@ej_tech]

I was so excited for your review of this lens...even if I don't own a Nikon body.

[@petrolbokehlicious]

Chris, lovely work as always, eagerly waiting for your tests on the rest of the Z mount range of lenses, especially the 20, 35, and 85 primes.

[@chrishay5442]

Best lens review channel on KZbin. 👍👌

[@Hugmir]

Your services are much appreciated.

[@Stop-All-War]

_focus stacking & exposure bracketing,_ on the Zfc / Z50. 👏

[@oliverdesouza5741]

Good to see you are doing Nikon analyses now and i hope you got time to do the Z50 too. It's great BTW! Now, if you're ever in Cambridge I have a Nikon 200mm f2 that awaits the CF badge of honour. Prepare for extasy!

[@quockhanhang8323]

Review nikkor 50-250mm z dx !!!!

[@AptomJ]

Sold my 70-200 2.8VRII after I got z50-250, it's really good!!!

[@Greetz108]

I have it, it's pretty awesome in all ranges and still perfect sharp. Pancake and this lens is perfect for traveling 👍

[@YannParodi]

@@AptomJReally ? Just for the size I guess, because low light performance of 2.8 is good to have

[@Benderlaiv]

Wish the sony aps-c pancake zoom was this good.

[@onegrapefruitlover]

Loving the contrast in the sample images. Looks like a great lens for sunny day trips. I hope that Nikon builds a nice apsc lens lineup eventually. In the meantime I'm happy with my Fujis.

[@Galabsharma]

Thanks christ for the review .. love from 🇳🇵

[@frederickletterblair]

Wow a zoom lens so small and with VR, really fascinating.

[@webdaddy]

Sony has similar, but their kit zoom isn't nearly as good optically.

[@orphanRTG]

Excellent tiny and very very light combo with amazing results, while you can get it as low as 600 bucks together on second-hand sites.

[@patrick.771]

yessss, a Nikon review! :)

[@Jackourd]

Good for landscape as a kit lens it performs well...specially 16mm is good wide

[@sloppyjoe9156]

I've been shooting real estate on a z50 recently and this was entirely serviceable outdoors. I wouldn't have even needed anything wider if I was shooting outdoors exclusively because the image was absolutely bang up for the price.

[@Jackourd]

@@sloppyjoe9156 definitely i knw that..its a good wide lens at this price point

[@isaiahknowles9345]

Think this would be a good interior real estate photography lense for the z7?

[@Jackourd]

@@isaiahknowles9345 nope actually, this lens is for crop bodies, but u can use it on Z7 too on DX mode.

[@isaiahknowles9345]

@@Jackourd so this lens on a z7 wouldn’t get the full 16mm?

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@nguyenhuuzzz]

Hope you review Nikkor Z 24-200 lens. Thank you in advance.

[@ttgrigoriy]

Thank you for the review!

[@peterpanimg]

Thanks for your review!! Much needed. Seems to be a very nice lens. Think the sharpness and contrast can be attributed to camera sensor resolution? If so, all should move to 20 for apsc!

[@trym2121]

Kinda wish Sony make this type of collapsible lens. For still shooting, this one is preferable as the focal length is manual so after stand by, it's still the same focal length Also will you try modding your z50 to accommodate tech art e mount adapter?

[@donschiffer7400]

It drives me crazy that most major manufacturers, with the exception of Fuji, think apsc kit lenses should be f5+.

[@GungKrisna12]

For Fuji, it's only on its high end kit that has faster kit lens

[@CodeTravelwithRizwan]

Nice christopher . Please review new 24-50mm nikon z mount lens. If possible please review nikon z5 camera also. Thanks.

[@Digmen1]

Thats a great review!

[@sifatrabby1962]

Is it too much to ask for the minimum aperture to be 5.6 instead of 6.3 from an apsc mirrorless kit lens?

[@Ohlukei]

With around 34 mm focal length you get objects for macro photo the largest on the image.

[@pilotdog68]

Hello Christopher, I notice when comparing this video to the video of the Sony E 16-50 that the colors of your test board look much more washed out through the Sony lens. Is this because of the lens? Or did you change something in your setup in the 2 years between the reviews?

[@diatomsaus]

The only issue I have with the Z50 is the lack of a shutter release input, everything else is really on the money. Saw a Z50 twin lens kit with some accessories for $800 on gumtree, which is around $560 USD. Really a bargain... and it's gone today.

[@mistergiovanni7183]

The camera should have a stabilized sensor.

[@Rollerpunk182]

This is a nice review. Thanks a lot for it. Just a question. In terms of general performance (focus speed, bokeh and sharpness), which lens would you recommend on a Nikon z50, between this one and the sigma 17-50 with the FTZ adapter? Thank you so much!

[@steventhomas231]

Lovely looking travel lens now if only nikon would make some dx primes but unlikely with nikons dx history which is a shame cos this would be a lovely travel camera.

[@FuckYouTubeForHandles]

If you could also test M4/3 lenses...) Your methodology is very useful for practical purposes.

[@mistergiovanni7183]

Unlike the Sony, in this case you need two hands to turn on the hand, one to move the power and another to move the lens ring, which is quite annoying for a compact camera that could be operated with only one hand.

[@pixert]

Please review nikon f mount lenses

[@jiajianhou426]

With the z50 I’d say the combo is in competition with point and shoot cameras lol

[@Cagey7531]

Panasonic and Olympus have been doing collapsable lenses for over a decade now on the M43 system, it's nothing new really. Fuji also have something similar [15-45 XC kit lens]

[@webdaddy]

Much better than Sony's APSC 16-50PZ, which is much poorer.

[@zozo76hun]

Please enable subtitles! Thank you, from Hungary!

[@gemstyxwalls1419]

I've noticed the shutter won't click in low light.Overall it takes pretty decent photo's.

[@IanWilkinson]

Helpful review, thanks. Does the Z 7 automatically revert to APS-C mode when this lens is attached, as with a Sony FF body?

[@sloppyjoe9156]

Yes

[@christopherfrost]

Yes, it does, a fact that I forgot when making this review

[@DystopianUtopia]

Would this be a good option for somebody thinking of buying the Z6-II with video in mind? The reason I say this is obviously it's a full frame camera but on 4k60p mode on the Z6II there is a 1.5x crop factor. I was thinking a lens like this would be a good option if you wanted to shoot wide angle while still getting 4k 60 fps footage to compensate for the annoying crop factor in this mode . Would it work as intended?

[@pjc3163]

I was thinking of something similar using this lens with my Z5 as it has a 1.7x crop factor when shooting in 4k mode.

[@Digmen1]

Its a shame Nikon does not make a good portrait lens with good bokeh! Its such a jump to full frame (money-wise)

[@salfernandez5534]

@Christopher Frost Photography Great review of both Z50 lenses. What would be a good replacement lens for this lens (16-50mm)? I would like a little faster lens for better low light photos. Possibly an f/2.8 in this zoom range. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@christopherfrost]

On the Nikon Z system, your options are extremely limited unless you want to try getting some adaptor to fit other lenses (you could try the Nikon FTZ adaptor, and Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 DX lens - that would be expensive and a bit unwieldy, though)

[@PedroAguiar1]

Which lens you guys recommend for the ZFC? This kit lens or the 28 2.8? I probably only will use for street photography, and some portraits. I’m quite worried about how slow this lens is.

[@ruelapas6240]

Very nice.. Thank you. 🙏🇵🇭.

[@jotjotzzz5357]

It’s unfortunate that this goes 18-50mm to f3.5-6.3. Old Nikon lenses used to go from 18-55mm and at f3.5-5.6. I wish they could have improved them maybe start at f2.8. Sigh.

[@fjphoto23]

I'm using it and much sharper than my old F mount equivalent. The Z lenses are really advanced than the F mounds.

[@juanquispe3494]

Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 and Nikon Z 35mm 1.8 with Nikon Z50 please

[@christopherfrost]

I've already tested the 50mm lens, and I included an APS-C test in that video

[@patrick.771]

Photo-me-Ike compared the Z50 and the Z6 with the prime lenses side to side if you are interested. Image quality is excellent!

[@phatrix111]

I cant stand Nikons locking button switch. This is a much better implementation with a click

[@bunnyjumb]

Do more Manual Focus Lenses for Nikon z50 pls I don't have money to buy FX Z lenses :(

[@djiflyer_mavic5912]

correct if i'm wrong,nikon z7 /z7II 40+ megapixel,not 20+right? 20plus is only z50. z6/z6II 24+megapixel....

[@mneedes2]

Put an APS-C lens such as this on the Z7 and it will internally crop to ~20 megapixel.

[@basukisugito3275]

Is quite slow lens, how is that effect for everyday use?

[@Wabajak13]

Small lenses yes! I wish Sony would make a full frame PZ equivalent of their 16-50.

[@Wabajak13]

Oh shoot I didn't read the title and thought this was the new 24-50 full frame kit Nikon lens. My point still stands.

[@ATalentedMovement]

comparable with Canon Mark 50 Mark 2?

[@xMotivationFix]

Hell, just make something similar the canon's 24mm f2.8 pancake lens, and i may think about it.

[@bhwrice]

I am also waiting for the z-mount prime pancakes.... they are on the lens release schedule but probably not for a while.

[@MB-dq2gz]

They have 28mm and 40mm pancakes in their roadmap

[@mikeelyobersi8020]

Can you use this in the Nikon D7100

[@Axonteer]

Personally - looking back at old old me in 2014 thinking "im boss" with my Canon 700D and the kit lense... (18mp) ... as long as the lense is sharp and has an accurate and "quick" ish autofocus, i can accept a darker paerture as an "compromise". I have an unhealthy ammount of canon lenses for a non professional but past a certain point i feel that sharpness only shows its difference in a lab-envoriment. Thats where AF and Aperture (and obviously Image Stabilisation) comes into play. What confusesd me though, looking at this funny little lense - canon has a 17-55mm f2.8 lense for apcs with IS - and the F4 24-70 with IS for the full frame sensor... but why are the other 2.8 lenses lenses not equipped with IS... you cant say its space constraints looking at this little thing. Ive sold off my 77D to a friend now and he enjoys the 17-55mm 2.8 as much as i did - sharp accurate and has is - what do you want more? Ok there are a lot of things.... but being realistic as a cannon shooter - this lense doesnt look all that bad - ive seen much worse that carried the label "kit lens"

[@imoldgreggboosh3467]

I must be wrong cause all the reviewers do the same thing - they apply the 1.5 times factor of focal length equivalence in both directions, stating that the DX lens at 50mm equals an FX lens of 75mm. Now we all know that an FX 50mm lens gives the field of view of 75mm when put on a DX camera, then why would it work in reverse the same way? The formula for focal length is DX=FX(1.5). Did I forget all my math or does that mean that DX/(1.5)=FX ? That makes the focal length equivalence of a 50mm DX lens to be 33.3mm in the FX format, NOT 75mm. Of course it doesn't fill the frame, so are they allowing for this in some esoteric way that I don't see ?

[@Y--H]

Hi, you mentioned "If you fit this lens onto a full-frame Z-mount camera, you'll get very heavy vignetting around the edges". However I thought in that case a fill-frame Z camera will be forced to use DX mode. There's no way to switch to FX mode. Can you verify this?

[@christopherfrost]

You could be right, there - in fact, I think you are

[@airjaff]

I know on my z6 when I put an apsc lens on it, it auto crops. There is no way to use fx mode on apsc lenses, like you can on nikon Dslr's

[@patrick.771]

the Z6 or Z7 automatically switches into DX mode. The cheap Nikon 50-250 should be a great tele lens for the Z7 (and also Z6 if you are okay with 10 MP or so). Matt Irwin did a great review, the image quality of the Z 50-250 on Z7 is almost as good as a very expensive FX lens.

[@elram2649]

Wait, wait, wait... I'm confused. Regarding this lens: Does the 16mm equal 24mm while still mounted on a DX camera?! Or, does it remain 16mm? I mean, I know that a 16mm DX lens mounted on a Full Frame camera equals 24mm but... If a 16mm DX lens is mounted on a DX camera, shouldn't it remain 16mm? In other words: Why should it become 24mm even though it's mounted on a DX camera? Can somebody please clear this up for me? Much appreciated. Thank you. ✌️

[@victorlim5077]

16mm on DX is the same angle of view (AOV) as a 24mm lens in FX.

[@elram2649]

@Victor Lim Thank you so much! I've just now (literally) finished watching a bunch of videos (right before your timely comment) regarding this question of mine and finally got the confirmation I was looking after. 👌 That being, always check the advertised FOV on lenses marked as having the same Focal length made for different camera sensors. That settles it for me. It made it so much easier for me to comprehend exactly how it works. Thank you for your timely contribution! 🙏

[@paulbishal]

is it wide angle lense?

[@Mmmjakis]

How does putting a filter on this lens work? It just goes on the smallest part that extends all the way?

[@v3rshrik]

filter fine have used standard and polarising have both size is on back of lens cap quite a small one

[@Mmmjakis]

@@v3rshrik awesome thanks 😎

[@jonathanraecrisanto5912]

I hope future Nikon mirrorless APS-C bodies will have IBIS. Z-mount is such a waste of size for the Z50

[@user-cg1tl2ks7t]

Does this lens fit nikon 3500

[@dniliveact]

📸

[@abhaystephenukken]

Can i add it in z6ii

[@cbr_n]

Holy hell that's tiny

[@hasanmaherashid]

📷

[@helsonly722]

Nikon z50 or m6 mkii? Cant decide

[@victorlim5077]

M6 mkii is a dead end. Canon not going to introduce new lenses and bodies for the EF-M mount. Better invest in the R10 or R50.

[@helsonly722]

@@victorlim5077 yeah i figured. Went nikon route

[@Audimann]

For those type of cameras I rather go with Fujifilm.

[@jamespabonita5510]

How does he pronounce "Z mount" again?

[@christopherfrost]

"Zed" mount, I believe he said.

[@jamespabonita5510]

Excuse my ignorance but I didn't knew there was a "zed mount" on nikon. I thought it's just a difference on your accent Chris 😅✌️

[@christopherfrost]

@@jamespabonita5510 It is just a difference in my accent. British people pronounce 'Z' 'Zed', rather than 'Zee'.

[@jamespabonita5510]

Oh dear, I see. Thank you for shedding light to my ignorance Chris! Great content as always. ❤️

[@nashsok]

@@christopherfrost Australians pronounce it 'Zed' as well - I have two Aussie coworkers and every once and I while I catch myself slipping into how they pronounce certain words!

[@aliefabdurrahman3302]

Maybe this is your first Video when you have camera lend from Nikon Christ.

[@christopherfrost]

That's right. As I mentioned at the beginning, I borrowed the camera and lens for just over a week, before sending it back.

[@sussar]

I hate plastic mount!

[@opalyankaBG]

Thanks for the info.

[@vaibhavpisal]

I see you don't like to enjoy good Nikon glass being a canon shooter forever. Lol.

[@doogieham]

What gave you that idea? I appreciate the fact that Chris has been doing non-Canon reviews of lenses and bodies for quite a while. Thanks Chris!

[@christopherfrost]

What are you talking about?

[@vaibhavpisal]

@@christopherfrost Nothing serious. Just relax.

[@christopherfrost]

@@vaibhavpisal I wasn't particularly upset - it's just that your comment didn't really make sense

[@narsplace]

Over price lens.

[@sirisrimadhava5576]

Bad lenss frauds engineer

[@T4ish0]

3:54 looks bad, especially the vegetation and rocks. Get Canon R50 with its kit lens instead.

[@victorlim5077]

You have to be kidding. This is a low res clip from the video.

[@jimgeorgantis]

Cmon man this is a fail lens.. All plastic F3,5-6,3🤢🤮 No reason to buy this.. waste of money

[@doogieham]

It's your loss for being a metal snob. I've tried pancake kit zooms from Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus and Samsung. This one smokes all of them, except the Samsung which, sadly, was a really fine lens.

[@jimgeorgantis]

doogieham Okay man fk the plastc material but.. F3,5 - 6,3.. realy??? REALY??😅😂 cmon wake up this is poor lens

[@patrick.771]

best lens for hiking. Very lightweight, sharp, goes down to 16mm, and for landscape I don't need a fast lens. The package with the 50-250 and the Z50 weighs less than 1 kilo.

[@christopherfrost]

@@jimgeorgantis I think you're missing the point of this lens...

[@MB-dq2gz]

@@patrick.771 exactly the lens and Z50 are so small I put it in one of my nikkor lens pouches and keep it in my car so I don't have to be disatisfied with my cellphone when I need a photo. It isn't a feat that I can do with my Z6 24-70mm F/4 lens. I find myself actually enjoying this camera more than my Z6 because it is always with me.