Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Nikon

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

$2,099~
MSRP (prices vary)
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Released: December 11, 2020
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.2
Max Aperture
Full-Frame
Coverage
Stabilized
1090g
Weight
82mm
Filter

Who the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is for

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is a full-frame 50mm f/1.2 standard prime for Nikon Z.

Best for

  • Portraits and low light — a fast f/1.2 aperture for blurred backgrounds.
  • Outdoor and travel use — a weather-sealed build.

Keep in mind

  • Heavy at 1090g (2.40 lb) — best balanced on larger bodies or a tripod.

How the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S compares to other Nikon Z Full-Frame standard lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 31 Nikon Z Full-Frame standard lenses in the catalogue, so you can see where this lens actually sits rather than reading its spec sheet in isolation.

SpecThis lensWhere it lands
Weight1090g (2.40 lb)4th heaviest of 31
Price (MSRP)$2,0995th most expensive of 31
Maximum aperturef/1.2joint 3rd widest of 31

Being both among the fastest and among the heaviest here is physics rather than coincidence: an f/1.2 maximum aperture needs a larger front element and more glass behind it, which is where the 1090g (2.40 lb) comes from.

What 50mm at f/1.2 actually gives you

50mm sits close to the way the eye takes in a scene, which is why this range tends to get used as a general-purpose focal length.

The f/1.2 maximum aperture is about as fast as production lenses get: it gathers a lot of light and throws backgrounds well out of focus, at the cost of a depth of field thin enough that focus accuracy starts to matter on close subjects.

Size and filters

At 1090g (2.40 lb) it has real presence on the front of a camera, though it stays hand-holdable for a session.

Filters are 82mm — worth checking against what you already own, since polarisers and ND filters at this size are reusable across any other lens sharing the thread.

Autofocus, stabilisation and weather sealing

Autofocus is driven by a Multi-focus Stepping motor.

There is no optical stabilisation in the lens, so handheld steadiness depends on the body having IBIS, or on keeping the shutter speed up.

The barrel is weather-sealed, so rain and dust are a manageable risk rather than a reason to pack up.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length50mm
Lens TypePrime
Optical Elements17
Optical Groups15

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/1.2
Minimum Aperturef/16
Aperture Blades11
Rounded ApertureYes

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageFull-Frame
Lens MountNikon Z
Angle of View47° – 47°
35mm Equivalent

Focus

AutofocusYes
Focus MotorMulti-focus Stepping
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchYes
Min Focus Distance45 cm
Max Magnification0.15x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationNo
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$2,099
Filter Size82mm
Diameter89.5mm
Length150mm
Weight1090g (2.40 lb)
Weather SealedYes
Tripod CollarNo

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