The latest mirrorless camera, the Z50, is for everyone. So, now everyone wants to know, what are the compatible best lenses for Nikon Z50 in 2021?
The camera itself is fantastic. But you likely want to pair it up with a stellar lens that can capture everything just the way you want it captured. Naturally, you want the best.
Finding the top possible compatible lenses for Nikon Z50, means you either have to do a lot of digging up information online, or you find someone who has already dug up a bunch of information for you.
And I’m here to do just that for you.
I’m going to go over the tech details for several different compatible lenses, highlight pros and cons, compare their stats, present questions, answer them, and provide you with an actionable Buyers Guide/FAQ at the end with all the insight you need to make a buying decision.
Everyone has unique situations and unique desires. So, let’s find the greatest lenses for your new mirrorless Nikon Z50 camera!
Let’s get to it then…
Best Overall Prime Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S
This is a great wide-angle prime lens with a 24mm focal length. Go for this lens if you want the sharpest and most detailed photos.
In fact, of all the Nikon NIKKOR lenses, including their fast f/1.8 apertures, this one has the widest angle.
Perhaps, this is your best lens for Nikon Z50 if you need wide angles for landscapes and real estate photography and such, but you don’t want to sacrifice the aperture.
Along with the other NIKKORs, you also get a rounded nine-blade diaphragm for great bokeh and Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating along with weather-resistance for the outdoor lover in you.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Overall Zoom Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
With this lens, you have a great zoom range, 24-70mm being the focal length. It allows you to go fairly wide-angle, and still afford yourself some flexibility to zoom it back in.
This is a great lens for your Nikon Z50 if you are interested in multiple types of photography.
The aperture is f/2.8, which is fairly good for a zoom lens and it’s nice that it’s a consistent aperture throughout the zoom range.
This lens has got more protection from ghosting and improved color fidelity along with contrast in your shots.
You can achieve majorly awesome bokeh with this lens due to a rounded nine-blade diaphragm. It’s actually the only of the zoom lenses being suggested here with that amazing nine-blade diaphragm.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Budget Prime Lens
Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8
The budget friendly Samyang has the widest angle of all the prime lenses I am suggesting in this article. 14mm means landscapes ahoy!
However, you make a sacrifice with the aperture at just f/2.8. So, you’ll have to evaluate how important that is for you.
You do still have a weather-resistant prime lens which comes with Ultra Multi-Coating.
With this budget lens, you are able to prevent all types of aberrations. If aberrations are a constant struggle for you to deal with, then this may be the best lens for your Nikon Z50.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Budget Zoom Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
This wide-angle budget friendly zoom lens will get you those landscape shots you may want at a lesser price.
Due to its light weight, it could also be a nice travel companion.
The aperture range is f3.5 – 6.3, so it’s not that fast and it’s not consistent throughout the zoom range but it is still pretty decent.
The 1 extra-low dispersion element and 4 aspherical elements will provide the sharpest details in your photos.
A rounded seven-blade diaphragm will also help you capture some great bokeh.
One downside though is that it is not weather-resistant and it only has Super Integrated Coating, which is not that bad actually.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Value Prime Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
The greatest feature of this lens in comparison to the others is its balance in my opinion.
This lens isn’t the widest angle available, but it’s somewhere in the middle when compared.
You won’t be sacrificing much with this great all-around lens.
Two aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements means aberrations of all types are simply kept away. And when compared to the others, you guessed it, that’s a right in the middle kind of balance.
This weather-resistance lens provides beautiful bokeh and possesses Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Value Zoom Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
Here, we have a great zoom range on this lens with 24-70mm focal length. That means you can go fairly wide-angle here, and still afford yourself some flexibility to zoom it back in.
This is a great fairly-priced lens for your Nikon Z50 if you are interested in multiple types of photography.
The aperture is just f/4, which isn’t the best. Still fairly good for a zoom lens and it’s nice that it’s a consistent aperture throughout the zoom range.
This weather-resistant 500-gram lens does everything fairly well along with its 3 aspherical elements and 1 unique aspherical extra-low dispersion element. It will block out a variety of aberrations!
Thanks to its rounded seven-blade diaphragm, you can also achieve some nice bokeh.
Read the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
The mirrorless camera movement has been happening, and Nikon is right in the mix of it all with their Z series.
Nikon’s Z series started with the Z6 and Z7, also known as The All-Arounder and The Perfectionist, respectively.
The price points for those cameras were what you might expect when you realize what they can do.
Incredible pieces of technology, and worth every cent.
Nikon now has the Z50, or The Collaborator.
As they say, it’s the camera for the rest of us.
This thing is still phenomenal. It has 4K Ultra HD. It has a Smartphone pairing.
And the price is much more affordable.
So, if you’re in the market for this camera, or you already have purchased it, then getting the right lens is likely your next step.
But what do you want the lens for?
Are you looking to shoot some outdoor activities?
Indoor sports?
Are you more artistic when a camera is in your hand?
Is it film-making that has tickled your fancy?
These questions, and more, are what you need to be asking yourself.
Choosing the best lens for Nikon Z50 is all about what the intended purpose is.
And maybe price plays a factor in it for you. Maybe it doesn’t at all.
Here, I am going to sift through all the details and questions and make sense of all of this.
I’ll come out on the other end with some clarity and some answers and you’ll be able to pick the best lenses for your new Nikon Z50.
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon Z5
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D3100
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D780
Read also: Best Lenses for Nikon D6
Read also: Best lenses for Sports photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Wildlife photography
Read also: Best lense sfor Real Estate photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Car photography
What are the Best Lenses for Nikon Z50 in 2021?
Quick Answer:
Best Prime Lenses for Nikon Z50
Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z50
Comparison Table for the Best Prime Lenses for Nikon Z50
| Camera Lens | On Amazon | Elements | Coating / Weather Resistance | Diaphragm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S |
 
|
2 aspherical; 2 extra-low dispersion | Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded nine-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S |
 
|
3 aspherical; 2 extra-low dispersion | Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded nine-blade |
| Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 |
 
|
1 aspherical; 1 hybrid aspherical; 2 extra-low dispersion; 3 high refractive index | Ultra Multi-Coating / Yes | Rounded six-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S |
 
|
4 aspherical; 1 extra-low dispersion | Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded nine-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S |
 
|
2 extra-low dispersion | A Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded nine-blade |
Comparison Table for the Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z50
| Camera Lens | On Amazon | Elements | Coating / Weather Resistance | Diaphragm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S |
 
|
1 unique aspherical extra-low dispersion; 3 aspherical | Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded seven-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S |
 
|
4 aspherical; 2 extra-low dispersion | ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats and a Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded nine-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR |
 
|
4 aspherical; 1 extra-low dispersion | Super Integrated Coating / No | Rounded seven-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S |
 
|
4 aspherical; 4 extra-low dispersion | Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating / Yes | Rounded seven-blade |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR |
 
|
1 extra-low dispersion | Super Integrated Coating / No | Rounded seven-blade |
Best Prime Lenses for Nikon Z50 (2021)
1. Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S | Best Value Prime Lens for Nikon Z50
Here we have the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S with a nice bright aperture.
Though, of all the Nikon NIKKOR lenses I am reviewing here, the aperture is f/1.8.
If having a fast lens is your main focus for a prime, then you’ll have plenty to choose from.
50mm is the focal length, so this isn’t the widest angle available, but it’s somewhere in the middle when compared.
Probably the greatest feature of this lens in comparison to the others is its balance.
You won’t be sacrificing much with this lens.
It is indeed a great all-around lens.
2 aspherical elements and 2 extra-low dispersion elements means aberrations of all types are kept away.
And when compared to the others, you guessed it, that’s a right in the middle kind of balance.
And the weight is 415 grams. So, it’s definitely a lighter lens.
For all the Nikon NIKKOR prime lenses being reviewed, you also get a rounded nine-blade diaphragm for beautiful bokeh.
And they also have Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating and weather-resistance.
So what, you may ask, really stands out for this lens?
The price!
Just about $590, the cheapest of all the prime lenses with that bright f/1.8 aperture.
If you want great value for your money, this is where you want to turn.
Pros
- Weather-resistant
- Great aperture; Great for bokeh
- Balanced number of elements
Cons
- Doesn’t excel in any one area
- Not the largest or smallest focal length
User Experience:
And now we’ll get to the user reviews for our first entry on the list of Nikon Z50 lenses.
These reviews are all from Amazon users.
1) It’s a very high-quality lens that is guaranteed to work in every situation.
The color and clarity of the captured shots are amazing.
Very well done Nikon!
2) I’m a huge prime lens user.
Used to have Canon cameras and lenses for years.
I thought I had seen everything till I came across Nikon Z50 and this lens.
I am astonished by how much better my photos have become.
3) This is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon has ever produced.
Pair it with the Z7 camera and the sky will be your limit!
4) It’s very fast, has no chromatic aberrations, and delivers with the shot quality.
It’s really worth the price and the weight.
Expert Opinion:
2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
Alright, now we have the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S with the same fast f/1.8 aperture, but we have pulled out to a wider angle at 35mm.
Now, you have the ability to capture more with your lens, but you’re not pulling out to the widest angle possible.
This is a great option if you’re trying to capture a great view, landscape.
But perhaps you still want to be able to capture a subject in the field.
This lens provides you with just enough of the shallow to get that done.
2 extra-low dispersion elements like the last lens but has 3 aspherical elements.
This lens will deliver sharper details and will have less image-softening effects.
Keep that in mind if that is of great importance to you.
And like the last lens you have a rounded nine-blade diaphragm and Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating along with weather-resistance.
Those two factors lend themselves to great bokeh and you not having to worry about the weather.
The weight of this lens is 370 grams, which is the lightest of all these prime lenses.
And the cost is about $845.
So, the price is higher, but of course that comes with the addition of an extra aspherical element and a wider focal length.
Well worth the extra money if those details appear on your checklist.
Pros
- Weather-resistant
- Great aperture; Great for bokeh
- Great number of balanced elements all while still being lightest lens
Cons
- Higher price
- Not the largest or smallest focal length
User Experience:
Let’s see what other users on Amazon have said about this lens.
1) It is a very nice lens and I love it.
But as much as it hurts to say, it has a fatal flaw that’s a deal-breaker for me.
This lens resets the focus every time I turn the camera off.
This will really mess with my ability to quickly take out the camera and shoot a rare moment.
2) Not only is the image quality impeccable, but the build quality of the lens itself is premium.
Still, it doesn’t have the feel of a 1.4 lens, but it’s a personal thing.
3) It already wins over any Z5 users due to the fact that it’s a native lens.
If that’s not enough of a reason to buy, it also has the amazing image quality and contrast.
4) The bokeh is nice, the focus is sharp.
It ticks all the boxes for me.
Nothing else comes close.
Expert Opinion:
3. Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 | Best Budget Prime Lens for Nikon Z50
Here, we are looking at the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8,which has all sorts of differences from the NIKKORs.
First off, it has the widest angle of all the prime lenses I am reviewing.
14mm means landscapes ahoy. This will be your best friend for that.
However, you make a sacrifice with the aperture at just f/2.8.
So, you’ll have to decide how important that will be for you.
Another sacrifice would be for those of you interested in capturing bokeh.
There is only a rounded six-blade diaphragm on this lens.
You do still have a weather-resistant lens and it comes with Ultra Multi-Coating.
Another advantage would be the vast amount of varying types of elements included.
1 aspherical; 1 hybrid aspherical; 2 extra-low dispersion; 3 high refractive index elements, which means you are able to prevent all types of aberrations with this lens.
If aberrations are a constant struggle for you to deal with, then this may be the best lens for your Nikon Z50.
The weight of this lens is 810 grams, so it is the heaviest one.
This may or may not be a problem for you.
However, another upside, it is only about $390, the cheapest of all these prime lenses.
Fantastic for anyone on a budget.
Pros
- Weather-resistant
- Cheapest lens
- Most elements and most variety of elements along with widest angle
Cons
- Heaviest lens
- Not the best for bokeh
- Worst aperture
User Experience:
It’s time for you to take a look at other users’ opinions on this lens and read about their experience with it.
1) It’s a cheap lens, so don’t expect anything fancy.
It’s not really bad for Nikon Z camera users.
2) I’ve used a bunch of other manual lenses.
After hours of fiddling with this lens, I’ve come to a conclusion.
No matter how much you try, the images will always be blurry.
Absolutely not worth it.
3) I’m a real estate agent.
I use this to capture professional images from houses and apartments.
It’s been very good so far.
4) I love this lens.
It’s sharp enough for me and the distortion levels are manageable.
What bothers me is that I ordered the Sony compatible version and they sent me the Canon version instead.
Had to go through so many hoops to get back to square 1.
Expert Opinion:
4. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S | Best Overall Prime Lens for Nikon Z50
Here, we still have the nice wide-angle Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens with a 24mm focal length.
Not as wide as the Samyang reviewed earlier, but of all the Nikon NIKKORs, including their fast f/1.8 apertures, this has the widest angle.
Maybe this is your best lens for Nikon Z50 if you want wide angles for landscapes and such, but you don’t want to sacrifice the aperture.
Along with the other NIKKORs, you of course get a rounded nine-blade diaphragm for great bokeh and Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating along with weather-resistance for the outdoor lover in you.
This lens has just 1 extra-low dispersion element, so it will fight chromatic aberrations to some extent, not as much as the others.
But it has the most aspherical elements at 4.
Think of this lens if you want the sharpest, most detailed photos.
The weight is 450 grams, so not too light, but not too heavy.
The cost is about $996, so this is the most expensive of them, but for good reason.
It has most of the best features and top of the line quality.
Pros
- Weather-resistant
- Great aperture; Great for bokeh
- Highest number of aspherical elements
Cons
- Most expensive lens
- Least number of extra-low dispersion elements
User Experience:
These are some of the user reviews for this Nikon Z50 lens we found on Amazon.
Take a look!
1) I bought mine at a fair price.
It’s been working very well and has gotten me many high-quality shots.
2) I paid 675 British pounds for this on the Amazon Market Place.
It was my first purchase there, but I’m really happy with it so far.
I’m not a fan of manual focus, but I know lots of you out there will love it.
The results so far have been amazing.
3) The autofocus mechanism is silent.
You could be in absolute silence and still not hear the motors moving inside the lens.
The bokeh is the best.
4) It’s a bit too expensive for me, but I’m a professional photographer so I decided to bite the bullet.
I have nothing but good words for the image quality.
It’s also surprisingly light.
Expert Opinion:
5. Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Now we zoom in to this 85mm telephoto prime lens great for your Nikon Z50.
Obviously not for wide angles but great for portraiture.
Same bright f/1.8 aperture as the other NIKKORs.
Additional similarities to the other NIKKORs includes the rounded nine-blade diaphragm for artists looking to capture amazing bokeh.
Remember this. Also, it has Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating and is weather-resistant so take it with you anywhere, outdoor or indoor.
Now, onto the elements. It has 2 extra-low dispersion elements which will help with chromatic aberrations.
However, it has no aspherical element.
That fact alone can be good or not so good.
Not so good if you want to block out aspherical aberrations.
But when you pair that with the rounded nine-blade diaphragm, that bodes well for bokeh.
It will actually help you to achieve the best bokeh of all these prime lenses.
The weight is 470 grams, not a light lens, but not the heaviest one either.
The cost for this lens is about $795, so right in the middle in terms of the costs of all these lenses.
If the specific details of these lenses call out to the specific uses you have in mind, the price point is right on par.
Pros
- Weather-resistant
- Great aperture; Great for bokeh
- Good amount of extra-low dispersion elements
Cons
- No aspherical elements
- Far from the widest angle
- Not a particularly light lens
User Experience:
1) Professional wedding photographer here.
With this lens, I could finally say goodbye to all the awful chromatic aberrations of my old lens.
Not just that, but this one costs half the price of my previous lens.
It’s a steal for me.
2) The Z lenses are the exact reason why so many professional photographers stick with Nikon.
Nikon makes nothing but the absolute best.
You won’t find this level of perfection with lenses from any other brands.
3) I just wish it was a little less expensive.
Then again, I wish everything was cheaper, haha!
Either way, it’s a really really good lens.
4) I had to wait such a long time for it to finally get shipped.
I’m happy it was worth the wait.
Both the build quality and picture quality not just meet my expectations, they far surpass them.
Expert Opinion:
Best Zoom Lenses for Nikon Z50 (2021)
6. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S | Best Value Zoom Lens for Nikon Z50
We have a great zoom range on the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S , 24-70mm being the focal length.
That means you can go fairly wide-angle here, and still afford yourself some flexibility to zoom back in.
This is a great lens if you have multiple types of photography that interest you.
The aperture is just f/4, which isn’t the best.
Still fairly good for a zoom lens and it’s nice that it’s a consistent aperture throughout the zoom range.
It has Nano Crystal Coating and Super Integrated Coating and is weather-resistant so feel free to take it with you outdoor even in inclement weather conditions.
A rounded seven-blade diaphragm will help you achieve some nice bokeh.
This lens does everything fairly well along with its 3 aspherical elements and 1 unique aspherical extra-low dispersion element.
It will block out a variety of aberrations, less so with those chromatic in nature.
This lens clocks in at an even 500 grams.
With a cost of about $995, this zoom lens is fairly priced and gives you plenty of good qualities to work with and you don’t have to worry about it costing you all that much.
Pros
- Flexible zoom range
- Weather-resistant
- Good number of varied elements
Cons
- Aperture is only decent
- Fairly heavy lens
- Only decent for bokeh
User Experience:
Let’s read some of the user reviews for this lens on Amazon.
1) It’s the best bang for your buck.
I’m not a fan of the locking/ unlocking mechanism but can’t complain at this price point.
2) I love everything about it.
The design quality is very high.
It’s also big enough to make you feel good while holding it.
3) I use this lens for everything.
I love recording videos on it mostly.
Nikon never disappoints.
4) The quality of the pictures is amazing.
But be warned that some parts of the lens are plastic.
Don’t drop it or it’s gone!
Expert Opinion:
7. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S | Best Overall Zoom Lens for Nikon Z50
Now, we’re taking a look at the big brother of the last lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.
You notice a similarity right off the bat, the similar 27-70mm focal length.
This will lend itself to the same types of shots you would like to capture; somewhat wide, somewhat zoomed in.
The aperture is faster here, at f/2.8.
If you want brighter, here you go.
And it’s consistent throughout the zoom range.
This lens is also weather-resistant but also has ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats and a Super Integrated Coating on the elements.
This is a step up in that department and offers more protection from ghosting and improved color fidelity along with contrast in your shots.
In terms of elements incorporated, here you have 2 extra-low dispersion and 4 aspherical elements.
Another step up in another department. Less aberrations are coming through here.
Lastly, you’ll have a rounded nine-blade diaphragm with this lens.
Achieve majorly awesome bokeh with this lens.
It’s the only of the zoom lenses being reviewed with that amazing nine-blade diaphragm.
The weight of this lens is 805 grams.
The cost of this lens is about $2,296.
It is, by far, the heaviest and most expensive of the zoom lenses.
But you can see why. You basically get the best in every respect.
Pros
- Weather-resistant and has the top of the line ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coats and a Super Integrated Coating
- Great for bokeh
- Flexible zoom range and fastest aperture
Cons
- Most expensive zoom lens
- Heaviest zoom lens
User Experience:
Next up we’ll go over some of the user reviews for this product on Amazon.
1) I’m a videographer with more of my focus on recording videos than shooting photos.
Most of the things I shoot are products, cityscapes, and nightscapes.
When going in, I wasn’t sure if this was the best choice for me.
After spending a few weeks with it, it has become my second nature to use this lens.
10/10 would recommend.
2) I’ve used this for days now.
It is definitely the finest zoom lens I’ve ever had.
Contrast, sharpness, and noise levels are all ideal on this lens.
3) More and more people have begun to understand the importance of zoom lenses in photography.
I’m one of those people.
This was my entry into the world of Zoom lenses, only thing is, I don’t think I’ll ever buy another one since this little monster has got me covered for literally anything.
4) I’ve used 24-70 zoom lenses for years.
But upon getting this one, I’ve realized how bad I had it with the old lens.
The image sharpness will literally make your eyes bleed!
Expert Opinion:
8. Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Best Budget Zoom Lens for Nikon Z50
Let’s take a look at a zoom lens with a different range, the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR.
You can’t zoom as much as the last two, but you can get wider angles with the 16-50mm focal length range.
The range is less as well, and you are still afforded plenty of flexibility.
But this lens will get you those landscape shots you may want.
The aperture range is f3.5 – 6.3 so it’s not as fast and it’s not consistent throughout the zoom range but it is still decent.
One downside is that it is not weather-resistant and it only has Super Integrated Coating, which is not bad.
It’s just not up to par with the first two lenses in that regard.
Just 1 extra-low dispersion element but has 4 aspherical elements, which is matching the best you can get here with these zoom lenses.
That will provide the sharpest details in your photos.
A rounded seven-blade diaphragm will help you capture some great bokeh.
One more advantage is that this lens only weighs 135 grams which makes it the lightest of the zoom lenses.
Perfect if you want something easy to travel around with.
And the cost is about $335 on Amazon making it the least expensive of all these zoom lenses.
Another nice bonus for you if you’re shopping for the best Nikon Z50 lens on a budget.
Pros
- Flexible zoom range with wide angle available
- Cheapest and lightest zoom lens
- 4 aspherical elements are tied with the most of all zoom lenses
Cons
- Not weather-resistant and only has Super Integrated Coating
- Only decent for bokeh and decent for aperture
- Only has 1 extra-low dispersion element
User Experience:
Once again, we’re going to read some of the Amazon user reviews for this lens.
1) It can produce some amazing results on some close-ups and landscape shots.
However, it can have some weird effects if you shoot other kinds of photos.
Still a very nice lens.
2) I was shocked to find this is actually a decent lens.
The reason for the shock?
It’s because the packaging makes you feel like someone hand-crafted this thing using recycled ocean plastics!
But as soon as you attach it to the camera, it proves otherwise.
3) It’s turned into my go-to lens for my Z6 camera.
I’ll give it full stars.
4) I bought this lens for my Nikon Z6 camera.
The pictures captured on this lens are a little dark.
Still can’t complain since I paid so little for this lens.
It’s great for quick shots throughout the day.
Expert Opinion:
9. Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S
Here, we have the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S, with the smallest range for the focal length, but you are also afforded the widest angle with 14-30mm.
You have some flexibility in the zoom, but if wide angles on nice big landscapes is your thing, this is the widest angle you’ll get.
Additionally, it’s nice that you have a consistent f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range.
Not the brightest aperture available but decent.
The nice Nano Crystal Coat and Super Integrated Coating are included on this lens.
Pair that with it being weather-resistant and this is a perfect camera to take with you, no matter the weather.
Also, it has a rounded seven-blade diaphragm for the bokeh lover in you.
One of the other advantages of this lens in comparison to the other zoom lenses, is that it has 4 aspherical elements to block out aspherical aberrations, that’s tied with the most of any of these zoom lenses.
It also has 4 extra-low dispersion elements for keeping chromatic aberrations at bay, that’s more than any of these lenses.
So, if you’re looking for the sharpest color quality and detail, this may be the best lens for your Nikon Z50.
It’s weight is 485 grams. And the cost is about $1,296 for this quality lens.
Pros
- Widest angle available with 14-30mm focal length range
- Weather-resistant
- 4 aspherical and 4 extra-low dispersion elements equals the greatest number of elements of the zoom lenses
Cons
- 14-30mm focal length range means least flexibility with the zoom
- Only decent for bokeh
- On the heavier side and more expensive side among the zoom lenses
User Experience:
Let’s see what users on Amazon have to say about this Nikon Z 50 lens.
1) I have to say I bought this by accident.
I like it because of how little weighs and the size is also very small for what it is.
Despite all this, it doesn’t feel like a toy and I love the quality.
2) If you’re a real photographer, you’ll understand this lens and love it.
It’s best for the Z series users who want a super light zoom lens that doesn’t compromise on the quality.
3) I fell in love with the lens from the moment I got it.
I immediately started shooting photos of our house, rooms, and my family.
It has a much wider view than my old 24-70 kit.
4) This is the pinnacle of optical engineering, once again done by Nikon.
It’s essentially a super-powerful zoom lens inside a tiny body.
10. Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR
And of all the zoom lenses, we are now looking at the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR, which has the largest range in the focal length, 50-250mm.
That also is the farthest zoom you will get of any of them.
Keep that in mind if flexibility in zoom range is what you want.
For those of you wanting to capture images far away, this is a choice lens right here.
However, with an aperture range of f/4.5 – 6.3, you don’t have a consistent aperture throughout zoom, and it is not the fastest aperture available.
Perhaps you’ll want to take this outdoors but keep in mind, it only has a Super Integrated Coating and is not weather-resistant.
Good for clear skies, not so much with inclement weather conditions.
Now, this lens does not have any aspherical elements and only has 1 extra-low dispersion elements.
At first glance, that may seem to be a disadvantage. And it may be for you.
But consider this, if you think about how it pairs with the rounded seven-blade diaphragm, the lack of aspherical elements can actually help enhance capturing some beautiful bokeh.
And there is 1 extra-low dispersion element to block out some chromatic aberrations, but perhaps color is not as important to your photos, especially if you are looking to go the artistic route of bokeh and “out-of-focus” looks.
This lens weighs 405 grams, which is right around in the middle comparatively.
Another nice quality, this lens will only cost you about $345.
That’s definitely on the low side for these zoom lenses.
Pros
- Not too heavy and one of the cheaper zoom lenses
- Most flexible zoom range with 50-250mm
- No aspherical elements paired with rounded seven-blade diaphragm can pair together for great bokeh
Cons
- Not weather-resistant and only has Super Integrated Coating
- 50-250mm also means least wide angle available of all the zoom lenses
- No aspherical elements can be a downside as well
User Experience:
And now we’ve come to the last entry on the list of Nikon Z50 lenses.
Let’s get to the Amazon user reviews.
1) For a kit lens, its performance blows everything out of water.
It’s so compact and yet produces very sharp images.
It goes well on full-frame Z6 and Z7 cameras.
2) Please buy this in the kit when you order Nikon Z50.
Otherwise, you’re gonna end up paying $150 extra for the lens.
It’s a fantastic lens for the price, but wouldn’t be worth it with the extra money you would end up burning on it.
3) I feel like I’ve been scammed.
None of the things Amazon had listed with this product were in the box.
The lens itself is good, but where is all the stuff that was supposed to come with it?
4) This is a lens from the Nikon Z DX series.
That means you can put it on Z7 and it’ll adjust to the DX-format automatically.
This way you’ll get similar results as to what a Nikon Z50 could put out.
Expert Opinion:
Best Lenses for Nikon Z50 (2021) — Buyers Guide
So, now we have gone over multiple choices for prime lenses and zoom lenses.
You know a lot more details about them.
And that’s going to be helpful in the long run.
You probably already had some questions you needed answered.
Maybe you have come up with more questions while reading this.
We’ll analyze the information we have now to answer some questions so you can figure out what the best lenses are for Nikon Z50, so you can go ahead and get to finding the one for you.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have when trying to find the best lenses for Nikon Z50.
What is the best compatible Nikon Z50 lens if I don’t care about the cost?
For prime lenses, that would be the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S in my opinion, especially if you want the most aspherical elements.
However, if you want a more balanced approach to the elements in your lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S makes a very strong case.
For zoom lenses, zoom no further than the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.
What is the cheapest lens for the mirrorless Nikon Z50 that is also compatible?
For prime lenses, that is the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8.
For zoom lenses, it’s the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR.
Which is the lightest compatible lens for Nikon Z50?
For prime lenses, it’s the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S.
Along with being the cheapest zoom lens, the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is also the lightest zoom lens.
Which lens is the best landscape lens for Nikon Z50?
For the prime lenses, if aperture isn’t of the greatest concern to you, then I would say the Samyang MF 14mm f/2.8 would be your best landscape lens.
If aperture is of importance, then choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S.
For zoom lenses, I would say you should choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S.
Another good detail, all these three lenses are weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry if skies are not so clear.
What are the best lenses for Nikon Z50 in terms of producing shots with great bokeh?
For prime lenses, go with the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S.
Though you really can’t go wrong with any of the NIKKORs on my list.
For zoom lenses I would choose either the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S or the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR.
There is a large price difference, so choose the latter if your main and near-only concern is bokeh.
But if there are other things you are interested, consider the first option.
What are the best Nikon Z50 lenses if I want the best value?
For prime lenses, I would choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S.
It is well-balanced in all of its qualities, and it is possessing the same fast aperture that all the other NIKKOR primes have.
For zoom lenses, I would choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.
This is the cheapest of all the weather-resistant zoom lenses and it is fairly balanced in all of its qualities.
And it maintains a decent, consistent aperture throughout the zoom range.
Best Lenses for Nikon Z50 (2021) — Conclusions
There are a lot of lenses to choose from, clearly.
All have their advantages and disadvantages.
As long as you know the details, then you can figure out which are the best lenses for Nikon Z50.
The fact that there are so many different advantages among the various lenses, lends itself to all the different desires and needs you could possibly have.
There is most certainly a perfect lens for your Nikon Z50.
You’ll know by now, after attaining all this information, which lens will best suit your needs.
But let me give you a quick breakdown just to help with those of you that may not have the most specific of needs.
My Suggestions:
- If you want the absolute best prime lens for Nikon Z50, choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S.
- If you want the absolute best zoom lens, you want the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S.
- If you want the best value prime lens for Nikon Z50, choose the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S.
- If you want the best value zoom lens, consider the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S.
And above all, know exactly what it is that you want, and it will all be easy for you.
Because this article on the best lenses for Nikon Z50 have got it all.
