Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 50mm
Achieving true 1:1 magnification at a 160mm minimum focus distance, this 260g macro lens uses one ED and one aspherical element to control aberrations. Its weather-sealed, compact build makes it a practical choice for field work without adding bulk to a Z-series kit. This lens is best for nature photographers and product shooters who need life-size reproduction in a lightweight, walk-around form factor.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong macro (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong build (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong social proof (85th percentile) 85th
Cons
- Below average aperture (20th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (23rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 44 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 10 |
| Groups | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Fluorine coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 46 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 160 |
| Max Magnification | 1:1 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 260 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | STM | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | macro | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 50mm | 86.9 | 23 | 88.3 | 88.5 | 63.1 | 20.2 | 63.7 | 33.6 | 85.3 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78 | 65.2 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.1 | 91.2 | 97.7 | 55.5 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 81.9 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.1 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 89.7 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 81.9 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.1 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.3 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.5 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.5 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.7 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.9 | 98.5 | 67.4 | 38.5 | 82.2 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 89.7 | 36.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.