Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 20085 50-250mm
The 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens provides a 75-375mm equivalent reach with 5-stop Vibration Reduction, delivering sharp telephoto shots even in dim light. At just 404g and a high-value price point, it maintains portability while adding near-silent stepping motor AF and suppressed focus breathing for polished video. Best for budget-minded DX Z-mount shooters needing a versatile zoom for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects, especially hybrid creators capturing both stills and video.
Snapshot
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 100 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 250 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 62 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | stepping motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 500 |
| Max Magnification | 0.23x |
vs Competition
The all-in-one zoom market has gotten more interesting with recent entries. The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS pushes the range even further, offering a genuine wide-angle to super-telephoto reach that makes it a strong alternative for travel shooters who want one lens for everything. The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD remains a top pick for Sony E and Fuji X mirrorless users, with fast VXD autofocus and excellent stabilization. For those who prioritize optical quality over extreme zoom range, the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a classic DX workhorse with less distortion and sharper corners. Full-frame shooters should look at the Panasonic LUMIX S 28-200mm, which is compact for an L-mount travel zoom and pairs nicely with Panasonic's stabilization. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM remains a reliable, affordable option for Canon DSLR users, with Nano USM focusing that is smooth and nearly silent for video work. Compared to these, our reviewed lens holds its own in the mid-range but faces stiffer competition at both the budget and extended-reach ends of the spectrum.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 20085 50-250mm | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50-250mm | 28-75mm | 10-18mm | 12-60mm | 28-70mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/22 | f/4 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 404 | 540 | 260 | 320 | 495 | 420 |
| AF Type | stepping motor | VXD | Autofocus | linear motor | STM | SSM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 20085 50-250mm | 86.9 | 32 | 62.2 | 32.9 | 87.8 | 45.8 | 93.1 | 88 | 96.6 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.6 | 78.2 | 83.3 | 37.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 54.6 | 83.4 | 87.1 | 93.3 | 81.5 | 85.6 | 69 | 69.2 | 37.9 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98 | 88 | 83 | 50.2 | 90.2 | 85.6 | 93.1 | 63.9 | 83.2 |
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Compare | 86.9 | 25.9 | 70.2 | 80.3 | 85 | 22.6 | 77.1 | 88 | 98.5 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.2 | 80.1 | 75.4 | 31 | 86.9 | 69.8 | 92.3 | 50.6 | 92.8 |
