Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S 50mm
The f/1.2 maximum aperture and advanced 17-element optical design with ARNEO coatings deliver exceptional sharpness and depth-of-field control for subject isolation. Its weather-sealed, robust 1090g build and multi-focus stepping motor ensure reliable, silent autofocus performance in demanding conditions. This lens is best for professional portrait and wedding photographers who require uncompromising low-light capability and precise rendering on full-frame Z-mount bodies.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
- Below average macro (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 50 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
| Coating | ARNEO and Nano Crystal |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 kg / 2.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 450 |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S 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/16 | 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) | 1089 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | STM | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | 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 50mm f/1.2 S 50mm | 86.9 | 36.6 | 40.2 | 33.9 | 95 | 40.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 53.4 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78.2 | 65.1 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.3 | 91.2 | 97.7 | 55 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 82.1 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.2 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 82.1 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.2 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.1 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.7 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.6 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.6 | 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 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
Price
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
