DxOMark Published Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens Review: 44 Points

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DxOMark completed their Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens test results: Tested on the 45.7MP Nikon Z7, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens achieves an outstanding overall score of 44 points, with a combination of 37 P-Mpix Sharpness, 1.9 TStop Transmission, 0.2% Distortion, -1.6 EV Vignetting and 2μm Chr.aberration.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens Key Features

  • Z-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • Two ED and Two Aspherical Elements
  • Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
  • Stepping Motor AF System
  • Programmable Control Ring
  • Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

The Nikon’s overall score of 44 places it ahead of such lenses as the AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G on the Nikon D800E, which is the best-performing Nikon DSLR body in terms of resolving power in our database (at least till we add the 45.7MP D850). And the new Nikkor is also comfortably above the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 when mounted on a 50MP Canon EOS 5DS R. The new lens has more in common in terms of optical quality with much more expensive models from Zeiss, Sony, and Sigma. Sharpness is extremely high on the new Nikkor Z 50mm, and that may be important to you when you want to capture maximum detail with the Nikon Z 7.

Conclusion from DxOMark:

The new wider Z-mount with its shorter register means that there’s a lot more flexibility for the optical engineers when designing lenses. Although the benefits derived from this are usually more applicable to wide-angle designs, there has been a noticeable improvement in terms of optical quality over the Nikkor’s F-mount predecessor. Whether that’s due to the more complex optical design or the greater freedom enabled by the mount—or both—is best known to Nikon. Certainly the new lens is more expensive than the F-mount version, but it’s all relative: after all, it is exceptionally sharp and a very good all-round performer. Even wide-open, it comes close to some of the best and most expensive lenses currently available, so in our opinion, the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S offers an exceptionally good balance between price and prowess.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens: $596.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama

Nikon Z7 body: $3,396.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Read the full review at DxOMark.