Nikon adds a Fast Kit Zoom for APS-C Users

Nikon has announced the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, which is Nikon’s first Z-mount APS-C (DX) zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture.

The Nikkor 16-50mm DX lens features a nine-blade aperture, optical image stabilization, and a customizable control ring. It also offers a minimum focus distance of 0.15m. Physically, the lens weighs 330g, has a 67mm front filter thread, and is 75mm in diameter with a lens length of 88mm, which makes this a decently lightweight and small fast normal zoom. The lens also gives a decent trick to users on the Z50 II, allowing it to expand the zoom range from 16-100 while maintaining a constant F2.8 aperture. This is more of an electronic zoom range than an optical one, so don’t come at me in the forums.

The Nikkor lens is available in late October 2025 for $899.95. This release is all the more important, considering that, unlike the Canon RF-S mount, Nikon hasn’t allowed Sigma or Tamron to create DX lenses on its Z mount. Seems weird that Canon, for once, is ahead of the mount licensing game, but here we are.

Hopefully, this means that Canon isn’t too far away from its own fast kit zoom for RF-S users.

Key Features

• APS-C | f/2.8 to f/22
• 24-75mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• STM Autofocus | 5.9 to 9.8″ Close Focus
• 4.5-Stop Vibration Reduction I.S.
• f/2.8 Aperture Over Entire Zoom Range
• 9-Blade Iris | Distinct Circular Bokeh
• Compact 3.5″-Long Design
• User-Assignable Control Ring
• 67mm Front Filter Thread

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

• APS-C | f/2.8 to f/22
• 24-75mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• STM Autofocus | 5.9 to 9.8" Close Focus
• 4.5-Stop Vibration Reduction I.S.
• f/2.8 Aperture Over Entire Zoom Range
• 9-Blade Iris | Distinct Circular Bokeh
• Compact 3.5"-Long Design
• User-Assignable Control Ring
• 67mm Front Filter Thread

B&H

Lens Construction and MTF

The Nikkor Z DX 16-60mm F2.8 VR features 12 elements in 11 groups and includes one ED and two aspherical elements. It is driven using a single STM motor. The lens construction is internal focusing and external zooming, which means the lens will increase and decrease in size when zooming but not while focusing.

The MTF looks decent for a more economical fast kit zoom. The resolution tails away into the corners for its widest focal length, and seems to have more astigmatism than what I’d like to see, but it’s a sub $900 zoom, so there’s going to be some compromises. On the telephoto end, it looks really good. so if you shoot a lot at 50mm, this lens would be an excellent performer

Press Release

NIKON EXPANDS DX LENS LINEUP WITH TWO NEW NIKKOR LENSES: THE NIKKOR Z DX 16-50MM F/2.8 VR AND THE NIKKOR Z DX MC 35MM F/1.7

MELVILLE, NY (OCTOBER 16, 2025) — Today, Nikon Inc. announced the release of two new APS-C/DX-format NIKKOR Z lenses, the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR standard zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture, and the NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 standard micro lens. Whether shooting portraits that pop, low-light street snaps, or extreme close-ups, both lenses grant immense versatility and extraordinary creative possibilities for Nikon DX-format mirrorless camera users.

A Brighter View: The NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

The new NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is a standard DX-format zoom lens that covers a focal length range that is equivalent to wide-angle to medium telephoto, with the benefit of a fast, constant maximum aperture of f/2.8. This focal range is similar to the popular 24-75mm full frame /FX-format equivalent, making it ideal for subjects of all kinds, including wide landscapes, intimate interiors and flattering portraits. With its large f/2.8 aperture, the lens excels in low light capture by allowing more light in and enabling creative shallow depth of field for emotive portraits with blurred backgrounds.

This lens is an excellent entry point to discovering the impressive optical performance of NIKKOR Z lenses. It delivers the large, natural bokeh characteristics of an f/2.8 maximum aperture, as well as high-resolution rendering of details when stopping down. The built-in lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) mechanism (5.0-stop compensation)1 reduces the effects of camera shake, even when slower shutter speeds are used in low-light conditions. For video and content creators, the lens also uses a stepping motor (STM) for exceptionally quiet autofocus and features an optical design that minimizes focus breathing.

Features of the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens

• The fast constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range allows for large, natural bokeh and reduces the effects of camera shake when shooting in low-light conditions.
• Coverage for the 16mm to 50mm wide-angle to mid-range of focal lengths supports a wide variety of scenes and subjects.
• A minimum focus distance of 5.9 in (0.15 m) at the wide-angle end and 9.8 in (0.25 m) at the long end allows users to get close to their subjects for dynamic shots.
• Equipped with a lens-shift vibration reduction (VR) mechanism with camera-shake compensation equivalent to a 5.0-stop (at the center) increase in shutter speed.
• Portable and lightweight, with a total length of approximately 3.4 in (8.8 cm) and weight of approximately 11.6 oz (330 g) enables easy hand-held shooting.
• Optimized for video recording with a design that suppresses focus breathing and incorporates a stepping motor (STM) for quiet autofocusing.
• Customizable Control Ring allows for direct control over focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO sensitivity.
• One ED glass and two aspherical lens elements effectively minimize various lens aberrations2.
• Nine-blade aperture produces circular, natural bokeh.
• When recording video using the Z50II, Hi-Res Zoom3 expands the zoom range to the equivalent of 16-100mm (6.25× zoom) while still maintaining a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 with no loss in resolution.• When recording video using the Z50II, Hi-Res Zoom3 expands the zoom range to the equivalent of 16-100mm (6.25× zoom) while still maintaining a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 with no loss in resolution.
• Designed with consideration of dust and drip resistance4.

Make the Everyday Extraordinary: NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7

The NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 is a fast, lightweight standard micro lens. It pulls double duty as a capable lens for macro photography, as well as an everyday fast prime lens. It is the first APS-C-size/DX-format NIKKOR Z lens to achieve a maximum reproduction ratio equivalent to life-size5, giving users the ability to get closer than ever to reveal intricate details. The very short minimum focus distance of 6.2 in (0.16 m) lets users explore the hidden world that exists in the ordinary. Familiar things like pets, flowers, insects, food, or textiles are all rendered in beautiful, sharp detail like never before.

With a fast f/1.7 aperture and a natural 35mm focal length similar to the field of view of the human eye6, the lens also excels as a fast, go-anywhere companion prime lens. From tabletop photos to portraits, or snapshots to low-light cityscapes, this lens gives users the ability to shoot in minimal light and blur the background to draw attention to the subject.

Features of the NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 Lens

• A maximum reproduction ratio of 0.67×, which is life-size equivalent in FX/35mm [135] format, enables the capture of small subjects at a larger size.
• The fast f/1.7 maximum aperture allows users to make the most of large bokeh and minimize noise in low-light conditions.
• Users can get extremely close to their subjects with an approximately 2.8 in (7 cm)7 working distance from the front of the lens, and a minimum focusing distance of only 6.2 in (0.16 m) to reveal stunning up-close details.
• Adoption of an aspherical ED glass element effectively minimizes chromatic aberration.
• An internal focusing (IF) system eliminates any change in the total length of the lens.
• Adoption of a stepping motor (STM) realizes quiet autofocusing.
• The customizable control ring allows for direct control over focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO sensitivity.
• Designed with consideration of dust- and drip-resistance4.

Price and Availability

The new Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens will be available in late October 2025 for a suggested retail price of $899.95*. The new Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 Lens will be available in late October 2025 for a suggested retail price of $449.95*.

1. Based on CIPA 2024 Standard. Yaw/pitch correction performance with the Nikon Z50II (telephoto end, NORMAL mode)

2. When using the Z50, camera firmware must be updated to the latest version.

3. Hi-Res Zoom is available when used with the Z50II, and [1920×1080; 30p], [1920×1080; 25p], or [1920×1080; 24p] is selected for [Frame size/frame rate] in the video recording menu. AF-area mode is fixed at [Wide-area AF (L)], and the focus point is not displayed. Additionally, [Electronic VR] in the video recording menu is set to [OFF].

4. Thorough dust- and drip-resistance is not guaranteed in all situations or under all conditions.

5. Equivalent in FX/35mm [135] format. Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.67×.

6. Angle of view equivalent to that of a 52.5 mm lens in FX/35mm [135] format.

7. Working distance: The distance from the end of the lens to the subject. Without the lens hood.

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Specifications

Gallery

Preorder

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

• APS-C | f/2.8 to f/22
• 24-75mm (Full-Frame Equivalent)
• STM Autofocus | 5.9 to 9.8" Close Focus
• 4.5-Stop Vibration Reduction I.S.
• f/2.8 Aperture Over Entire Zoom Range
• 9-Blade Iris | Distinct Circular Bokeh
• Compact 3.5"-Long Design
• User-Assignable Control Ring
• 67mm Front Filter Thread

B&H

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