16–50 Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR
The Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR is a zoom lens for Nikon Z (APS-C) that covers 16-50 mm at f/3.5-6.3 and weighs 135 g. Lightest (135 g) and dimmest (f/3.5) of the 3 APS-C Nikon Z zoom lenses in its focal range. Among them, it suits you if you carry it all day or travel light. If you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background, or you want more reach at the long end, every other one that does better on brightness, or reach gives up weight.
- f/3.5-6.3widest aperture
- 135 gweight
- 16bodies it fits
Where it sits
3 lensesAPS-C Nikon Z zoom lenses in its focal range that state each value, this one included. Each tick is one; the thick one is this one.
- Weight3 state it135 g
135 g, Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR540 g, Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Filter thread3 state it46 mm
46 mm, Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR67 mm, Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Bodies it fits
16 bodies- Fits
APS-C bodies
- Nikon Z30
- Nikon Z50
- Nikon Z50II
- Nikon Zfc
- Crops
Full frame bodies
It mounts, but covers only a APS-C frame: the middle of their Full frame sensor.
- Nikon Z5
- Nikon Z5II
- Nikon Z5IIC
- Nikon Z6
- Nikon Z6II
- Nikon Z6III
- Nikon Z7
- Nikon Z7II
- Nikon Z8
- Nikon Z9
- Nikon ZR
- Nikon Zf
Specifications
Sources
- Wikidata, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)
- Nikon product specifications, checked Oct 6, 2026
Worked out by code, not stated by a source
- Read from the lens name: each maker marks the sensor size a lens covers (Sony FE/E, Canon RF/RF-S, Nikon DX, Tamron Di III/Di III-A, Sigma DG/DC); every Fujifilm X lens is APS-C and every Micro Four Thirds lens is Four Thirds.
- Prime or zoom, read from the focal length in the lens name.
Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages
† The makers' own tables, row by row, with labels in our plain words (translated where the maker's page isn't in English); each row's numbers are checked against the page it links.
Full specifications†
Show all 11 rows
| Full specifications | Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR2 |
|---|---|
| Focal length range | 16-50 mm |
| Maximum aperture range | f/3.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture range | f/22-40 |
| Lens element configuration | 9 elements in 7 groups (1 ED glass, 4 aspherical lens elements) |
| Angle of view range | 83° - 31°30' (DX image area) |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m/0.66 ft (at 24 mm from focal plane) |
| Maximum reproduction ratio | 0.2x |
| Diaphragm blade count | 7 (rounded diaphragm opening) |
| Filter attachment size | 46 mm (P = 0.75 mm) |
| Lens dimensions | Approximately 70 mm/2.8 in. maximum diameter x 32 mm/1.3 in. (distance from camera lens mount flange) |
| Lens weight | Approximately 135 g/4.8 oz |
How the pick works
- Widest aperture3
Lower wins once they are 0.3 apart.
- Weight2
Lower wins from a 12% gap.
- Focal length (longest)2
Higher wins from a 15% gap.
- Focal length (widest)2
Lower wins once they are 2 mm apart.
- Optical stabilization1
Having it wins.
- Closest focus, wide end1
Lower wins from a 15% gap. Compared only between lenses of the same focal length (widest).
- Filter thread0.5
Lower wins once they are 5 mm apart.
- Lead for a pick1
Our pick or our take adds up the importance of each real difference, with these importances and thresholds: a gap smaller than its row's threshold is too close to call and counts as the same. They are our editorial choice, not a measurement, the same on every page, and they never read prices, sales or who sells it.
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