Lens Reviews / Nikon Lenses i Not yet tested

50mm	$1,997 average price

Updates:
01/15/2021: Gallery Images added
11/11/2021: Hands-on Review added, Gallery updated

Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Hands-on Review

One of Nikon's best Z lenses yet

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 11/11/2021

If you want a fast standard prime lens for your Nikon Z camera, you have a few great options. Alongside the Nikon Z6 and Z7, which were the first Nikon Z cameras, Nikon released a trio of lenses, including the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S. It's a great prime lens at a reasonable price ($600). If you want the absolute fastest prime lens, the Nikkor Z 58mm F0.95 S Noct is for you. However, it's manual focus only and is $8,000.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/125s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What if you need something faster than F1.8 but don't want to be hamstrung by a manual focus lens or shell out $8,000? Then the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S is the perfect solution. It's $2,100, which is far from cheap but well out of the eye-watering territory of the Noct lens.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens (75mm equiv.), F3.2, 1/80s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon's Z 50mm F1.2 S lens delivers strong imaging performance. However, a good prime lens should do more than take nice images. If you want a versatile lens, autofocus needs to be fast and accurate. That's a tall order for an F1.2 lens. Does Nikon's new prime deliver? Is it the best standard prime in the Nikon Z system? Let's find out.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens (75mm equiv.), F1.2, 1/80s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S key features and specifications

• Fast standard prime lens for Nikon Z mount
• FX-format with 47-degree angle of view
• Aperture range is F1.2-16
• Minimum focus distance of 45cm (1.5')
• Maximum magnification is 0.15x
• Multi-focus AF system with two separate AF drive units
• 17 elements in 15 groups
• 3 aspherical elements and 2 extra-low dispersion elements
• Features ARNEO, Super Integrated, and Nano Crystal Coating
• 82mm filter thread
• OLED information display and assignable L.Fn buttons
• Programmable control ring
• Electromagnetic nine-bladed aperture diaphragm
• Dust and moisture-resistant design
• Dimensions (max diameter x length): 89.5 x 150mm (3.5 x 5.9")
• Weighs 1,090g (2.4 lb.)
• $2,100 USD

Lens design and handling: A large and heavy lens with good build quality

A good lens starts with a good design. The Nikon 50mm F1.2 S is certainly well-designed. However, it's surprisingly long and heavy for a 50mm prime lens. The lens is 150mm (5.9") long without its lens hood, which adds a fair bit of length. The tapered lens has a relatively large maximum diameter, 89.5mm (3.5"), and an 82mm filter thread. The lens also weighs 1,090g (2.4 lb.).

The Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 is a pretty large, long lens given its focal length.

For the sake of comparison, the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens ($2,300) is also pretty heavy. The RF 50mm F1.2L weighs 950g (2.09 lb.), so not much different than the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S. Canon's lens is much shorter, though, at 108mm (4.25"). The two portrait primes have almost the same maximum diameter. The Canon lens's diameter is 89.8mm (3.54"). The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens ($2,000) is even lighter, weighing 778g (1.7 lb.). The GM lens is the same length as Canon's RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens and is slightly narrower at 87mm (3.4").

One benefit of the longer lens barrel is that the Z 50mm F1.2 S lens features a very wide focus ring. In use, the focus ring feels good and allows for precise focus adjustments.

The Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S balances very nicely on a Nikon Z7 II (or Nikon Z6 II, since it's an identical body), and I imagine it'll balance even better on the upcoming Z9. I also used the lens with the compact Nikon Z fc, and it felt front heavy. The length of the lens has a nice benefit, though, because there's ample room on the weather-sealed lens barrel for a large focus ring, an OLED information display and a programmable control ring.

The focus ring is fantastic. It works very well and has an excellent feel with a good amount of resistance. It's quite easy to dial in a precise focus distance. The OLED information display is good as well. You can show focus distance on it, which is useful in place of the physical focus distance scales on Nikon's older SLR lenses.

The lens hood, while adding even more length to the lens, is well-designed. It's a rugged petal-shaped lens hood that rotates on and off the barrel with a satisfying click. It also has a locking button.

There isn't much else on the lens barrel. In addition to the focus ring, control ring and OLED, the lens includes a focus switch (just A and M; no focus limiter) and a single assignable L-Fn button.

I like the overall design of the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S lens. It looks good, feels great and is built well. It's a robust, pro-grade lens that should hold up well for a long time. I wish it was a bit shorter and weighed less, but as we'll see in the next section, the lens packs some serious glass and delivers strong optical performance. The weight is being put to good use.

Image quality and optical performance: Excellent sharpness and smooth bokeh

The Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S is relatively large and heavy because it includes some large glass elements. The lens has 17 elements across 15 groups. In terms of special optics, the prime lens has three aspherical elements and a pair of extra-low dispersion elements. The lens also includes three specialized Nikon coatings, Nano Crystal, Super Integrated and ARNEO. These coatings help suppress internal reflections, flare and help the lens deliver good contrast and color performance.

Nikon Z fc with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens (75mm equiv.), F1.2, 1/80s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F8, 0.5s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each test scene and aperture in the Gallery.

Sharpness

There's no sense beating around the bush, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S is an excellent performer.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/8000s, ISO 50. Sharpness test shot - Full scene. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens delivers great resolution even when shooting wide open. Looking at the center of the frame at F1.2, there's good resolving performance. Moving toward the extreme corner of the frame, performance remains good at F1.2.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/8000s, ISO 50. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/8000s, ISO 50. Sharpness test shot - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

By stopping down to F1.4 – an aperture that still delivers excellent bokeh, by the way – there is an increase in sharpness. The image has a bit more punch and contrast across the frame, and there's slightly more definition around the edges. Corner performance is also better. You lose very little by way of light-gathering capabilities but gain improved image quality. That said, it's not a huge improvement, as the lens performs very well even at F1.2.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.4, 1/6400s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.4, 1/6400s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

By stopping down further to F1.8, there's another increase in sharpness and contrast. Corner performance improves as well.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 1/4000s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 1/4000s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

From F2 through F4, performance is very consistent across the board. The lens is slightly sharper at these apertures than the faster ones, although the difference is negligible unless you are zoomed way in. Beyond F4, diffraction appears, and you start to lose a bit of detail. However, if you need depth of field, such as for landscapes, image quality remains good through F8. At F11 and F16, the image is noticeably softer.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F2.8, 1/1600s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F4, 1/800s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F5.6, 1/400s, ISO 64. Sharpness test shot - 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S lens resolves excellent detail at F1.2. As expected, sharpness improves in the center and corners when stopping down to F1.4-F2, but the lens performs well wide open. If you need optimal sharpness, F2-F4 is a good place to be. If you require more depth of field, F5.6 and F8 are okay, although they are slightly softer. Vignette is generally easy to correct and is most noticeable at F1.2 and F1.4. It can be a pleasing effect in certain situations, but it's easy to address during post-processing if you don't like it.

Distortion

There's not much to say here because the lens doesn't produce much distortion. This is typical for a standard prime lens, but it's still worth noting that, as expected, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S produces minimal distortion.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F8, 1.3s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Chromatic aberrations and flare resistance

The Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S lens performs well here, too. You can see slight longitudinal chromatic aberration (LoCA) in certain situations when shooting wide open, but it's barely noticeable. In the 100% crop below, you can see very slight magenta and green fringing in front of and behind the focal plane, respectively. For a fast prime lens, the performance is superb.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/60s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/60s, ISO 64. 100% crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens has a minor issue with comatic aberration. With an F1.2 aperture, the lens works well for night photography despite having a longer focal length than traditional 'night sky' lenses. However, the lens doesn't render points of light as perfect circles, at least not when shooting wide open, and especially as you work your way toward the edge of the full-frame image area. Stopping down to F1.4, F1.8 and beyond helps, but then you're trading the low-light gathering capabilities you really need at a 50mm focal length. Most of the time, I settled on F1.6 and F1.8 since the Z7 II I used delivers very good low-light performance.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 6s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 6s, ISO 3200. 100% crop. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 6s, ISO 3200. 100% crop from the original JPEG image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Bokeh

The 50mm F1.2 S produces fantastic bokeh. The nine-bladed aperture is circular at its fastest aperture settings, and the bokeh is soft and pleasing. It's quite difficult to balance having soft bokeh while maintaining excellent resolution, but the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S pulls it off.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/100s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

As you stop down the lens, bokeh remains very good. Bokeh remains rounded without noticeable edges, too, which is very nice. From F1.2-F2.8, bokeh is very soft and pleasing.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 1/40s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F2.8, 1/15s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F4, 1/8s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The transition from out-of-focus to in-focus and back to out-of-focus is natural and soft. There aren't any harsh edges of aberrations with bokeh here. The Nikon 50mm F1.8 S delivers great bokeh, too, but if you want the best bokeh in the Z system this side of the prohibitively expensive Noct lens, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S is your best bet.

Summary

Excellent. That's how I'd describe the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S lens's optical performance. The lens is very sharp and exhibits excellent control over aberrations. I wish that comatic aberration was handled a bit better, but other than that, there's very little to complain about. There's some vignette when shooting wide open, but that can add a nice effect in certain situations. If you don't want the vignette, it's easy to correct. Nikon has engineered a nearly perfect 50mm F1.2 prime lens.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 6s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the field

Autofocus

With a multi-focus system, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S promises fast and accurate autofocus. In real-world shooting, the autofocus system is accurate, although it's not incredibly fast. The motors have to move large glass with precision. The precision aspect is there, but it comes at the cost of speed relative to the 50mm F1.8 S. It's been a while since I've used Nikon's first 50mm prime for the Z system, but if my memory serves, it's snappier to focus than the 50mm F1.2.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/500s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The Z 50mm F1.2 S lens is also not very quiet. It's not loud, but you can hear the autofocus motors working when the lens is acquiring focus. It is fine when shooting stills but could prove to be an issue for video work. The lens's manual focus is nice and should work well for video, however.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.3, 1/160s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Close-focusing performance is pretty good. The lens can focus to 45cm (1.5'), which results in maximum magnification of 0.15x. It's far from a macro lens, but it's well suited to portrait situations and can produce nice close-up images of still-life subjects.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/5000s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, the 50mm F1.2 S lens has good autofocus performance. The lens is pretty quick to focus considering the glass that's inside. It's not the fastest, but it's plenty fast.

Compared against the competition

I'm not too concerned with the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM or Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens here. If you're looking for a 50mm F1.2 lens, you've probably already committed to a system. If you haven't, I'll just say that having used all three lenses, they're all outstanding. I'm more concerned with the Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 S lens in this review.

The Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 S has a lot going for it relative to the Z 50mm F1.2 S. It's significantly cheaper, for starters, costing just under $600. You pay a significant premium to go from F1.8 to F1.2. Both lenses are in the S-line, meaning they feature Nikon's best and most advanced optical technologies.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.4, 6s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Considering its design, the Z 50mm F1.8 S is much smaller and lighter. It is 86.5mm (3.4") long and has a maximum diameter of 76mm (2.99"). The Z 50mm F1.8 S weighs only 415g (14.6 oz.). If you prefer a compact prime lens, the 50mm F1.8 S lens makes a lot of sense. The larger size of the 50mm F1.2 S has some usability benefits. The lens includes an OLED information panel and has a dedicated programmable control ring. The 50mm F1.2 S lens also has a better focus ring in terms of size and feel.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/20s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Optically, the 50mm F1.2 S lens is excellent. It's better than the 50mm F1.8 S. However, the 50mm F1.8 S is still a very sharp lens with strong performance.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F5.6, 0.5s, ISO 64. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

So which lens is better? In a vacuum, the 50mm F1.2 S is better thanks to its superior sharpness and fantastic bokeh. It's an excellent lens. However, the F1.8 prime is no slouch and has some advantages in terms of size, weight and price. It all comes down to how much you value the F1.2 aperture.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F2.8, 1/125s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S Hands-on Review Summary

An excellent prime lens with very good image quality and bokeh

What I like most:

• Great build quality
• Excellent sharpness
• Minimal aberrations
• Very good bokeh
• Reliable autofocus

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 6s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Quite large and heavy
• Pretty expensive, although in line with the competition
• The autofocus system is audible

The Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S lens is one of Nikon's best. It's an excellent 50mm prime lens that delivers strong image quality. The lens is sharp, even at F1.2, and exhibits very good control over most aberrations, including chromatic aberrations.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.8, 6s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Autofocus performance is good, as well, and well up to the task of portraiture and events. The lens is a bit large and heavy for my tastes, although it's hard to argue with the results. Even though the lens is quite large for a 50mm prime, its build quality and overall handling are impressive. It's a robust, well-built lens. Between its performance and design, the lens is well-suited for demanding workflows.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F8, 1.6s, ISO 64. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

While the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S is also a great option in the Nikon Z system, especially given its smaller size and much less expensive price point, the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S is an excellent alternative for photographers who demand better bokeh and improved low-light performance. They're both great lenses, but there's no question that the Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S is better.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S Nikkor lens, F1.2, 1/250s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

• • •

 

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Product Overview

(From Nikon lens literature) The new NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is Nikon’s fastest and most optically impressive AF prime lens yet, effortlessly balancing the combination of intense sharpness and dreamy bokeh. For pro-level creators that need powerful performance and versatility, the 50mm f/1.2 delivers a standard focal length with unrivaled sharpness, speed, and life-like clarity. With a bright f/1.2 aperture and premium S-Line engineering, the NIKKOR Z 50mm lens is the definitive and versatile prime for a range of photography styles including portraiture, street photography, landscapes, nightscapes and more.

The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens effortlessly achieves a soft and enchanting bokeh, with a circular background blur that is smooth and gradual when focusing for a natural “fall-off”. The bright f/1.2 aperture affords a dramatically shallow depth of field with beautiful subject isolation for stunning portraiture, while it also offers exceptional low-light performance. Maximizing the capabilities of Z series’ technology, the 50mm f/1.2 lens adopts stepping motors (STM) as well as a multi-focusing system4, enabling multiple lens elements to focus simultaneously for fast and precise autofocusing, even when shooting close-up or wide open. Furthermore, the lens’ ability to maintain stable exposure in changing lighting conditions, combined with its quiet operation and minimal focus breathing, establishes the lens as an appealing tool for video creators.

The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens tells a story of balance in design and functionality, seamlessly harmonizing intense resolution and velvety bokeh. The symmetrical optical design prevents light from being bent or distorted as it passes through the lens, meaning the purest, sharpest image reaches the camera sensor without any added distortion or aberration for true edge-to-edge sharpness. This innovative lens design also includes three aspherical elements to help virtually eliminate distortion, for superior resolution, point light reproduction and superb three-dimensional clarity. Designed for pro-level reliability, the NIKKOR Z 50mm is a superbly balanced lens constructed with robust weather sealing, a customizable control ring and shortcut button, as well as an EL Display panel to enhance workflow. Meanwhile, the lens is engineered with Nikon’s Nano Crystal and ARNEO Coating to minimize flare, ghosting and coma, allowing Z series users to confidently shoot in a variety of lighting scenarios, including harsh backlighting, to capture any scene with incredible sharpness and clarity.

Pricing and Availability

The the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens will be available in December 2020 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,099.95*.

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