Compare lenses

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II and the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II if you want coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too. Pick the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR if you want optical stabilisation, which helps most on bodies without it; a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter; and a lighter lens (330 g against 675 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II and the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II	Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR
Maker	Nikon	Nikon
Focal length	24-70mm (zoom)	16-50mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	24-70mm	24-75mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Nikon Z	Nikon Z
Stabilised	no	yesstabilised
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.9×	3.1×
Weight	675 g	330 glighter
Cameras it fits	16 in this guide	16 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: 24-70mm.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR: 16-50mm on APS-C, like 24-75mm.

Aperture

Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II: f/2.8 wide open.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR: f/2.8 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

16 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.