Compare lenses

Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR vs Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

The Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR if you want a wider view (from 18mm equivalent). Pick the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR if you want more reach (to 75mm equivalent) and a lighter lens (135 g against 205 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR	Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Maker	Nikon	Nikon
Focal length	12-28mm (zoom)	16-50mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	18-42mm on APS-C	24-75mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-5.6	f/3.5-6.3
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Nikon Z	Nikon Z
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.3×	3.1×more range
Weight	205 g	135 glighter
Cameras it fits	16 in this guide	16 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR: 12-28mm on APS-C, like 18-42mm.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR: 16-50mm on APS-C, like 24-75mm.

Aperture

Nikon Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR: f/3.5 wide open.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR: f/3.5 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.