Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Announced September 16, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S is a premium prime that delivers exceptional sharpness and smooth bokeh for portraiture; that said, its massive size, heavy weight, and high price point make it a specialized tool rather than a casual walk-around lens.
Weighted from 27 reviewer scores
Pros
- Outstanding image quality and sharpness even at f/1.2
- Beautiful, soft bokeh rendering for subject isolation
- Robust weather-sealed build quality with minimal distortion
- Reliable autofocus performance and low-light capability
- Versatile controls including a function button and OLED display
Cons
- Significant physical size and heavy weight
- High retail price
- Heavy vignetting and chromatic aberrations at wide apertures
- Focusing speed and noise issues in certain conditions
- Lack of fluorine coating and optical image stabilization
- Launch price $2,099.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 50mm f/1.2
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 45 cm (0.15x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 1090g (2 lb 6.4 oz) · 89.5 x 150 mm (3.52 x 5.91 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 27 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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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.
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Optically it may not be better than Nikon’s very good Z 50mm f1.8 S which can be had for a quarter of the price, but if you need the one stop brighter focal ratio the Nikon Z 50mm f1.2 S comes Highly Recommended!
- OpticalLimits 7.5/10
The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S delivers where it counts the most. If your main subject is positioned somewhere near the center, it'll produce sharp results straight at f/1.2 combined with a very smooth bokeh.
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The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S is an excellent lens in almost every way. It’s sharp, yet also has beautiful bokeh.
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This is anything but a “nifty-fifty”. It takes true intention to buy it and use it, so I don’t think it is the lens for everyone.
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Whatever the particularities, the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S is still a very expensive piece of kit, but for the near perfection and sheer usefulness that it offers, it does have to come highly recommended.
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[I]s quite simpe: It’s a nearly perfect lens, but it’s very big, heavy, and expensive.
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In my opinion, this lens would be perfect if it handled flare better when shooting into the sun and were slightly more compact and lightweight. Otherwise, it’s a fantastic lens.
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That doesn't mean this is a bad lens, nor that you should avoid it. But I do think this is one of those lenses where you should "know if you need it." I can see indoor music small venue photographers gushing over this lens, for instance.
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The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S is an amazing standard lens of the highest quality for the Nikon Z system.
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If you’re a professional photographer who typically shoots subjects which would benefit from a very wide aperture 50mm lens, it’s a fantastic option to have.
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This is a fantastic lens, and I would expect nothing less for a lens of this caliber from Nikon, especially when it's their first 50mm f/1.2, and they expect to have an 85mm f/1.2 at another point.
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There are two reasons you might want a Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S - faster shutter speeds, and a tighter depth of field.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S gathers more light than most lenses, netting shots with exceptionally shallow depth of field.
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I love how this lens renders; this is a home run for Nikon, no question.
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Nikon 50 / 1.8Z is an excellent fast prime for full frame mirrorless cameras. One of the sharpest autofocus fifty dollars.
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The Nikon 50mm f/1.2 S lens is a winner for me and I will be using it at weddings as well as portrait sessions.
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For a lens that’s neither a zoom nor a telephoto, this is a rather big and heavy lens. But it’s well-balanced and comfortable to shoot with.
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This lens is spectacular. It's near perfection.
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This is an optically flawless, albeit large and expensive, lens.
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I can tell you this is probably my favorite 50mm f/1.2 autofocus lens on the market currently.
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As primes go and as 50mls go, the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens I would say is also one of those lenses. It's just got that extra little something about it which makes it so obvious that you're shooting with something very, very different as opposed to a standard 50mm lens.
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Compared to the Nikkor Z 58mm f0.95 S Noct, the Nikkor Z 50mm f1.2 is a much better buy.
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The Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S is a good choice for professional use if you want a shallow depth of field or the absolute fastest lens, but Nikon has just introduced another enticing option if you can live with an f/1.4 lens.
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Yes, it’s large and heavy. But if you’re looking for the best possible 50mm lens for the Nikon Z system, this is it.
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[I]f you are wanting large apertures and quality to the extreme, this is the 50 for you.
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I am in love with this Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S. It it exceeded my expectations and more, and I would definitely buy it over and over again.
