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Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — S-Line · f/1.2 · Premium glass
Nikon

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

S-Line · f/1.2 · Premium glass

95
/ 100
From $2,099
VS
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins by 7
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Prime/Zoom

88
/ 100
From $1,099
Specdex verdict

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lands at 95 and Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 88. That puts Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S if…

  • Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
  • Internal focus + silent STM
  • Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open

Pick Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S if…

  • Fast aperture
  • Quiet autofocus
  • Weather-sealed (most)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on sharpness (98 vs 88).

Build

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the build sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on build (96 vs 88).

Autofocus

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on af (95 vs 86).

Value for money

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S more score per dollar ($1,099 vs $2,099).

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S 95
vs
88 Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Score breakdown

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
95
sharpness 98
af 95
build 96
bokeh 96
value 80
Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
88
sharpness 88
af 86
build 88
bokeh 0
value 85

Specs side-by-side

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S versus Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Mount
Nikon Z
Focal length
50 mm
Aperture
f/1.2 to f/16
Construction
17 elements / 15 groups
Min focus
0.45 m
Filter
82 mm
Weight
1090 g

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Pros
  • +Best 50mm f/1.2 AF lens we've tested
  • +Internal focus + silent STM
  • +Edge-to-edge sharpness wide open
Cons
  • Heavy at 1090g
  • Pricey
  • Massive front element (filter 82mm)

Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • Mount-specific
  • Weight varies
  • Price scales with quality

FAQ: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Which is better, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S worth the price? +

At $2,099, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sharpness.

Is Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S worth the price? +

At $1,099, Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on sharpness (98 vs 88). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for build, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on build (96 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.