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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 1
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II — Prime/Zoom
Sony

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Prime/Zoom

94
/ 100
From $2,298
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 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II at 94. That puts Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S ahead by 1 points — a narrow 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 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics
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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 94).

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 94).

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 93).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S 95
vs
94 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Score breakdown

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
95
sharpness 98
af 95
build 96
bokeh 96
value 80
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
94
sharpness 94
af 93
build 94
bokeh 0
value 84

Specs side-by-side

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S versus Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
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)

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

FAQ: Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S vs Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Which is better, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. 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 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II worth the price? +

At $2,298, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II 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 Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on sharpness (98 vs 94). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for build, Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S or Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II? +

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on build (96 vs 94). Compared on the build sub-score.