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Best Lenses for Nikon Z50 [2023 Review]

In: 
Published: 25/04/2023

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Although the Nikon Z50 is a compact and lightweight mirrorless camera ideal for shooting interior photos handheld, the APS-C sensor might not capture enough light. The best lenses for Nikon Z50 have wide apertures that allow enough light to enter for clear images even in low light conditions.

My Top Nikon Z50 Lenses Recommendations

As a professional photographer, you aim to obtain sharp images with minimal or no blurring, even when zooming. With the best lenses for Nikon Z50, you can achieve this goal even if you don't have additional camera equipment such as flashlights or tripods.

Best Overall
Brand:
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Best Wide Angle
Brand:
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
Best Prime
Brand:
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Lens Type:
Telephoto Zoom
Lens Type:
Wide Angle Zoom
Lens Type:
Prime
Image Stabilization:
Yes
Image Stabilization:
No
Image Stabilization:
No
4.8
4.9
4.8
Best Overall
Brand:
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8
Lens Type:
Telephoto Zoom
Image Stabilization:
Yes
4.8
Best Wide Angle
Brand:
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
Lens Type:
Wide Angle Zoom
Image Stabilization:
No
4.9
Best Prime
Brand:
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
Lens Type:
Prime
Image Stabilization:
No
4.8

Best Overall Lens for Nikon Z50: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8

Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8S

The Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is a versatile zoom lens for the Nikon Z50 that features a longer focal length of 200mm, making it ideal for capturing detailed photos of faraway subjects such as chimneys.

Usually, moving subjects in a residential property may prevent viewers from focusing on the main subject. The maximum wide aperture of f/2.8 allows you to use selective focus techniques to blur the distracting background.

Like the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8mm lens, the 70mm focal length is a standard size ideal for situations where you might need to shoot portraits as this focal length has minimal distortions.

This lens has an autofocus that can track a moving subject, allowing you to shift your attention to other things such as zoom and composition. Unlike the Nikon 50mm f/1.8, its 3.15 pounds increases the chances of muscle fatigue when shooting without a tripod.

Best Overall
Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8S
4.8
Pros:
  • The lens can be used in low-light situations or at sunset because of its comparatively big aperture of f/2.8
  • Because the lens has a fixed aperture, the light intensity does not change as you zoom in
  • Thanks to the fast and silent focusing technique, you can use the lens to shoot video shots
Cons:
  • The tripod foot is not compatible with Arca
  • Has distortions in opposition to Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4S that does not have any distortions
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Best Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon Z50: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 

Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 is a zoom lens that spans wide-angle and normal focal lengths. This lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing you to shoot action in burst and continuous modes using faster shutter speeds.

Unlike the Nikon 70-200mm lens, the 24mm minimum focal length provides you with a larger field of view, making it ideal for real estate exterior photography, where you might want to capture the property and the backyard in a single shot.

The autofocus motor ensures fast and silent focusing, allowing you to capture sharp images and record videos with audio-quality interferences. However, comparing the aperture with the 50mm f/1.8, this lens might not be ideal to use in extremely low light conditions, especially when using the 70mm focal length.

Best Wide Angle
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8
4.9
Pros:
  • The elements help reduce chromatic aberrations better than the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8.
  • The aperture makes it excel in subject isolation and depth of field control.
Cons:
  • Its weight is unsuitable for carrying in a camera case.
  • The zoom range is minimal compared to the Nikon 24-200mm f/4-6.3
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Best Nikon Z50 Lens for Portraits: Nikon 50mm f/1.8

NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8

If you want a lens with great performance in shooting close-up and portrait images, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens might be a good deal.

Although this lens lacks the zoom capability of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8, it features a maximum wide aperture of f/1.8. This makes it fast and ideal for shooting in low light and blurring the background.

Unlike the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, this lens has a fixed focal length which might limit your ability to capture faraway images as you have to get closer to the subject.

This might require you to carry several prime lenses of different focal lengths or a zoom lens if you are unsure of the subject distance of the real estate elements you photograph.

Best Prime
NIKON NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8
4.8
Pros:
  • The fixed focal length allows you to capture photos with a higher image quality
  • The lens comes with a Vari-angle LCD that is an excellent alternative for the viewfinder
Cons:
  • The lens doesn't come with a vibration reduction system, which increases the risks of image blurriness when photographing without a tripod
  • The lens manual focus does not have a physical alert when the scale gets to the end
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Features to Consider in the Best Lens for Nikon Z50

Nikon Z50 lenses have varying features, making them different in performance and application. Considering the Z50's limitations in poor lighting, the following tips can help you identify a lens that can boost its performance. The table below summarizes the crucial features to consider in Z50 lenses.

LensesWeight (pounds)Lens type Vibration Reduction?
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.83.15ZoomYes
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.81.98ZoomNo
Nikon 50mm f/1.80.34PrimeNo

Diaphragm Blades

Diaphragm blades, also known as aperture blades, are a series of blades that control the opening of the aperture. The blades bend as you resize the aperture, controlling the amount of light. These blades create smooth and round out-of-focus points in your images.

The out-of-focus points in your image are known as bokeh, the Japanese translation for blur. The higher the number of diaphragm blades, the more the roundness of the aperture, resulting in a better bokeh effect.

For instance, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens has nine diaphragm blades, resulting in photos with a pleasing background blur.

Maximum Reproduction Ratio

The lens's reproduction ratio helps you determine the right distance between the subject and the sensor, depending on how you want your image to appear. For instance, in macro lenses, the reproduction ratio is 1:1, which means that the image is the same size as the subject in true life.

The reproduction ratio also determines the details in the image. If you need a lens that can capture detailed images of tiny subjects, use the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 telephoto lens, thanks to the maximum reproduction ratio of 0.22x.

A black Nikon Z50 camera with a black camera lens placed on top of a black surface

Manual Focus Ring

Although most digital lenses feature the autofocus mode, they still have a manual focus ring for focusing in scenarios that are overwhelming to use the autofocus mode, such as in low contrast, low light, and backlighting. The manual focus is also ideal for shooting in static situations, such as macro photography, where you need accurate focus.

A lens such as the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 features a manual focus ring, giving you complete control over all your camera settings. For instance, capturing in low light conditions using the autofocus mode can make the camera take longer to locate the best focal point.

With the manual focus ring, you can save time by overriding the autofocus for more precise results. The manual focus might also be ideal when shooting camera-sensitive subjects that can be scared by the focus motor.

Focus Switch

The focus option is a switch normally placed near the focus ring that helps you manually switch the focus mode to either manual or automatic focus. A lens such as the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 comes with a focus switch, making it easier to switch between the focus mode. 

Related Questions

What Is the Iso Range of the Nikon Z50?

The Z50 comes with an ISO range of 100 to 51,200. Normally, the image sensor for the camera produces a very low noise when using the lowest ISO range of between 100 and 800. Beyond the 1600 ISO range, you might notice grainy images due to excessive signal amplification in the sensor.

Can You See Jupiter and Saturn Using a 200mm Lens?

You can use a 200mm telephoto lens to view Saturn and Jupiter. Although you might see the four bright moons in Jupiter, you might get blurry images due to the camera shake. Saturn's ring might not be visible with the 200mm focal length, and you might need a longer lens for a clear view.

Can You Use the Nikon Z50 as a Webcam?

Yes, Nikon provides the Webcam Utility feature that is USB supported by both macOS and Windows. The Webcam might not be a plug-and-play for Z50 as you need to download and install the Utility program to use it with your computer.

Final Thoughts

As a real estate photographer using a Z50, you might want to equip yourself with a versatile Z-mount lens to improve its performance. The best lenses for Nikon Z50 come with wide maximum apertures and versatile focal lengths that can capture wide-angle and closeup photos in varying lighting conditions.

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