NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
Launch MSRP
$500- Weight
- 420g
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Min focus
- 0.37m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 10E / 7G
- Released
- 2024
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 420g
- ⌀ × length
- 74.5 × 86.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀62mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.0 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.37m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:5.9)
Optical character
The 50mm f/1.4 is Nikon's budget fast normal for Z mount, priced below the 50mm f/1.8 S while offering a brighter aperture. It shares the body of the 35mm f/1.4: 420g, 86.5mm long, with a focus ring, a clickless control ring and dust- and drip-resistant sealing.
The ten-element design uses one aspherical element and no ED glass, so it is not built to beat the f/1.8 S on resolution. Instead it gives more light and a thinner plane of focus, with slightly vintage rendering, a 0.37m close focus and stepping-motor AF that is quiet enough for video.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found the centre a little soft at f/1.4, sharpening noticeably by f/2 and reaching its best from about f/2.8. Across the frame it is consistent once stopped down, but testers who compared it directly with the 50mm f/1.8 S found the S lens resolves more fine detail at every shared aperture.
Bokeh drew mixed comments: highlights are round in the centre, but backgrounds can show double contours and look nervous in busy scenes. Longitudinal CA is visible wide open and vignetting is strong. AF is accurate and quick enough for portraits and events, and the price is the main argument in its favour.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the price, size and the extra stop for low light, and many buy it for the Zf and Z6III as an inexpensive portrait and everyday lens. The 'retro' rendering wide open has its fans.
Others report fringing on backlit edges, a busy background in foliage, and say they returned it for the 50mm f/1.8 S after side-by-side tests. The lack of an AF/MF switch is a minor gripe.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +f/1.4 for less than the 50mm f/1.8 S
- +Good results from f/2 onward
- +Dust- and drip-resistant
- +Quiet STM AF, low focus breathing
- +Control ring plus focus ring
Weaknesses
- −Soft centre at f/1.4
- −Busy bokeh with double contours
- −Less detail than the 50mm f/1.8 S
- −Strong vignetting wide open
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.0
- Flare Resistance
- 7.7
- Build / Sealing
- 7.7
- Value / Size
- 8.5
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 10 elements in 7 groups |
| Special elements | 1x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) |
| Minimum focus | 0.37m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 420g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 74.5 × 86.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀62mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $500 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_50mmf14/
- newsshooter.com/2024/09/09/nikon-nikkor-z-50mm-f-1-4/
- petapixel.com/2024/09/09/nikon-debuts-cheaper-and-faster-nikkor-z-50mm-f-
- photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_50mm_f1_4_review
- cameralabs.com/nikon-z-50mm-f1-4-review/4/
- techradar.com/cameras/camera-lenses/nikon-z-50mm-f-1-4-review-portraiture
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs 50mm F1.05 (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs AF 50mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
- 7Artisans
50mm F1.05 (Nikon Z)
50mmF1.05- WT
- 606g
- FLT
- ⌀58mm
- MFD
- 0.57m
- MSRP
- $399
MFRING·DC - 7Artisans
AF 50mm F1.8 (Nikon Z)
50mmF1.8- WT
- 450g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $228
AFRING·DC - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
50mmF1.2- WT
- 1,090g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.45m
- MSRP
- $2,100
AFWR
