Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens review with samples

Here's another first for this channel - one of Nikon's new Z-mount lenses for APS-C cameras. At the moment, the only APS-C Z-mount camera available is the Z50. If you fit this lens onto a full-frame Z-mount camera, it will force you to shoot in a lower resolution, cropped 'DX' mode. Let's see how it performs

Find it here (Amazon affiliate link):

Nikon Z50 camera + 16-50mm +50-250mm lens (Amazon affiliate link):

All sample pictures taken by me on a Nikon Z50 camera.

Equipment I use to make my videos (Amazon affiliate links):

Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[sloppyjoe]

Love your decision to cover Nikon gear now. Your channel and methodology is wonderful and now the information is increasingly relevant when you cover affordable lenses from more ecosystems. Keep up the wonderful work during these trying times

[aditya_gupta]

That sharpness and contrast is phenomenal.

[jmrosario]

Just got my Nikon Z50 today with 16-50 kit. I must say for a small pancake kit lens it is absolutely sharp. The sharpest kit lens I’ve ever tried. Well done Nikon!!! Nice review btw and informative..

[spangari]

From this test and everybody else’s tests in the YT, this little z50 is the best little compact still picture and video blogger camera so far...

[MrMartinek]

Surprisingly good performance from such small lens. It's shame that Nikon don't plan some faster standard zoom. I would really consider Z50 with something like 16-55mm f2.8-4.

[yanitsvetanov]

Since you have Nikon Z50 do a review of the camera as well, please! Thanks!

[dunnymonster]

Probably the sharpest kit lens I've ever seen.

[HR-wdcw]

This lens is surprisingly sharp for being a kit lens and being compact. In fact, I have contemplated getting this for my FF Z7 for when I want to street photography but remain rather discrete. (I can live with the 19MP images as I generally don't print street photography photos, and if I do, it's generally only 8x10 or smaller -- or i send it to a lab for professional enlargement anyway if needed).

[powerlurker]

probably the best kitlens ive ever seen

[animook]

You have no idea how grateful I am for your work, sir! You gave me the opportunity to compare lenses between brands while selecting my small travel kit. Thank you so much! Keep up, I will stay your loyal subscriber :)

[ej_tech]

I was expecting the distortion to be the same "disaster" as the Sony kit lens. That is surprisingly good for a pancake zoom.

[bhwrice]

I enjoy all your videos, but as a Nikon Z6 shooter this is a special treat! I look forward to seeing more on your Z7.

[InterMaus]

Well the heavy distortion seems to be the price for small size with these lenses on any system.

[beavertown]

Wow, haven't been here for ages, thought I was in a wrong channel that Chris is reviewing a Nikon lens!

[jrperezphotography]

Thank you I purchased the Z30 with the 16-50 and 50-250 kit lens from Nikon refurbished for a great price

[Jawad.]

This images out of this lens are looking extremely sharp...!

[chrishay]

Best lens review channel on YouTube. 👍👌

[petrolbokehlicious]

Chris, lovely work as always, eagerly waiting for your tests on the rest of the Z mount range of lenses, especially the 20, 35, and 85 primes.

[ej_tech]

I was so excited for your review of this lens...even if I don't own a Nikon body.

[Benderlaiv]

Wish the sony aps-c pancake zoom was this good.