Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR vs Tamron 16-50mm F2.8 A
Every published spec side by side, with today's lowest prices for the market you've chosen.
Key differences
- Aperture blades: 9 on the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, against 7 on the 16-50mm F2.8 A.
- Max magnification: 0.24× on the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, against 0.22× on the 16-50mm F2.8 A.
- Optical stabilisation: Yes on the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, against No on the 16-50mm F2.8 A.
- Weight: 305 g on the 16-50mm F2.8 A, against 330 g on the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR.
NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR or 16-50mm F2.8 A: which should you buy?
Choose the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR for its aperture blades, max magnification and optical stabilisation.
Choose the 16-50mm F2.8 A for its weight.
On paper the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR wins more rows (3 to 1); if the 16-50mm F2.8 A's strengths are the ones you shoot with, and its price is lower where you buy, it can still be the better buy.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price today | $675 new $584.99 used | $529 new |
| Optics | ||
| Focal length | 16–50mm | 16–50mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 24–75mm equivalent | 24–75mm equivalent (26–80mm on Canon) |
| Maximum apertureLower f-number lets in more light. A zoom wins only when it is as bright at both ends. | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Made for | APS-C | APS-C |
| Elements / groups | 12 / 11 | 14 / 10 |
| Aperture blades | 9 (best) | 7 |
| Closest focus | 0.15 m | 0.15 m |
| Max magnification | 0.24× (best) | 0.22× |
| Focus & handling | ||
| Autofocus | Yes (STM) | Yes (VXD) |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes (best) | No |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Internal zoom | No | No |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Teleconverter compatible | No | No |
| Size & weight | ||
| Weight | 330 g | 305 g (best) |
| Diameter × length | 74.5 × 88 mm | 64.4 × 79.6 mm |
| Filter thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
Green marks the better figure where “better” is unambiguous. A dash means the maker doesn't publish it or we haven't verified it yet.