Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR vs Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE

Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.

Nikon

Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

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Nikon

Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE

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Verdict at a glance

Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE is faster by 1 stop (f/2.0 vs f/2.8), letting in more light.
Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE is lighter by 160g.
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR goes wider (16mm vs 40mm).
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR reaches further (50mm vs 40mm).
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR is the newer design (2025 vs 2022).

Specification comparison
Spec	Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR	Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE
Brand	Nikon	Nikon
Mount	Nikon Z	Nikon Z
Type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length	16-50mm (wider)	40mm
Max aperture	f/2.8	f/2.0 (faster)
Released	2025	2022
Format	aps-c	full-frame
Groups	11	4
Elements	12	6
Weight g	330.0	170.0 (lighter)
Filter mm	67	52
Length mm	88.0	45.5
Stabilized	Yes	n/a
Diameter mm	74.5	71.5
Min focus m	0.15 (closer focusing)	0.29
Max magnification	0.238	0.172

Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

Nikon's DX zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture and VR, announced as Nikon's first f/2.8 zoom for the DX Z lineup, introduced in 2025. It weighs about 330g and focuses as close as 0.15m at 16mm.

Pros

Constant f/2.8
VR
Light at about 330g
Close focus of 0.15m

Cons

DX only
Short 50mm end
Heavier than the 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3

Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE

Special-edition version of the Z 40mm f/2 with retro styling matched to the Z fc, introduced in 2022. It is a small, light normal prime.

Pros

Compact
f/2 aperture
Retro styling
Light at about 170g

Cons

Relies on software distortion correction
No in-lens stabilization

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