Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR vs Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF

Both are Nikon Z lenses for APS-C. Here is what actually differs.

Nikon · 2025

Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

f/2.8330 g

Check price Full specs

Laowa

8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF

f/3.5

Full specs

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

You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
You need more reach: 50mm vs 16mm at the long end
You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF does not
You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.2 m
You want bigger close-ups: 0.24× vs 0.13× maximum magnification
Our notes say it suits: Events on DX, travel, video on Z DX bodies

Pick the Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF if

You want a wider view: 8mm vs 16mm at the wide end

Spec differences

14 differences

Specifications that differ between the Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR and the Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF
	Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR	Laowa 8-16mm f/3.5-5 Zoom CF
Brand	Nikon	Laowa
Type	Zoom	Wide Zoom
Focal length	16-50mm	8-16mm
Max aperture	f/2.8 ⅔ stop faster	f/3.5
Weight	330 g	not listed
Length	88 mm	not listed
Diameter	74.5 mm	not listed
Filter thread	67 mm	86 mm
Min focus distance	0.15 m closer	0.2 m
Max magnification	0.24× larger	0.13×
Aperture blades	not listed	5
Optical design	12 elements / 11 groups	16 elements / 12 groups
Image stabilization	Yes stabilized	No
Released	2025	not listed

2 identical specs hidden: mount, format. Show all

Mount: Nikon Z both
Format: APS-C both

Our notes

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.