Best Lenses for Nikon Z30, Z50 and Z fc Cameras

In October 2019, Nikon introduced the Nikon Z50 as its first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with a Z-mount and a DX (aka APS-C) sensor. The retro style Nikon Z fc followed in June 2021, and the vlogging style Z30 in June 2022.

This page provides an overview of the so far somewhat limited catalog of Z-mount DX lenses. These are mostly autofocus lenses, but selected manual focus lenses may also be included. Manual focus lenses are marked by an asterisk (*), purely mechanical lenses with no digital coupling to the camera by a double asterisk (**). Z-mount lenses with a larger FX image circle can also be used on these cameras.

For every lens, the following major characteristics are given:

  • Focal length.
  • Maximum aperture. It has a strong influence on the lighting conditions under which the lens can be used, and how shallow the depth of field can be. Fast lenses also tend to be much bigger, heavier, and more expensive. Green labels indicate fast lenses (> f/2), red labels indicate slow lenses (< f/4).
  • Filter size. It serves as a representative of the length, diameter and weight of the lens. Green labels indicate compact lenses (filter size < 60 mm), red labels indicate big lenses (> 70 mm).
  • Minimum focus distance (MFD). It has a major influence on the magnification that can be achieved, as well as the depth of field.
  • Another important point is of course the price, but it is different in every market and currency. Instead, plenty of links to independent reviews are provided to help you find the best lens for your needs.

1 Prime lenses

Lenses with a fixed focal length.

1.1 Fisheye lenses

Ultra wide angle lenses with purposeful strong distortions.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews

1.2 Wide angle lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Viltrox AF 13 mm 1.4 Z DX 67 mm 0.22 m
Sirui Sniper 16 mm 1.2 AF 58 mm 0.30 m
Sigma Contem­porary 16 mm 1.4 DC DN 67 mm 0.25 m
Sirui Sniper 23 mm 1.2 AF 58 mm 0.30 m
Viltrox AF 23 mm 1.4 Z DX 52 mm 0.30 m
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 24 mm 1.7 46 mm 0.18 m TP

1.3 Standard lenses

Lenses with a focal length similar to the image sensor diagonal of 28 mm. Images created with these lenses are generally perceived as looking natural.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Viltrox AF 27 mm 1.2 Z DX Pro 67 mm 0.28 m
Nikon Nikkor Z 28 mm 2.8 SE 52 mm 0.19 m LT
Sigma Contem­porary 30 mm 1.4 DC DN 52 mm 0.30 m
Sirui Sniper 33 mm 1.2 AF 58 mm 0.40 m
Viltrox AF 33 mm 1.4 Z DX 52 mm 0.40m
Yongnuo YN 33 mm 1.4 Z DA DSM Pro 58 mm 0.40m

1.4 Telephoto lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Yongnuo YN 50 mm 1.8 Z DA DSM 49 mm 0.45 m
Sirui Sniper 56 mm 1.2 AF 58 mm 0.60 m
Sigma Contem­porary 56 mm 1.4 DC DN 55 mm 0.50 m
Viltrox AF 56 mm 1.4 Z DX 52 mm 0.60 m
Viltrox AF 56 mm 1.7 Z DX 52 mm 0.55 m
TTArtisan AF 56 mm 1.8 52 mm 0.50 m  
Sirui Sniper 75 mm 1.2 AF 67 mm 0.70 m
Viltrox AF 75 mm 1.2 Z DX Pro 77 mm 0.88 m

1.5 Macro lenses

Lenses with a high magnification.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews

2 Zoom lenses

Lenses with a variable focal length.

2.1 Wide angle zoom lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z DX PZ 12-28 mm 3.5-5.6 PZ VR 67 mm 0.19 m

2.2 Standard zoom lenses

Zoom range from moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50 mm 3.5-6.3 VR

2.3 Superzoom lenses

Like standard zooms, but with an approximately 10x zoom range.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 18-140 mm 3.5-6.3 VR 62 mm

2.4 Telephoto zoom lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 50-250 mm 4.5-6.3 VR

3 Teleconverters

Teleconverters extend the focal length of matching telephoto lenses by a certain factor.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews

References

The linked reviews are by Amateur Photographer (AP), CameraLabs (CL), DPReview (DP), LensTip (LT), OpticalLimits (OL), The Phoblographer (TP), and others. LensTip and OpticalLimits focus on laboratory testing, the others on real-world photography.