Digital Camera World - UK (2020-03)

K i t Z o n e

Verdict

As with any low-cost telephoto zoom, there are

performance compromises, notably a drop in

sharpness at longer focal lengths and towards the

edges of the frame. Nevertheless, for its price this

is a very good amateur-orientated telephoto lens.

5.0 A best-in-class product

5.0

Features

4.0

Performance

5.0

Value

he arrival of the Nikon Z 50 (reviewed in Digital

Camera 225) has caused a stir all on its own, but its

release has been accompanied two new DX (APS-C)

Nikkor Z lenses. The camera’s ‘kit’ lens is the Nikkor Z

16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR pancake zoom (reviewed in

Digital Camera 225). However, if you’re a sports, wildlife or portrait

photographer, you’ll be more excited about this telephoto zoom.

The lens gives you a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 75-375mm,

which makes this a fantastically versatile piece of kit. While the

variable aperture of f/4.5-6.3 doesn’t exactly blow us away, there

are a few interesting specs that definitely catch our eye. The first is

the in-lens vibration reduction, which allows you to shoot at shutter

speeds up to five stops slower than would otherwise be possible.

This acts as a soothing balm for the slow variable aperture,

because it will help you capture sharp shots even in low light.

Performance

Like the Nikkor Z 16-50mm, this lens offers fast, silent autofocus.

It takes perhaps half a second to travel from minimum to maximum

focus distance, but that’s still pretty quick, and a pretty extreme

focus change you rarely need in real life shooting conditions.

Nikon’s VR image stabilisation system is firing on all cylinders,

too. We were able to get a good hit rate of sharp shots at 1/30 sec

and even 1/15 sec at the maximum 250mm zoom setting – that’s

impressive, and a reminder that in-lens optical stabilisation

can be just as good as in-body systems.

The Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR won’t match a pro

lens for resolution, especially at longer focal lengths, but it

certainly outperforms its price point – and with the added

benefit of the effective VR system, this is a much better

telephoto zoom than we’d expect for this money. Louise Carey

T

1

There is no stiffness

when you extend or

retract the zoom lens.

2

The light weight of

this telephoto zoom

indicates a plastic

build, but despite

this it feels

reassuringly sturdy.

3

The control ring is set

by default to adjust the

focus, but you can set

it to adjust exposure

compensation,

aperture or ISO

instead. It is a little

narrow, though.

Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm

f/4.5-6.3 VR

£379/$349

A DX telephoto with bags of VR compensation

http://www.nikon.com

Lens mount: Nikon Z

Lens construction:

16 elements in 12 groups

Full-frame compatible: Yes (applies crop)

Effective focal length: 75-375mm

Image stabiliser: Ye s

Minimum focus distance: 0.5m

Filter size: 62mm

Internal focus: Ye s

Filter size: 62mm

Iris blades: 7

Weather seals: No

Dimensions (dia x length): 74 x 110mm

Weight: 405g

5.0

Build &

handling

2

1

3

Sharpness

Centre-frame sharpness is very good up to 135mm

and up to f/8. Sharpness is more average at 250mm.

Fringing Short 0.26 Long 0.8

Fringing is just about noticeable at the edges of

the frame, but more so at shorter focal lengths.

Distortion Short -0.14 Long 0.03

The Z 50-250mm produces almost no distortion

at any focal length, which is very impressive.

Centre sharpness

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/4.5 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

50mm 70mm 135mm 250mm

Telephoto zoom Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

GOLD

AWARD