Nikon Z 50mm Showdown – F1.4 vs F1.8 S

Nikon’s marketing strategy with the common prime focal lengths is a little odd.  They started with a series of premium S-Line primes…but with the uncommon maximum aperture of F1.8.  They then followed those with the extreme F1.2 options.  Everything made sense until they’ve much later decided to release a series of 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm F1.4 primes…except for these are more like the entry level primes.  The 50mm F1.4 is nearly the same size as the 50mm F1.8 S, costs about $130 less, and, confusingly, has at least one key feature that the premium lacks.  So is the slower 50mm F1.8 S still the niftiest fifty from Nikon…let’s find out.

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The Z 50mm F1.8 S was loaned to me by Nikon Canada for this test, and the 50mm F1.4 I purchased from Camera Canada in 2024. As always, this is a completely independent review.  All opinions and conclusions are my own.  *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the 45MP Nikon Z8, which I reviewed here. You can visit the product page for the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S here.

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Z 50mm F1.4 Reviews – Text | Video

50mm F1.8 S Reviews – Text | Video

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Similarities

• Extremely similar size (Same diameter, F1.8 is 2.5mm shorter and -7G)
• 62mm front filters
• Both have similar amount of seals (7)
• Both have nine rounded aperture blades
• Can do similar aperture racks
• Similar levels of focus breathing
• Both have STM focus motors with similar speed
• Was able to track sports action with both lenses
• Both delivered similar results in my hand test
• Both have almost no distortion

1. Brighter maximum aperture (2/3rds stop – 1.66x brighter)
2. Has a separate customizable control ring
3. Can focus 3cm closer and has higher 0.17x (0.15x)
4. Can produce a more blurred background for 2 reasons
5. Rounder bokeh balls

1. MUCH sharper (MTF and reality)
2. Much higher contrast
3. Much lower fringing
4. Slightly more confident video focus
5. Less vignette (still high +71 vs +88)
6. Better rendering near edges
7. Better up close performance (flatter plane of focus, better contrast and detail)
8. Has AF | MF switch
9. No fringing in bokeh balls

I actually really like the 50mm F1.4 in a lot of ways, but when you compare them head to head, there isn’t a lot of reasons to choose the F1.4 lens unless A) you really need F1.4 or B) the price difference is a deal breaker. The S-Line lens is definitely the premium (and preferred) lens despite the confusing aperture values.

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GEAR USED:

Purchase the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.8 S @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | The Camera Store | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

Purchase the Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4 @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

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