Nikon Z 16-50
This is a kit lens for the Nikon Z FC
Ok this is technically a kit lens, which usually means a cheaper compromise lens so that people that buy the camera have a decent lens to get started and then can move to more exciting lenses. But combined with the Nikon Z FC this lens delivers serious pictures. Does it look plasticky and cheap, yes. But check the gallery below, the pictures do not look like it came from a 130 gram lens. Weight is a serious asset of this lens. Technically it covers the same range as the Nikon 24-70 which is quite a useful range but falls quite a bit short. However, the idea behind the Nikon Z FC is also a bit the weight, so keeping the combined weight well below 600 grams is a major plus.
The lens has a collapse feature, rotate the zoom ring past 16mm and the lens will collapse making it more compact to carry.
| Price | Cheap, but usually comes bundled with the camera |
|---|---|
| Weight | 130g (not a typo) |
| Good for | General purpose for everything |
| New or used | Usually will come as part of a kit, it does not look so robust I would be careful when buying used |
Just no. This is anyway a lens for a mirrorless camera, and if you are using a full frame camera, get something that will work for you.
Well it is made for APS-C so this is where you should be using it. The move from 18mm to 16mm actually makes quite a bit of difference, for all practical purposes (16mm in APS-C is equivalent to 24mm in full frame) is as wide as you will need to go before things starting to get tricky. The longer end unfortunately is a bit on the shorter side. It is totally understandable if you want a bit more but considering the weight, this is actually a good compromise.
It has been only a few days, but I do not think I will use another lens on my Nikon Z FC. If I need longer lenses (which are much heavier) I will go with an older (more robust body).
Gallery
These two setups are closer to performance than you think. The newer electronics in Nikon Z FC make up for the smaller APS-C sensor and the slower lens (for the most part). But the weight difference is 3x.
This is the first picture I took with the Nikon Z FC. I am really amazed by how easy it was to take such a nice picture first time around.
This is how point and shoot looks like with a modern mirrorless camera.
It is possible to manually control everything like in this picture.
A 1:1 crop from the previous picture to see the details.
The same image using fully automated controls. One can argue whether or not it could be better (it can), but allowing you to take pictures easily is the job of your equipment.
Again a 1:1 crop from the previous picture to hunt for issues.
These pages are for Amateur Photographers and not really for seasoned photographers and professionals. I have no affiliation or commercial interest with any brand/make. I write from my own experience. I ended up using mainly Nikon, so I am more familiar with this brand than others. See price for notes on pricing as well as photography related links.