Nikon

Nikon 20109 NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm VR Silver Lens

4.5 (124 reviews)

Compact retractable zoom lens with built-in VR stabilization for Nikon Z DX mirrorless cameras.

$326.95*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is a pancake-style retractable zoom designed to complement Nikon's compact APS-C mirrorless cameras. Covering a useful 16-50mm range (roughly 24-75mm equivalent), it handles everything from wide-angle landscapes and architecture to everyday portraits and close-up details. The retractable barrel collapses the lens to a remarkably slim profile when not in use, making the entire camera-and-lens package small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or small bag. Despite its diminutive size, Nikon has included Extra-low Dispersion and aspherical glass elements to maintain image sharpness and minimize optical flaws across the zoom range.

Built-in Vibration Reduction counteracts hand shake to help you shoot at slower shutter speeds without a tripod, which is especially valuable when zoomed in or working in lower light. The stepping motor autofocus system delivers quick, precise, and near-silent focusing that performs well for both stills and video capture. While the variable f/3.5-6.3 aperture means this is not a low-light specialist, it strikes an excellent balance between optical quality, versatility, and portability for photographers who want a capable all-around lens without the bulk.

Key Features

Ultra compact: The smallest DX format lens ever, now with a special edition silver finish.

Image stabilized: Built-in VR image stabilization counteracts hand-held camera shake for steadier videos and sharper photos.

Fast autofocus: Uses a fast, nearly silent stepping motor for autofocusing.

Reduces aberrations: Extra-low Dispersion and Aspherical glass elements reduce color defects for sharper, clearer images with outstanding contrast.

Custom control ring: Turn the ring on the lens to control focusing, aperture, ISO or exposure compensation.

Specifications

Focal Length
16-50mm
Format
DX / APS-C
Maximum Aperture
f/3.5-6.3
Image Stabilization
Vibration Reduction (VR)
Autofocus Motor
Stepping Motor (STM)
Optical Elements
Extra-low Dispersion and Aspherical glass elements
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
Color
Silver
Model Number
20109

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Retractable design makes it exceptionally compact and portable for a zoom lens.
  • Built-in Vibration Reduction helps produce sharper handheld images in challenging light.
  • Stepping motor autofocus is fast and nearly silent, ideal for video recording.
  • Versatile 16-50mm zoom range covers wide-angle to short telephoto for everyday use.
  • Extra-low Dispersion and aspherical elements reduce chromatic aberration and distortion.

👎 Cons

  • DX-format only, so it will crop significantly if used on a full-frame Nikon Z body.
  • Variable maximum aperture narrows as you zoom in, limiting low-light performance at the telephoto end.
  • The retractable design requires manually extending the lens before each shooting session.
  • No weather sealing, so care is needed in rain or dusty environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is designed for Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras with an APS-C (DX) sensor, such as the Z50, Z30, and Zfc.
Yes, it features Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) system to help reduce blur from camera shake, especially useful in lower light or at slower shutter speeds.
When powered off, the lens retracts into a more compact form for easier storage and transport. You extend it by rotating the zoom ring before shooting.
No, it uses a stepping motor (STM) that provides fast and nearly silent autofocus, making it well suited for both photo and video work.
On a DX-format body, the 16-50mm range provides a 35mm-equivalent field of view of approximately 24-75mm.