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Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£140Lens mount:Nikon FMaximum focal length:50 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):1.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:46 °

Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.1

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

9.3

User score

▼Worse than 79% of camera-lenses
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

35%

6.3

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.4

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

▼Worse than 85% of camera-lenses
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 12,565 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
★Better than 92% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

35%

6.3

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.4

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.3
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

9.0

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 12,565 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
9.3
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 91.6% of camera lenses.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.1

Overall score

40%

9.8

Price

7.2
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Nikon F
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
52 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Only unofficial third-party options are mentioned.
Show more
Minimum focal length
50 mm
Maximum focal length
50 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
46 °
Minimum angle of view
46 °
Show more
Focus motor
screw-drive
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.45 m, which is farther than 63.6% of camera lenses and equal to 5.4% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.15xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.15x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.15x, which is lower than 64.3% of camera lenses and equal to 7.2% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Requires switching to MF.
Internal focusing
no
Internal focusing
no
This camera lens does not support internal focusing. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
180 g
Weight
180 g
This camera lens weighs 180 g, which is lighter than 88.7% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.4% of camera lenses.
Lens length
39 mm
Lens length
39 mm
This camera lens is 39 mm long, which is shorter than 94.6% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
63.5 mm
Lens diameter
63.5 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 63.5 mm, which is slimmer than 85.6% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1.2% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 1 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.8
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.8 vs 2.8
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • 330 g lighter
    Weight
    180 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (180 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    180 g vs 510 g
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 53.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    39 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (39 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    39 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 13.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63.5 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • 3.79x cheaper
    Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D is cheaper than the average camera lens (£140 vs £530).
    £140 vs £530
  • 3.79x cheaper
    Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D is cheaper than the average camera lens (£140 vs £530).
    £140 vs £530
  • 37.3% more popular
    Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D is more popular than the average camera lens (10 vs 7.3).
    10 vs 7.29
  • 11.2% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D
    the average camera lens
    Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.30 vs 8.360).
    9.3 vs 8.36
  • 1 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.8
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.8 vs 2.8
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has de-clickable aperture ring
    De-clickable aperture ring
    yes
    This camera lens has a de-clickable aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 18.3% of camera lenses support a de-clickable aperture ring.
    De-clickable aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 330 g lighter
    Weight
    180 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (180 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    180 g vs 510 g
  • 53.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    39 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (39 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    39 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 13.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63.5 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Requires switching to MF.
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    7 straight blades.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
    Barrel extends during focusing.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • No lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    7 straight blades.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Requires switching to MF.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
    Barrel extends during focusing.
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.04 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.15 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.2 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.15 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No lens hood
    Lens hood included
    no
    This camera lens does not include a lens hood, the average camera lens does. 88.7% of camera lenses include a lens hood.
  • Fixed lens hood
    Reversible lens hood
    no
    This camera lens does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 81.4% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2002
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    February 2002
    2002 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

K
kenrockwell.com
01/09/2014
Summary of the review
I
imaging-resource.com
11/05/2009
Summary of the review
P
photozone.de
Undated
Summary of the review
P
photoartfromscience.com
29/02/2016
Summary of the review
M
mattboxley.com
19/05/2016
Summary of the review
M
medium.com
16/01/2016
Summary of the review
C
casualphotophile.com
29/06/2020
Summary of the review
N
nikonians.org
05/10/2007
Summary of the review
P
photozone.de
N/A
Summary of the review
F
flokugrafie.de
12/06/2023
Summary of the review
B
bluespaces.de
28/07/2015
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
04/12/2011
Summary of the review
D
dxomark.fr
01/02/2002
Summary of the review
D
digitalcamaralens.com
25/03/2007
Summary of the review
F
fotogeek.com
30/05/2011
Summary of the review
M
masternautas.com
Sin fecha (Consultado el 10 de mayo de 2026)
Summary of the review
T
tweakers.net
27/05/2010
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 12,565 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D

  • Exceptional value for money; often called the 'Nifty Fifty' or 'Fantastic Plastic'
  • Outstanding center sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 or f/4
  • Extremely compact and lightweight (approx. 155g), making it ideal for travel and street photography
  • Large f/1.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field
  • Includes a physical manual aperture ring, useful for older film cameras and video work
  • Standard 52mm filter size is affordable and widely available

What we don't like about Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm F 1 8D

  • Lacks a built-in focus motor; will not autofocus on entry-level Nikon bodies like the D3000 or D5000 series
  • Autofocus can be noisy and slow compared to modern AF-S or 'G' series lenses
  • Soft image quality and lower contrast when shot wide open at f/1.8
  • Harsh or 'busy' bokeh (background blur) compared to more expensive alternatives
  • Build quality feels plasticky and cheap; lack of weather sealing
  • Significant softening and loss of resolution at the edges and corners when using wide apertures

Verdict

The Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D is a compact prime lens featuring a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, a 6-element in 5-group optical design, and a physical aperture control ring. Known for its lightweight 155g build and tactile handling, it delivers exceptional center sharpness and a natural 46-degree angle of view on full-frame sensors. While it offers a budget-friendly way to achieve shallow depth of field and low-light performance, it lacks an internal autofocus motor, meaning it requires a camera with a built-in AF drive to focus, and its bokeh can occasionally appear busy or harsh compared to modern alternatives.

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