Nikon 50mm 1.8 Vs Yongnuo: The Ultimate Showdown – Which One Is Worth Your Money?
What To Know
- 8 is a well-built lens with a metal lens barrel and a rubberized focus ring.
- If you’re on a budget or you don’t need the extra features of the Nikon lens, the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 are two of the most popular prime lenses for Nikon DSLRs. Both lenses offer a fast f/1.8 aperture, making them ideal for low-light photography and shallow depth of field effects. But how do these two lenses compare in terms of image quality, build quality, and features? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 to help you decide which one is right for you.
Image Quality
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 both produce sharp images with good contrast and color reproduction. However, the Nikon lens has a slight edge in terms of image quality. It’s capable of resolving slightly more detail, and it produces less chromatic aberration and distortion.
Build Quality
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is a well-built lens with a metal lens barrel and a rubberized focus ring. The Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is also well-built, but it uses a plastic lens barrel instead of metal. Both lenses have a metal lens mount, which is important for durability.
Features
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 both have a fast f/1.8 aperture, which is great for low-light photography and shallow depth of field effects. Both lenses also have a manual focus ring, which is useful for precise focusing. However, the Nikon lens has a few additional features that the Yongnuo lens does not. These features include:
- Autofocus: The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 has a built-in autofocus motor, which makes it easy to use with Nikon DSLRs that have a built-in autofocus system. The Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 does not have an autofocus motor, so it can only be used with Nikon DSLRs that have a manual focus system.
- Aperture ring: The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 has an aperture ring, which allows you to manually adjust the aperture. The Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 does not have an aperture ring, so you can only adjust the aperture using the camera’s controls.
Price
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is typically priced around $200, while the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is typically priced around $100. This makes the Yongnuo lens a more affordable option for budget-minded photographers.
Which One Should You Choose?
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 are both great lenses, but they offer different features and price points. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality and you’re willing to pay a little more, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget or you don’t need the extra features of the Nikon lens, the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is a great option.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for a 50mm lens for your Nikon DSLR, there are a few other options you might want to consider:
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4G: This lens is a step up from the 50mm f/1.8 in terms of image quality and build quality. It has a faster f/1.4 aperture, which is great for low-light photography and shallow depth of field effects. However, it’s also more expensive than the 50mm f/1.8.
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art: This lens is a third-party option that offers excellent image quality and build quality. It’s also very sharp, even at wide apertures. However, it’s also the most expensive of the lenses we’ve discussed.
- Tamron 50mm f/1.8 Di VC USD: This lens is another third-party option that offers good image quality and build quality. It also has a built-in image stabilization system, which can be useful for handheld photography. However, it’s not as sharp as the Nikon or Sigma lenses.
The Final Verdict
The Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 are both great lenses, but they offer different features and price points. If you’re looking for the best possible image quality and you’re willing to pay a little more, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is the better choice. If you’re on a budget or you don’t need the extra features of the Nikon lens, the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is a great option.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which lens is better for low-light photography, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8?
A: Both lenses have a fast f/1.8 aperture, which is great for low-light photography. However, the Nikon lens has a slight edge in terms of image quality, so it will produce slightly better results in low-light conditions.
Q: Which lens is better for portraits, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8?
A: Both lenses can be used for portraits, but the Nikon lens is generally considered to be better for this purpose. It has a slightly longer focal length (50mm vs. 45mm), which is more flattering for portraits. It also has a faster autofocus system, which is helpful for capturing sharp portraits of moving subjects.
Q: Which lens is better for video, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 or the Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8?
A: Both lenses can be used for video, but the Nikon lens is generally considered to be better for this purpose. It has a built-in autofocus motor, which makes it easier to use with Nikon DSLRs that have a built-in autofocus system. It also has an aperture ring, which allows you to manually adjust the aperture while recording video.