AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8Gvs A6400
Nikon
AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011)
Starting from £169 new
Best for Everyday photography, portraits & low light
View AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Everyday Photography, Portraits & Low Light — AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011): The most recommended first prime for any Nikon DSLR owner — superb value, genuine f/1.8 speed, and works equally well on the D850 and D7500.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The af-s nikkor 50mm f/1.8g is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £169 | £899 |
| Sensor | f/1.8 (max aperture) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | 45cm minimum focus distance | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Silent Wave Motor (SWM) — fast and near-silent with full-time manual override | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | None (relies on body VR if available) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 185g | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 72mm diameter × 52.5mm length | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon F-mount (FX / DX) | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Street | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — |
More comparisons with AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
Camera family history