Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

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AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

	NikonAF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
Overview
Released
Released	April 2014	March 2026
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	18–300 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–6.3	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–40	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups	18 elements in 16 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED glass elements and three aspherical elements	One ED, one Super ED, two aspherical, one aspherical ED, one fluorite and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	–	Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat; front-element fluorine coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/3.5 maximum and f/22 minimum at 18 mm; f/6.3 maximum and f/40 minimum at 300 mm	f/2.8–22 throughout zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven rounded blades	11 blades with rounded aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	DX 76°–5°20′; angle of view equivalent to 27–450 mm on FX	FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon F-mount G-type CPU lens designed for DX	Native Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Compatible with Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.48 m	0.38 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.29×	0.3×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor and manual focusing available; Nikon USA identifies Silent Wave Motor	Silky Swift VCM multi-focusing drive
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 0.48 m from the focal plane throughout the zoom range	Distances from focal plane; 0.38 m at 70/85 mm, 0.5 m at 105 mm, 0.6 m at 135 mm and 0.8 m at 200 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon Japan specifies maximum 0.29×; Digital Camera World's table gives 0.32×. The maker figure is retained	Maximum 0.3× at 70 mm or 0.25× at 200 mm; no separate AF/MF distinction published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four stops under CIPA conditions measured at maximum telephoto on an APS-C/DX DSLR; Normal mode, with no tripod VR	Maker six-stop claim under CIPA2024 yaw/pitch/roll testing with Z6III, Synchro VR enabled, at telephoto end in Normal mode; support depends on camera
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	78.5 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	99 mm	208 mm
Weight
Weight	550 g (better)	998 g
Controls
Controls	Focus and zoom rings; ePHOTOzine identifies a lock at 18 mm and manual focus override. Digital Camera World notes no distance scale	AF/manual switch, programmable function controls and focus limiter FULL (infinity–0.38 m) or LIMIT (infinity–5 m); control-ring clicking requires compatible camera/firmware
Zoom design
Zoom design	Rotating zoom ring with markings at 18, 35, 70, 105, 200 and 300 mm	Internal zoom maintains barrel length and balance
Filter detail
Filter detail	67 mm screw-in filters; ePHOTOzine reports a non-rotating thread during focusing	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews identify a rubber gasket at the metal mount; no general maker protection rating is assigned	Dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 78.5 mm maximum diameter × 99 mm from the mount	Approximately 90 mm maximum diameter × 208 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 998 g without tripod collar ring or 1180 g with it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	–	Removable collar with Arca-Swiss screw-clamp foot; maker advises against lever clamps. Protective collar cover included.
Lens hood
Lens hood	Not included in Nikon UK's accessory list; Digital Camera World confirms the hood is sold separately, despite ePHOTOzine describing a supplied hood	HB-119 with filter-adjustment window
In the box
In the box	LC-67 front cap and LF-4 rear cap according to Nikon UK	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-119 hood and CL-C3 lens case; removable tripod collar and protective cover
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan records 24 April 2014 availability; Nikon USA's original announcement specifies May 2014	US maker states late March 2026; exact earliest retail day or first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained