Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR compared with AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	March 2018	September 2015
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	180–400 mm	200–500 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	27 elements in 19 groups plus protective glass; built-in converter has eight elements in five groups	19 elements in 12 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Eight ED elements and one fluorite element	Three ED elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Super Integrated Coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–32 without the built-in converter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged	Constant f/5.6 maximum and f/32 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 13°40′–6°10′ without converter or 9°50′–4°30′ with it; DX 9°–4° or 6°20′–2°50′ respectively	FX 12°20′–5°00′; DX 8°00′–3°10′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon F mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; electromagnetic aperture control requires compatible camera operation	Nikon F mount with full-frame/FX coverage; also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 180–400 mm f/4 or 252–560 mm f/5.6	Nikon lists TC-14E, TC-14E II and TC-14E III with autofocus only on f/8-compatible cameras; TC-17E II, TC-20E, TC-20E II and TC-20E III are compatible without autofocus
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2 m	2.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.22×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; original Nikon announcement describes enhanced tracking and cross-type outer AF points on compatible 153-point cameras with the required firmware	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2 m across the zoom range; limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Minimum 2.2 m from focal plane throughout the zoom range; Photography Blog confirms full-range or 6 m–infinity limiter and internal focusing
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon UK publishes 0.25× at 400 mm without the converter, used in the main specifications; 0.36× at 560 mm with it engaged	Maximum 0.22× according to Nikon; Photography Blog's measured 1:4.3 is not substituted for the maker specification
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR at the longest zoom position; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	4.5-stop CIPA claim in Normal mode on an FX DSLR at maximum telephoto; Sport mode assists tracking moving subjects
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	No
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	128 mm	108 mm
Length
Length	362.5 mm	267.5 mm
Weight
Weight	3,500 g	2,090 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Lockable built-in converter lever; ePHOTOzine describes A/M, M/A and M modes plus focus-function buttons for AF lock, AF-ON or Memory Recall	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock
Zoom design
Zoom design	Rotary zoom ring; E.J. Peiker describes internal zooming without a change in length	Barrel extends when zooming; Photography Blog confirms the transport lock operates at 200 mm only
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in holder system, not a front screw-in thread	95 mm screw-in filters, 1 mm pitch; front does not rotate during focusing according to Photography Blog
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes dust and moisture sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Both reviews describe a rubber mount gasket but no comprehensive weather sealing; main weather-resistance flag is false
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 128 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm from the mount flange	Nikon global specifies approximately 108 mm maximum diameter × 267.5 mm from mount flange, used for main values. The UK table instead lists 107.3 × 266.8 mm; this discrepancy is retained rather than averaged
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Nikon global specifies approximately 2,090 g without the collar, used for main weight; 2,300 g with collar is also confirmed by Nikon USA's launch release. The UK table instead lists 2,500 g without explaining its basis
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	360° rotating collar with 90° position marks and removable foot; E.J. Peiker notes that the supplied foot lacks an Arca-Swiss dovetail	Removable collar allows camera rotation; supplied foot and 90° rotation markings confirmed by Photography Blog
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-71 included
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists LC-K103 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-41 hood, dedicated filter holder, 40.5 mm NC filter, LN-2 strap and CL-L2 case	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-71 hood and CL-1434 case
Release detail
Release detail	Original Nikon US announcement specifies March 2018 retail availability; January CES introduction is not used as the first-sale date	Nikon USA's August 2015 release states mid-September retail availability; earliest exact global and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Photography Blog's 16–35mm image captions are editorial errors within the exact 200–500mm review