Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

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AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR compared with AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	March 2018	November 2016
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	180–400 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	27 elements in 19 groups plus protective glass; built-in converter has eight elements in five groups	22 elements in 18 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Eight ED elements and one fluorite element	Six ED, one fluorite and one high-refractive-index element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coatings; fluorine front coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–32 without the built-in converter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged	Constant f/2.8 maximum and f/22 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 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8°00′
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. Electronic aperture is not supported by some older Nikon DSLRs, as Digital Camera World notes; check the individual camera's support
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 180–400 mm f/4 or 252–560 mm f/5.6	Nikon lists AF-I/AF-S TC-14E, TC-14E II, TC-14E III, TC-17E II, TC-20E, TC-20E II and TC-20E III as compatible accessories
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2 m	1.1 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.21×
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; internal focusing with automatic and manual-priority override modes
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2 m across the zoom range; limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Minimum 1.1 m from focal plane; limiter selects full 1.1 m–infinity or 5 m–infinity
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 0.21×
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	Four-stop CIPA claim in Normal mode on an FX DSLR at maximum telephoto; Off, Normal and Sport settings. Automatic tripod detection permits VR use with a tripod
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	128 mm	88.5 mm
Length
Length	362.5 mm	202.5 mm
Weight
Weight	3,500 g	1,430 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, four focus-function buttons, focus-distance window, focus mode, range limiter and VR switches. The zoom ring is at the front and focus ring nearer the mount
Zoom design
Zoom design	Rotary zoom ring; E.J. Peiker describes internal zooming without a change in length	Internal zooming, confirmed by Photography Blog
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in holder system, not a front screw-in thread	77 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes dust and moisture sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Dust and drip sealing around moving parts; fluorine front coating resists contamination. Not a waterproof rating
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 128 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 202.5 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 1,430 g according to Nikon's CIPA-based figure
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	Tripod collar ring with bearings for changing camera orientation
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-78 bayonet hood 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-77 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-78 hood and CL-M2 semi-soft 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 Japan's October announcement gives 11 November 2016 local retail availability. Earliest exact global and UK day unconfirmed, so November precision retained. Photography Blog's occasional f/4G labels and 16–35mm image captions are editorial errors within its exact f/2.8E FL review and are not copied as product specifications