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

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

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
Overview
Released
Released	March 2018	March 2026
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	18 elements in 16 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Eight ED elements and one fluorite element	One ED, one Super ED, two aspherical, one aspherical ED, one fluorite and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat; front-element fluorine coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–32 without the built-in converter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged	f/2.8–22 throughout zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	11 blades with rounded aperture
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°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z 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	Native Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX image circle, 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	Compatible with Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2 m	0.38 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.3×
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	Silky Swift VCM multi-focusing drive
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2 m across the zoom range; limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	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 UK publishes 0.25× at 400 mm without the converter, used in the main specifications; 0.36× at 560 mm with it engaged	Maximum 0.3× at 70 mm or 0.25× at 200 mm; no separate AF/MF distinction published
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	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	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	128 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	362.5 mm	208 mm
Weight
Weight	3,500 g	998 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	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	Rotary zoom ring; E.J. Peiker describes internal zooming without a change in length	Internal zoom maintains barrel length and balance
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in holder system, not a front screw-in thread	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes dust and moisture sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 128 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm from the mount flange	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	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 with Arca-Swiss screw-clamp foot; maker advises against lever clamps. Protective collar cover included.
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-119 with filter-adjustment window
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-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	Original Nikon US announcement specifies March 2018 retail availability; January CES introduction is not used as the first-sale date	US maker states late March 2026; exact earliest retail day or first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained