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

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

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	September 2015	July 2015
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	200–500 mm	500 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	19 elements in 12 groups; internal focusing	16 elements in 12 groups plus one protective glass element
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements	Three ED elements and two fluorite elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/5.6 maximum and f/32 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 12°20′–5°00′; DX 8°00′–3°10′	FX 5°; DX 3°10′
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon F mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon F mount with full-frame/FX coverage; also usable on DX cameras	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; electromagnetic aperture control restricts compatibility with some older DSLRs
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	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	Original Nikon announcement lists TC-14E, TC-17E and TC-20E series; autofocus operation depends on the converter and camera aperture support
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.2 m	3.6 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.15×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 2.2 m from focal plane throughout the zoom range; Photography Blog confirms full-range or 6 m–infinity limiter and internal focusing	Minimum focal-plane distance 3.6 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–8 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.22× according to Nikon; Photography Blog's measured 1:4.3 is not substituted for the maker specification	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	4.5-stop CIPA claim in Normal mode on an FX DSLR at maximum telephoto; Sport mode assists tracking moving subjects	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	40.5 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	108 mm	140 mm
Length
Length	267.5 mm	387 mm
Weight
Weight	2,090 g (better)	3,090 g
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock	Reviews describe A/M and M/A modes and four configurable buttons for AF-ON, AF lock or focus memory recall
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends when zooming; Photography Blog confirms the transport lock operates at 200 mm only	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	95 mm screw-in filters, 1 mm pitch; front does not rotate during focusing according to Photography Blog	40.5 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe a rubber mount gasket but no comprehensive weather sealing; main weather-resistance flag is false	Original Nikon announcement describes sealing and gaskets against the elements; no waterproof rating stated
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	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	Approximately 140 mm maximum diameter × 387 mm from the mount flange
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	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	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-71 hood and CL-1434 case	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-34 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-505 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar
Release detail
Release detail	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	Nikon US specified mid-July 2015 retail availability; the 2 July announcement is not used as the first-sale date