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

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

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	September 2015	September 2018
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	200–500 mm	500 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6	f/5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	19 elements in 12 groups; internal focusing	19 elements in 11 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements	Three ED glass elements and one Phase Fresnel element
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front lens surface
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/5.6 maximum and f/32 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts	Electromagnetic E-type automatic diaphragm
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
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	Nikon F mount with FX coverage, also usable on DX; Nikon warns that some cameras impose E-type lens restrictions. Nikon USA confirms Z6 and Z7 use with the FTZ mount adapter
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	Nikon confirms compatibility with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.2 m	3 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.18×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override	Nikon internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor; manual focus possible
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 3 m from the focal plane; focus limiter selects the full range 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	Four stops under CIPA testing in Normal mode on a full-frame/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	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	108 mm	106 mm
Length
Length	267.5 mm	237 mm
Weight
Weight	2,090 g	1,460 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock	Focus ring, focus-mode switch, focus limiter and VR switch; Photography Blog identifies focus-function buttons and 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	95 mm screw-in filters; 1.0 mm thread pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe a rubber mount gasket but no comprehensive weather sealing; main weather-resistance flag is false	Nikon specifies dust- and drip-resistant construction with seals at moving barrel parts and other locations; fluorine coating helps repel dirt and water on the front lens surface
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 106 mm maximum diameter × 237 mm length from the lens 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	Approximately 1,460 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Removable collar allows camera rotation; supplied foot and 90° rotation markings confirmed by Photography Blog	Rotating tripod collar; Photography Blog describes the locking knob for switching between horizontal and vertical orientation
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-71 included	HB-84 bayonet hood included
In the box
In the box	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-71 hood and CL-1434 case	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-84 hood and CL-M5 lens case
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 USA announced availability on 13 September 2018; Nikon Japan records sale on 14 September 2018