Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

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 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
Overview
Released
Released	September 2015	April 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	200–500 mm	28–135 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	18 elements in 13 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements	Three ED elements, one aspherical ED element and four aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	Meso Amorphous Coat and fluorine coating on the front element
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
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 12°20′–5°00′; DX 8°00′–3°10′	FX 75° to 18°10′; DX 53° to 12°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon F mount with full-frame/FX coverage; also usable on DX cameras	–
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	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.2 m	0.34 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.25×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override	Stepping motor autofocus and internal focusing
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 distances of 0.34 m at 28, 35 and 50 mm; 0.39 m at 70 mm; 0.43 m at 85 mm; 0.49 m at 105 mm; 0.57 m at 135 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.22× according to Nikon; Photography Blog's measured 1:4.3 is not substituted for the maker specification	Maximum reproduction ratio 0.25× at 55–135 mm
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	No optical VR, confirmed by Digital Camera World; camera stabilisation depends on the body
Video features
Video features	–	Focus-breathing suppression, linear manual-focus support and power zoom; Hi-Res Zoom synchronisation requires a supported camera and suitable firmware
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	105 mm
Length
Length	267.5 mm	177.5 mm
Weight
Weight	2,090 g	1,210 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock	Zoom rocker, electronically coupled zoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, two L-Fn buttons and A–M switch; no mechanically driven manual zoom ring
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends when zooming; Photography Blog confirms the transport lock operates at 200 mm only	Internal power zoom with eleven selectable speeds on compatible cameras; adjustable zoom-ring direction and rotation angle, with firmware and camera compatibility requirements
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 filter thread; HB-116 rectangular hood has a filter adjustment window
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe a rubber mount gasket but no comprehensive weather sealing; main weather-resistance flag is false	Maker dust and drip-resistant design; protection is not guaranteed in every condition
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 105 mm maximum diameter × 177.5 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	Approximately 1,210 g including tripod collar, used in the main specifications; approximately 1,120 g without it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Removable collar allows camera rotation; supplied foot and 90° rotation markings confirmed by Photography Blog	Tripod collar with removable foot
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	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-116 hood and CL-C5 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 specified April 2025 retail availability; the February announcement date is not used as the on-sale date