Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S

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AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S
Overview
Released
Released	September 2015	February 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	200–500 mm	35 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6	f/1.2
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	19 elements in 12 groups; internal focusing	17 elements in 15 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements	Three ED, one aspherical ED and three aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/5.6 maximum and f/32 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts	f/1.2–16
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	11 rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 12°20′–5°00′; DX 8°00′–3°10′	FX 63°; DX 44°
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	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, 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	0.3 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.2×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	–
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override	Multi-focusing system with dual stepping motors; automatic or manual 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 0.3 m from focal plane; no separate AF/MF distance published
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 0.2×
Video features
Video features	–	Suppressed focus breathing, quiet focusing and clickless control ring; linear manual focusing can be enabled through compatible camera settings
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	–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	82 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	108 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	267.5 mm	150 mm
Weight
Weight	2,090 g	1,060 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock	Two customisable L-Fn buttons for horizontal or vertical shooting, customisable control ring and manual focus ring; AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews
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	82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe a rubber mount gasket but no comprehensive weather sealing; main weather-resistance flag is false	Sealed body, mount and movable barrel parts for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under 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 90 mm maximum diameter × 150 mm from 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 1060 g
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	HB-110 included
In the box
In the box	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-71 hood and CL-1434 case	LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-110 hood and CL-C2 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 states late February 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained