Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

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AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
Overview
Released
Released	September 2015	September 2024
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	200–500 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6	f/1.4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	19 elements in 12 groups; internal focusing	10 elements in seven groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements	One aspherical element
Coatings
Coatings	Super Integrated Coating	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/5.6 maximum and f/32 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts	f/1.4–16
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 47°; DX 31°30′
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	0.37 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.17×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor with manual focus override	Multi-focusing system; 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 0.37 m from focal plane; no separate AF/manual 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 0.17×
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, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body
Video features
Video features	–	Suppressed focus breathing, quiet focusing and clickless control ring
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	62 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	108 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	267.5 mm	86.5 mm
Weight
Weight	2,090 g	420 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, focus-distance window, focus-mode and range-limiter switches, VR controls and zoom lock	Separate manual focus and customisable control rings; no physical AF/manual switch or function buttons, as confirmed by Amateur Photographer
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends when zooming; Photography Blog confirms the transport lock operates at 200 mm only	Internal focusing keeps lens length unchanged
Filter detail
Filter detail	95 mm screw-in filters, 1 mm pitch; front does not rotate during focusing according to Photography Blog	62 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	Designed for dust and moisture 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 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 86.5 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 420 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-115 included
In the box
In the box	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-71 hood and CL-1434 case	LC-62B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-115 hood
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 September 2024 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. The co-marketed f/1.8 S is not treated as its predecessor