Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

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AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
Overview
Released
Released	August 2014	March 2026
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	400 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups plus meniscus protective glass; Nikon Japan and the original US announcement do not list the two aspherical elements appended to the UK table	18 elements in 16 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Two fluorite elements and two ED elements	One ED, one Super ED, two aspherical, one aspherical ED, one fluorite and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the meniscus protective glass	Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat; front-element fluorine coating
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/2.8–22 throughout zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	11 blades with rounded aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 6°10′; DX 4°	FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; Nikon warns that some cameras restrict E-type lens operation	Native Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Compatible with Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.6 m	0.38 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.3×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus	Silky Swift VCM multi-focusing drive
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2.6 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Distances from focal plane; 0.38 m at 70/85 mm, 0.5 m at 105 mm, 0.6 m at 135 mm and 0.8 m at 200 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon Japan publishes 0.17×, used in the main specifications; the UK table gives 1/6.9 and Digital Camera World lists 0.14×	Maximum 0.3× at 70 mm or 0.25× at 200 mm; no separate AF/MF distinction published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	Maker six-stop claim under CIPA2024 yaw/pitch/roll testing with Z6III, Synchro VR enabled, at telephoto end in Normal mode; support depends on camera
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	159.5 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	358 mm	208 mm
Weight
Weight	3,800 g	998 g (better)
Controls
Controls	–	AF/manual switch, programmable function controls and focus limiter FULL (infinity–0.38 m) or LIMIT (infinity–5 m); control-ring clicking requires compatible camera/firmware
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Internal zoom maintains barrel length and balance
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in system, not a front screw-in thread	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Both reviews describe weather sealing; the maker specification pages used here do not publish a protection rating	Dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 159.5 mm maximum diameter × 358 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 90 mm maximum diameter × 208 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 998 g without tripod collar ring or 1180 g with it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar; the original maker announcement describes bearings for smooth rotation	Removable collar with Arca-Swiss screw-clamp foot; maker advises against lever clamps. Protective collar cover included.
Lens hood
Lens hood	–	HB-119 with filter-adjustment window
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-38 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-405 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-119 hood and CL-C3 lens case; removable tripod collar and protective cover
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon US specified August 2014 retail availability; Nikon Japan records 28 August 2014 release. Main month precision retains the earlier unspecified US availability within that month	US maker states late March 2026; exact earliest retail day or first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained