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

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

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S
Overview
Released
Released	September 2018	February 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	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 11 groups	17 elements in 15 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED glass elements and one Phase Fresnel element	Three ED, one aspherical ED and three aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front lens surface	Meso Amorphous, Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Electromagnetic E-type automatic diaphragm	f/1.2–16
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	11 rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 5°; DX 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 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	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Nikon confirms compatibility with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	3 m	0.3 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.18×	0.2×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	–
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Nikon internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor; manual focus possible	Multi-focusing system with dual stepping motors; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 3 m from the focal plane; focus limiter selects the full range or infinity–8 m	Minimum 0.3 m from focal plane; no separate AF/MF distance published
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	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	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	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	82 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	106 mm	90 mm
Length
Length	237 mm	150 mm
Weight
Weight	1,460 g	1,060 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Focus ring, focus-mode switch, focus limiter and VR switch; Photography Blog identifies focus-function buttons and memory recall	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
Filter detail
Filter detail	95 mm screw-in filters; 1.0 mm thread pitch	82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	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	Sealed body, mount and movable barrel parts for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 106 mm maximum diameter × 237 mm length from the lens mount flange	Approximately 90 mm maximum diameter × 150 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 1,460 g	Approximately 1060 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar; Photography Blog describes the locking knob for switching between horizontal and vertical orientation	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-84 bayonet hood included	HB-110 included
In the box
In the box	LC-95 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-84 hood and CL-M5 lens case	LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-110 hood and CL-C2 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA announced availability on 13 September 2018; Nikon Japan records sale on 14 September 2018	Nikon USA states late February 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained