Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

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AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	November 2016	October 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	70–200 mm	16–50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	22 elements in 18 groups; internal focusing	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Six ED, one fluorite and one high-refractive-index element	One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal and Super Integrated coatings; fluorine front coating	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/2.8 maximum and f/22 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm for consistent exposure during high-speed bursts	f/2.8–22 throughout the zoom range
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8°00′	DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon F mount with full-frame/FX coverage; also usable on DX cameras. Electronic aperture is not supported by some older Nikon DSLRs, as Digital Camera World notes; check the individual camera's support	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Nikon lists AF-I/AF-S TC-14E, TC-14E II, TC-14E III, TC-17E II, TC-20E, TC-20E II and TC-20E III as compatible accessories	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	1.1 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Silent Wave Motor; internal focusing with automatic and manual-priority override modes	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum 1.1 m from focal plane; limiter selects full 1.1 m–infinity or 5 m–infinity	Minimum distances from focal plane are 0.15 m at 16 mm, 0.18 m at 24 mm, 0.21 m at 35 mm and 0.25 m at 50 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.21×	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Four-stop CIPA claim in Normal mode on an FX DSLR at maximum telephoto; Off, Normal and Sport settings. Automatic tripod detection permits VR use with a tripod	Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors. UK maker states up to 4.5 stops under CIPA standards with a DX camera, Normal VR mode and maximum telephoto setting. Canada announcement gives 5 stops under CIPA2024 yaw/pitch testing with Z50II at telephoto in Normal mode; these claims use different stated test conditions
Video features
Video features	–	Suppressed focus breathing and quiet focusing. Nikon Canada specifies Z50II Hi-Res Zoom for Full HD 30p/25p/24p only; Wide-area AF (L), no displayed focus point and electronic VR off
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	202.5 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	1,430 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, four focus-function buttons, focus-distance window, focus mode, range limiter and VR switches. The zoom ring is at the front and focus ring nearer the mount	Customisable control ring for focus, aperture, exposure compensation or ISO; physical zoom ring; no AF/manual switch, as confirmed by both reviews
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal zooming, confirmed by Photography Blog	Barrel extends while zooming, as confirmed by both reviews; internal focusing does not change length. Focal-length markings 16, 24, 35 and 50 mm
Filter detail
Filter detail	77 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and drip sealing around moving parts; fluorine front coating resists contamination. Not a waterproof rating	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 202.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 1,430 g according to Nikon's CIPA-based figure	Approximately 330 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Tripod collar ring with bearings for changing camera orientation	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-78 bayonet hood included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-77 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-78 hood and CL-M2 semi-soft case	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan's October announcement gives 11 November 2016 local retail availability. Earliest exact global and UK day unconfirmed, so November precision retained. Photography Blog's occasional f/4G labels and 16–35mm image captions are editorial errors within its exact f/2.8E FL review and are not copied as product specifications	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained