Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S | NikonNIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2019 | March 2026 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 14–30 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Fourteen elements in twelve groups | 18 elements in 16 groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Four ED and four aspherical elements | One ED, one Super ED, two aspherical, one aspherical ED, one fluorite and one SR element |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element | Meso Amorphous Coat and ARNEO Coat; front-element fluorine coating |
| Aperture detail | Constant f/4 maximum; f/22 minimum; electromagnetic diaphragm | f/2.8–22 throughout zoom range |
| Diaphragm | Seven rounded blades | 11 blades with rounded aperture |
| Angle of view | FX 114°–72°; DX 90°–50° | FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras | Native Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX image circle, also usable on DX cameras |
| Teleconverter support | – | Compatible with Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× and TC-2.0× |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.28 m | 0.38 m |
| Maximum magnification | – | 0.3× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nikon describes a multi-focusing system and virtually silent stepping-motor autofocus | Silky Swift VCM multi-focusing drive |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; minimum 0.28 m from focal plane at all zoom positions | 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 | – | Maximum 0.3× at 70 mm or 0.25× at 200 mm; no separate AF/MF distinction published |
| Stabilisation detail | Uses compatible cameras' in-body VR; Nikon quotes up to five stops under CIPA conditions for its original camera system, not optical stabilisation in the lens | 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 |
| Video features | Nikon describes reduced focus breathing and focus shift while zooming, quiet autofocus and silent aperture control | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 82 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 89 mm | 90 mm |
| Length | 85 mm | 208 mm |
| Weight | 485 g (better) | 998 g |
| Controls | Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and A/M switch; no focus-distance scale. Control ring supports exposure compensation in AF | 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 | Retractable barrel, extended by turning the zoom ring; must extend to a shooting focal length before use | Internal zoom maintains barrel length and balance |
| Filter detail | 82 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch; flat front accepts filters without a dedicated ultra-wide filter holder | – |
| Weather resistance | Nikon states sealing of moving barrel parts against dust and water droplets; not a waterproof guarantee | Dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 89 mm maximum diameter × 85 mm from the lens mount flange when retracted | Approximately 90 mm maximum diameter × 208 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 485 g | Approximately 998 g without tripod collar ring or 1180 g with it |
| Tripod mount | – | Removable collar with Arca-Swiss screw-clamp foot; maker advises against lever clamps. Protective collar cover included. |
| Lens hood | HB-86 included | HB-119 with filter-adjustment window |
| In the box | LC-82B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-86 hood and CL-C1 case | LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-119 hood and CL-C3 lens case; removable tripod collar and protective cover |
| Release detail | Nikon School UK states on sale April 2019. Photography Blog still described pre-orders on April 29; a confirmed first retail day was not found, so the maker's month precision is retained | US maker states late March 2026; exact earliest retail day or first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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