Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 | NikonNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2023 | August 2020 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 70–180 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Nineteen elements in fourteen groups | Twenty-one elements in eighteen groups |
| Special elements | Five ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements | Six ED elements, two aspherical elements, one fluorite element and one SR element |
| Coatings | Antifouling coating on the front-most surface | Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coat; fluorine-coated front element, as Nikon UK specifies |
| Aperture detail | – | Constant f/2.8 maximum; f/22 minimum |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 34°20′–13°40′; DX 22°50′–9° | 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; FX and DX cameras | Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras; DX gives the angle of view of a 105–300 mm zoom on full frame |
| Teleconverter support | Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4× extends reach to 252 mm; TC-2.0× to 360 mm and maximum reproduction ratio to 0.96×. Nikon cautions that autofocus or electronic rangefinding may be unreliable depending on subject, lighting and focus point | Nikon Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x, as listed by Nikon UK |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.27 m (autofocus) | 0.5 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.48× (autofocus) | 0.2× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Stepping-motor autofocus; Nikon Japan identifies a multi-focus system | Multi-focus design, as Nikon Japan describes; Digital Camera World identifies two synchronised stepping-motor drives |
| Focus distance detail | Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.27 m at 70 mm, 0.33 m at 85 mm, 0.42 m at 105 mm, 0.58 m at 135 mm and 0.85 m at 180 mm. Nikon Japan explicitly confirms autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs measured 0.26 m at 70 mm in manual focus; that measured value does not replace Nikon's autofocus figure | Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.5 m at 70 mm, 0.63 m at 85 mm, 0.68 m at 105 mm, 0.8 m at 135 mm and 1 m at 200 mm |
| Magnification detail | Nikon's maximum reproduction ratio is 0.48×, with autofocus at minimum distance. CameraLabs' manual-focus test at 70 mm reached 1:1.9; its closest-focus image quality was weaker outside the centre | Maximum reproduction ratio 0.2× |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical VR; stabilisation depends on a compatible camera body's sensor-shift system | Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors; Nikon states 5.5 stops in Normal mode on a full-frame mirrorless body at the longest focal length, according to CIPA conditions |
| Video features | Nikon describes quiet focusing and reduced breathing, but warns that breathing can remain visible depending on distance. Digital Camera World and CameraLabs both observed breathing | Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet focusing and smooth aperture changes through the control ring |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 83.5 mm | 89 mm |
| Length | 151 mm | 220 mm |
| Weight | 795 g (better) | 1,360 g |
| Controls | Zoom ring, programmable focus/control ring and zoom lock at 70 mm; no AF/MF switch, function buttons or display. Digital Camera World describes aperture, ISO and exposure-compensation assignments | Zoom ring, focus ring, programmable control ring, L-Fn1, four repeated L-Fn2 buttons, A/M switch and DISP; OLED shows aperture, focal length, focus distance and depth of field |
| Zoom design | Extending zoom barrel; no detachable tripod collar, as CameraLabs describes | Internal zoom keeps the external length fixed, as Digital Camera World describes |
| Filter detail | 67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch | 77 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Nikon describes dust and drip resistance; complete protection is not guaranteed in all conditions | Nikon describes extensive weather sealing; no waterproof rating stated |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 83.5 × 151 mm; length from lens mount flange | Approximately 89 × 220 mm, length measured from camera lens mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 795 g | Approximately 1,360 g without tripod collar; approximately 1,440 g with tripod collar, as Nikon UK states |
| Tripod mount | – | Rotating tripod collar with removable foot and two attachment threads, as both reviews describe |
| Lens hood | HB-113 hood included | HB-92 bayonet hood included |
| In the box | LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-113 hood and CL-C2 case | LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-92 hood and CL-C3 case |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan gives 14 July 2023 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated mid-July 2023 | Nikon Japan gives 28 August 2020 as the on-sale date, following the January announcement and delayed initial availability |
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