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

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

	NikonNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S	NikonNIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
Overview
Released
Released	August 2020	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	Twenty-one elements in eighteen groups	12 elements in 11 groups; internal focusing
Special elements
Special elements	Six ED elements, two aspherical elements, one fluorite element and one SR element	One ED and two aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coat; fluorine-coated front element, as Nikon UK specifies	–
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	Constant f/2.8 maximum; f/22 minimum	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°	DX 83°–31°30′; 24–75 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	APS-C
Compatibility
Compatibility	Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras; DX gives the angle of view of a 105–300 mm zoom on full frame	Native Nikon Z mount; designed for DX/APS-C format
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Nikon Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x, as listed by Nikon UK	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.5 m	0.15 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.2×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Multi-focus design, as Nikon Japan describes; Digital Camera World identifies two synchronised stepping-motor drives	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	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	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 reproduction ratio 0.2×	Maximum 0.24× at 50 mm; no separate AF/MF figure published
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	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	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	Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet focusing and smooth aperture changes through the control ring	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	89 mm	74.5 mm
Length
Length	220 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	1,360 g	330 g (better)
Controls
Controls	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	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 zoom keeps the external length fixed, as Digital Camera World describes	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-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch	67 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Nikon describes extensive weather sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Designed for dust and drip resistance; resistance is not guaranteed under every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 89 × 220 mm, length measured from camera lens mount flange	Approximately 74.5 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 1,360 g without tripod collar; approximately 1,440 g with tripod collar, as Nikon UK states	Approximately 330 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Rotating tripod collar with removable foot and two attachment threads, as both reviews describe	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-92 bayonet hood included	HB-118 included
In the box
In the box	LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-92 hood and CL-C3 case	LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap and HB-118 hood
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon Japan gives 28 August 2020 as the on-sale date, following the January announcement and delayed initial availability	Nikon Canada states late October 2025 availability; earliest exact retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained