Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | August 2020 | October 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 70–200 mm | 35 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.7 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Macro lens | – | Yes |
| Optical construction | Twenty-one elements in eighteen groups | Eight elements in seven groups; internal focusing |
| Special elements | Six ED elements, two aspherical elements, one fluorite element and one SR element | One aspherical ED element |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO coat; fluorine-coated front element, as Nikon UK specifies | – |
| Aperture detail | Constant f/2.8 maximum; f/22 minimum | At infinity f/1.7–16; at 0.16 m focus distance f/3.2–22 |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 34°20′–12°20′; DX 22°50′–8° | DX 44°; Nikon Canada gives 52.5 mm equivalent angle of view in FX format |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| 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 | Nikon Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x, as listed by Nikon UK | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.5 m | 0.16 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.2× | 0.67× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| 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 | 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 0.16 m measured from the focal plane; UK maker states 7.2 cm working distance from the front of the lens |
| Magnification detail | Maximum reproduction ratio 0.2× | Actual maximum reproduction ratio 0.67×; Nikon describes this as life-size equivalent in 35 mm/FX format, rather than an actual 1× ratio |
| 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 | No optical VR, as confirmed by both reviews; camera-body stabilisation depends on the body |
| Video features | Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet focusing and smooth aperture changes through the control ring | Suppressed focus breathing and quiet focusing; silent control ring |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 52 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 89 mm | 70 mm |
| Length | 220 mm | 72 mm |
| Weight | 1,360 g | 220 g (better) |
| 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; no physical AF/manual switch, as noted by Amateur Photographer |
| Zoom design | Internal zoom keeps the external length fixed, as Digital Camera World describes | Internal focusing keeps total length unchanged |
| Filter detail | 77 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch | 52 mm screw-in filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| 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 | Approximately 89 × 220 mm, length measured from camera lens mount flange | Approximately 70 mm maximum diameter × 72 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1,360 g without tripod collar; approximately 1,440 g with tripod collar, as Nikon UK states | Approximately 220 g, lens only |
| Tripod mount | Rotating tripod collar with removable foot and two attachment threads, as both reviews describe | – |
| Lens hood | HB-92 bayonet hood included | Optional HN-43, sold separately |
| In the box | LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-92 hood and CL-C3 case | LC-52B front cap and LF-N1 rear cap |
| 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 |
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