Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Nikon

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S — 105mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2021

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR — 180–600mm f/5.6-6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Aug 2023

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 2.2 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Macro & Close-upPortrait

Wins

0categories

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S wins 5 categories·NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR wins 0 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Weight (630 g vs 2140 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Length (138 mm vs 280 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Focal Length105 mm180-600 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/5.6-6.3
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight630 g2140 g
Min Focus28 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Portrait
7.5Good
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    630 g vs 2140 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    28 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Focal length (Min)
105 mm
180 mm
Focal length (Max)
105 mm
600 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
14
23
Groups
11
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Min focus distance
28 cm−10 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
1 ×4× more
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Weight
630 g−1,510 g less
2140 g
Length
138 mm−142 mm less
280 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.