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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — 135mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2023

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S — 70–200mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,599

Launch price

Released Oct 2020

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is 2.9 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Portrait

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 89 cm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has lower Length (140 mm vs 240 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • ANIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S PlenaNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal Length135 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight995 g1360 g
Min Focus89 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

89 × 140 mm

995 g (2.19 lb / 35.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

81 × 240 mm

1360 g (3.00 lb / 47.97 oz)

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is 100mm shorter and 8mm wider than NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is 365 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S PlenaNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Portrait
9.0Excellent
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 Aspherical, 1 SR

  • Length

    140 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Weight

    995 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 89 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.2 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Pros

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

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

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 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
16
23
Groups
13
17
Special elements
3 ED, 1 Aspherical, 1 SR
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Min focus distance
89 cm
38 cm−51 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.25 ×+25%
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Weight
995 g−365 g less
1360 g
Length
140 mm−100 mm less
240 mm
Diameter
89 mm
81 mm−8 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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