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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

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 — 24–50mm f/4-6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$299

Launch price

Released Jul 2020

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 3.1 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 has lower Weight (195 g vs 2140 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 has lower Length (77 mm vs 280 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/4 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Focal Length180-600 mm24-50 mm
Max Aperturef/5.6-6.3f/4-6.3
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight2140 g195 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Portrait
2.5Limited
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
3.0Limited
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
1.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Weather sealing

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Custom function button

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

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

  • Weight

    195 g vs 2140 g — lower is better

  • Length

    77 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/6.3

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Focal length (Min)
180 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
600 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5.6
f/4+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/6.3
Elements
23
16
Groups
17
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
Weight
2140 g
195 g−1,945 g less
Length
280 mm
77 mm−203 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
70 mm−11 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3
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.