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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 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

Nikon's flagship S-Line standard zoom offering incredible resolution and custom OLED info panel.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Feb 2019

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 4.5 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Weight (805 g vs 2140 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Length (126 mm vs 280 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Focal Length180-600 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/5.6-6.3f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight2140 g805 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 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 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Portrait
2.5Limited
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • 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

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.22 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 4 Aspherical

  • Weight

    805 g vs 2140 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Length

    126 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

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 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 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Pros

  • Stunning resolution and contrast across zoom range
  • OLED information panel displays focal length, focus, or aperture
  • Multi-focusing stepping motor system for silent, rapid AF
  • Almost zero focus breathing

Cons

  • No optical stabilization (relies on Nikon body IBIS)
  • No mechanical aperture ring (uses control ring instead)

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 24-70mm f/2.8 S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Focal length (Min)
180 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
600 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5.6
f/2.8+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
Elements
23
17
Groups
17
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 ED, 4 Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+14%
0.22 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors (STM)
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
Weight
2140 g
805 g−1,335 g less
Length
280 mm
126 mm−154 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−8 mm less
89 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 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 May 2026.