Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S — 800mm f/6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 4 months 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

5categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR wins 5 categories·NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S wins 0 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 500 cm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.16 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 104 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/5.6 vs f/6.3)
  • ANIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR has lower Weight (2140 g vs 2380 g)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Focal Length180-600 mm800 mm
Max Aperturef/5.6-6.3f/6.3
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5.5 stops
Weight2140 g2380 g
Min Focus38 cm500 cm
Filter Size77 mm46 mm

Size and weight, to scale

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

81 × 280 mm

2140 g (4.72 lb / 75.49 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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

104 × 277 mm

2380 g (5.25 lb / 83.95 oz)

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 3mm longer and 23mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S.

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is 240 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VRNIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Portrait
2.5Limited
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 500 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/5.6 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Weight

    2140 g vs 2380 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 SR, 1 Fluorite

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

  • Length

    277 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/6.3

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • 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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Focal length (Min)
180 mm
800 mm
Focal length (Max)
600 mm
800 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5.6+0.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/6.3
Elements
23
22
Groups
17
14
Special elements
Aspherical
3 ED, 1 SR, 1 Fluorite
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Min focus distance
38 cm−462 cm less
500 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×+56%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5.5 stops+10%
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Weight
2140 g−240 g less
2380 g
Length
280 mm
277 mm−3 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−23 mm less
104 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
46 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 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.