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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

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S — 70–200mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Jul 2023

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S is 4.4 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Video & HybridSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S has lower Length (126 mm vs 163 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.22 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal Length24-70 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight805 g810 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Portrait
4.5Fair
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
8.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
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 24-70mm f/2.8 S

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 4 Aspherical

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    126 mm vs 163 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    805 g vs 810 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.22 × — higher 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 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)

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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

  • 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 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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 24-70mm f/2.8 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Elements
17
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
2 ED, 4 Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.22 ×
0.25 ×+14%
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors (STM)
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Weight
805 g−5 g less
810 g
Length
126 mm−37 mm less
163 mm
Diameter
89 mm
81 mm−8 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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 May 2026.