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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 — 40mm f/2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$279

Launch price

Released Sep 2021

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 40mm f/2 is 11 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 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)
  • ANIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 has lower Weight (170 g vs 1360 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 has lower Length (74 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal Length40 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight170 g1360 g
Min Focus30 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 40mm f/2NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Landscape
1.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
1.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

  • Weight

    170 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    74 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Weather sealing

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Custom function button

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

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

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 40mm f/2 and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Focal length (Min)
40 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Elements
14
23
Groups
11
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Min focus distance
30 cm−8 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.25 ×+67%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Weight
170 g−1,190 g less
1360 g
Length
74 mm−166 mm less
240 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
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 May 2026.