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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

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 2.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Video & HybridSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has lower Weight (810 g vs 1360 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has lower Length (163 mm vs 240 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal Length70-200 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1360 g810 g
Min Focus38 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 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Portrait
7.5Good
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

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

  • Weight

    810 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    163 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

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

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 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
23
23
Groups
17
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
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 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
Weight
1360 g
810 g−550 g less
Length
240 mm
163 mm−77 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR 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.