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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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR — 12–28mm f/3.5-5.6 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$359

Launch price

Released Dec 2022

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Video & Hybrid

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR wins 3 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Weight (205 g vs 1360 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Length (79 mm vs 240 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Focal Length70-200 mm12-28 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/3.5-5.6
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1360 g205 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm62 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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Portrait
7.5Good
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
6.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
5.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.5Limited
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 (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • 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 aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

  • Weight

    205 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    79 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 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

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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • 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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

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 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
12 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
28 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+0.6 stops wider
f/3.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
Elements
23
16
Groups
17
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Weight
1360 g
205 g−1,155 g less
Length
240 mm
79 mm−161 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
65 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.