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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

Panasonic

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II — 12–35mm f/2.8 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Jun 2017

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is 3.3 years newer.

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Wins

0categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Video & HybridLandscape

5 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 0 categories·LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II wins 3 categories
  • BLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Weight (305 g vs 1360 g)
  • BLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Length (93 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II has lower Diameter (61 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Focal Length70-200 mm12-35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1360 g305 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm58 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 SLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Portrait
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Landscape
3.0Limited
8.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
7.0Good
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

  • Custom function button

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

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

  • Weight

    305 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    93 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    61 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

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

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • 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 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II at major authorized retailers.

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

Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
12 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
23
16
Groups
17
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
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
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Weight
1360 g
305 g−1,055 g less
Length
240 mm
93 mm−147 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
61 mm−20 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
58 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 12-35mm F2.8 II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Full Frame
Micro Four Thirds

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