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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

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is 1 year newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 2 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Weight (1045 g vs 1360 g)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Length (200 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 4.5 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length70-200 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops4.5 stops
Weight1360 g1045 g
Min Focus38 cm40 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 SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Control ring

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • Weight

    1045 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    200 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

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

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

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

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
23
17
Groups
17
14
Special elements
Aspherical
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
38 cm−2 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.3 ×+20%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops+11%
4.5 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
1360 g
1045 g−315 g less
Length
240 mm
200 mm−40 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−7 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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