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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
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Viltrox

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Sony E Mount

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE is 3.9 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 2 categories·AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE wins 3 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 72 cm)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Length (145.7 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal Length70-200 mm135 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1360 g1235 g
Min Focus38 cm72 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

81 × 240 mm

1360 g (3.00 lb / 47.97 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE shown to scale

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

93 × 146 mm

1235 g (2.72 lb / 43.56 oz)

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is 94mm longer and 12mm narrower than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE.

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is 125 g heavier than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

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 SAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Portrait
7.5Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    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

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 72 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR

  • Length

    145.7 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Weight

    1235 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

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

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

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 AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE at major authorized retailers.

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

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
135 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
135 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Elements
23
14
Groups
17
9
Special elements
Aspherical
2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Min focus distance
38 cm−34 cm less
72 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Weight
1360 g
1235 g−125 g less
Length
240 mm
145.7 mm−94 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−12 mm less
93 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full-Frame

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