Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

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

Viltrox

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z — 28–75mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$699

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z is 2.5 years newer.

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.

Wins

1categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Sports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S wins 1 categories·AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has lower Weight (550 g vs 1360 g)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has lower Length (117 mm vs 240 mm)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has lower Diameter (75 mm vs 81 mm)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has higher Max magnification (0.26 × vs 0.25 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR SAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Focal Length70-200 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1360 g550 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm67 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 28-75mm F2.8 Z

75 × 117 mm

550 g (1.21 lb / 19.40 oz)

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is 123mm longer and 6mm wider than AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z.

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is 810 g heavier than AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z.

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 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Portrait
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
1.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
2.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
0.0Limited
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

  • 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

Reasons to choose the AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 3 ED, 1 HR

  • Weight

    550 g vs 1360 g — lower is better

  • Length

    117 mm vs 240 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    75 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.26 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • 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 28-75mm F2.8 Z at major authorized retailers.

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

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
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
23
15
Groups
17
12
Special elements
Aspherical
3 Aspherical, 3 ED, 1 HR
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.26 ×+4%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Weight
1360 g
550 g−810 g less
Length
240 mm
117 mm−123 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
75 mm−6 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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