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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S — 70–200mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Jul 2023

vs

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

6categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S wins 1 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 163 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length70-200 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight810 g695 g
Min Focus38 cm21 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
5.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
4.0Fair
5.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 163 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 810 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
23
20
Groups
17
15
Special elements
Aspherical
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
38 cm
21 cm−17 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.32 ×+28%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
810 g
695 g−115 g less
Length
163 mm
120 mm−43 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−7 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM 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.