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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 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

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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 Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has lower Weight (810 g vs 1045 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR S has lower Length (163 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.25 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 VR SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length70-200 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops4.5 stops
Weight810 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/4 VR SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
5.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
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/4 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Control ring

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

  • Weight

    810 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    163 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • 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…

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

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/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 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/4 VR S and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

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

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
23
17
Groups
17
14
Special elements
Aspherical
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/4 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/4 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/4 VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
810 g−235 g less
1045 g
Length
163 mm−37 mm less
200 mm
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/4 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.