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Nikon

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR — 12–28mm f/3.5-5.6 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$359

Launch price

Released Dec 2022

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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is 1.2 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Video & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR wins 3 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 2 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Weight (205 g vs 1045 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Length (79 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
  • ANIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 88 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VRFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length12-28 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/3.5-5.6f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops4.5 stops
Weight205 g1045 g
Min Focus38 cm40 cm
Filter Size62 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VRFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
2.5Limited
7.5Good
Sports & Action
4.0Fair
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.5Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    205 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    79 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher 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 (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/3.5 — 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

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • 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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
12 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/3.5
f/2.8+0.6 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/2.8+2 stops wider
Elements
16
17
Groups
12
14
Special elements
Aspherical
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
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 DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops+11%
4.5 stops
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
205 g−840 g less
1045 g
Length
79 mm−121 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
65 mm−23 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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