Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

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Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4

Telephoto Zoom | Leica SL

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Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

SuperZoom | Nikon F (FX)

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Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 vs Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 is a Telephoto Zoom lens with a 90-280mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 - F4.0 whereas Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR is a SuperZoom lens with a 28-300mm focal range and max aperture of F3.5 - F5.6.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 Key Specs

90-280mm Focal Range

F2.8 - F4.0 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Weather Sealed

Filter Thread: 82mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Leica SL Mount

Weight: 1710g.

Diameter: mm

Length: mm

Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Key Specs

28-300mm Focal Range

F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Filter Thread: 77mm

Max Format:

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 800g.

Diameter: 83mm

Length: 115mm

Min Focus Distance:0.5m

Max Magnification:0.32x

Size and Weight Comparison

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR weighs 800g, 113% (910g) lighter than the Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4's weight of 1710g.

Lens Mounts

Both Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 has the Leica SL lens mount whereas the Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sigma fp L, Leica SL2-S and Panasonic S5 for the Leica SL Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.

Focal Range

Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 has a focal range of 90-280mm and 3.1X zoom ratio . Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR has a focal range of 28-300mm and 10.7X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42 - 450mm.

Reasons to choose Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

Max Aperture - Wide	2.8 vs 3.5	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	4 vs 5.6	Wider aperture at tele end
Diameter	mm vs 83mm	83mm smaller in diameter
Length	mm vs 115mm	115mm shorter
Weather Sealing	Yes vs No	safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance	m vs 0.5m	can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR over Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4

Focal Length - Wide	28mm vs 90mm	62mm Wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele	300mm vs 280mm	20mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom	10.70x vs 3.10x	More flexible focal coverage
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight	800g vs 1710g	910g lighter
Filter Thread	77mm vs 82mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification	0.32x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

Image Stabilization	Yes vs Yes	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Internal Focusing	Yes vs Yes	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing

Common Weaknesses of Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

Internal Zoom	No vs No	Length of the lens changes during zooming

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Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4 vs Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Leica Elmarit-SL 90-280 mm F2.8-4	Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
Brand	Leica	Nikon
Lens Type	Zoom	Zoom
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Zoom	SuperZoom
Lens Mount	Leica SL	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	90-280mm	28-300mm
Image Stabilization	Yes	Yes
Colour	Unknown	Black
Zoom Method	Rotary (extending)	Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom	-	No
Zoom Lock	-	Yes
Zoom Ratio	3.1X	10.7X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F2.8 - F4.0	F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture		F22.0 - F38.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	unknown	9
Optics
Optical Elements	23	19
Optical Groups	7	14
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	unknown	0.5m
Max Magnification	unknown	0.32X
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Stepper motor	Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual	Unknown	Yes
Focus Method	Internal	Internal
Distance Scale	Unknown	Yes
DoF Scale	Unknown	No
Distance Scale	Unknown	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	1710g	800g
Diameter	Unknown	83mm
Length	Unknown	115mm
Materials	Unknown	Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	Yes	No
Filter Thread	82mm	77mm
Filter Notes	-	Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	HB-50
Tripod Collar	Yes	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
	Report a Correction	Report a Correction

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