Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR

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Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (DX)

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Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (FX)

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Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G vs Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G and Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR, two Telephoto Zoom lenses by Nikon. Both cameras have the same focal range of 70-300mm but different max apertures: Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G has a max aperture of F4.5 while the Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR has a max aperture of F4.5 - 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.

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G Key Specs

70-300mm Focal Range

F4.5 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 58mm

Max Format: APS-C / DX

Nikon F (DX) Mount

Weight: 400g.

Diameter: 72mm

Length: 125mm

Min Focus Distance:1.1m

Max Magnification:0.22x

Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR Key Specs

70-300mm Focal Range

F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture

Image Stabilization

Filter Thread: 67mm

Max Format:

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 745g.

Diameter: 80mm

Length: 144mm

Min Focus Distance:1.5m

Max Magnification:0.25x

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR is the longer of the two lenses at 144mm. The Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G with a length of 125mm is 19mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR also has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G's 72mm diameter.

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 AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G weighs 400g, which means it is 345g (86%) lighter than the Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR which has a weight of 745g.

Lens Mounts

Both Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount whereas the Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR

Max Aperture - Tele	4.5 vs 5.6	Wider aperture at tele end
Weight	400g vs 745g	345g lighter
Diameter	72mm vs 80mm	8mm smaller in diameter
Length	125mm vs 144mm	19mm shorter
Filter Thread	58mm vs 67mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance	1.1m vs 1.5m	can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR over Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G

Image Stabilization	Yes vs No	Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs 7	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Distance Scale	Yes vs No	Distance Scale to assist focusing
Max Sensor Coverage	35mm FF vs APS-C / DX	covers larger sensors
Max Magnification	0.25x vs 0.22x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR

Internal Focusing	Yes vs Yes	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing

Common Weaknesses of Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR

Internal Zoom	No vs No	Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

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Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G vs Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm F4.5-6.3G	Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR
Brand	Nikon	Nikon
Lens Type	Zoom	Zoom
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Zoom	Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount	Nikon F (DX)	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	APS-C / DX	35mm FF
Focal Range	70-300mm	70-300mm
Image Stabilization		Yes
Colour	Black	Unknown
Zoom Method	Rotary (extending)	Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	4.3X	4.3X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F4.5	F4.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture	F32	F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	7	9
Optics
Optical Elements	14	17
Optical Groups	10	12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	1.1m	1.5m
Max Magnification	0.22X	0.25X
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Stepper motor	Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual	Yes	Yes
Focus Method	Internal	Internal
Distance Scale	No	Yes
DoF Scale	No	No
Distance Scale	No	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	400g	745g
Diameter	72mm	80mm
Length	125mm	144mm
Materials	Unknown	Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	No	No
Filter Thread	58mm	67mm
Filter Notes	-	Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	Unknown	HB-36
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
	Report a Correction	Report a Correction

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