The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 and the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR is the longer of the two lenses at 203mm. The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 with a length of 151mm, is 52mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR also has a larger diameter of 89mm compared to the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8's 84mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 weighs 795g, which means it is 635g (44%) lighter than the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR which has a weight of 1430g.
Filter Threads
The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a filter size of 67mm whereas the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR has a 77mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 67mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8:
And these are the 77mm filters that we recommend for the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR:
Lens Mounts
The Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has the Nikon Z lens mount whereas the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon ZR, Nikon Z5 II and RED Komodo-X 6K Z for the Nikon Z Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.
Focal Range
Nikon Z 70-180mm F2.8 has a focal range of 70-180mm and
2.6X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
105 - 270mm.
On the other hand, the Nikon AF-S 70-200mm F2.8E FL ED VR has a focal range of 70-200mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 300mm.
