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Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR

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Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (FX)

Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
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Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR

Telephoto Zoom | Nikon F (FX)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR
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Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD vs Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD and Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Tamron and Nikon.

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.

Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD Key Specs

  • 200-500mm Focal Range
  • F5.0 - F6.3 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 1237g.
  • Diameter: 94mm
  • Length: 227mm
  • Min Focus Distance:2.5m

Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR Key Specs

  • 200-400mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format:
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 3275g.
  • Diameter: 124mm
  • Length: 358mm
  • Min Focus Distance:2m

Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR was replaced by Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II vs
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II vs

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR is the longer of the two lenses at 358mm. The Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD with a length of 227mm is 131mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR also has a larger diameter of 124mm compared to Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD's 94mm 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. Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD weighs 1237g, which means it is 2038g (164%) lighter than the Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR which has a weight of 3275g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (FX) Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
544mm
157mm 5880g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G Lens Nikon 70-300mm f4-5.6G
117mm
74mm 425g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR Lens Nikon 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR
171mm
91mm 1340g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR
144mm
80mm 745g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC
258mm
106mm 1951g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II Lens Nikon 70-200mm f2.8G ED VR II
209mm
87mm 1540g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
290mm
121mm 2860g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG
122mm
77mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD and Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR has the same Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (FX) lenses are Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500.

Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD is also available in Canon EF and Sony Alpha mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD has a focal range of 200-500mm and 2.5X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 300 - 750mm.
Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR has a focal range of 200-400mm and 2.0X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 300 - 600mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR

Focal Length - Tele 500mm vs 400mm 100mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 2.50x vs 2.00x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 1237g vs 3275g 2038g lighter
Diameter 94mm vs 124mm 30mm smaller in diameter
Length 227mm vs 358mm 131mm shorter
Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR over Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide 4 vs 5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 4 vs 6.3 Wider aperture at tele end
Internal Zoom Yes vs No Length of the lens doesn't change during zooming
Filter Thread 52mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 2m vs 2.5m can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD vs Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Tamron 200-500mm f5-6.3 LD Nikon 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR
Brand Tamron Nikon
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX) Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 200-500mm 200-400mm
Image Stabilization No Yes
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock Yes -
Zoom Ratio 2.5X 2.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F5.0 - F6.3 F4.0
Min Aperture F32.0 F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 13 24
Optical Groups 10 17
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 2.5m 2m
Max Magnification unknown unknown
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Unknown Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Unknown Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 1237g 3275g
Diameter 94mm 124mm
Length 227mm 358mm
Materials Unknown metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown Yes
Filter Thread 86mm 52mm
Filter Notes - Screw in rear attachment filter
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown HK-30
Tripod Collar Yes Yes
Optional Accessories - Lens Case CL-L2
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