CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
    • Cinema Lenses
      • Sony E Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Cine Lenses
      • ARRI PL Mount Cine Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cine Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cine Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Cine Lenses
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Review

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR

Main Features

  • 200-500mm Focal Range
  • F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 95mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Nikon F (FX) Mount
  • Weight: 2300g.
  • Diameter: 108mm
  • Length: 268mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 2.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.22x
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Compare To
x
Add a Camera for comparison

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Overview


Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with F(FX) Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeVery Good
SportsVery Good
PortraitFair
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingFair
Walk AroundFair
VloggingPoor
LandscapeFair
MacroFair

Reasons to Buy Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Compatible with Nikon Teleconverters
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Constant f5.6 aperture throughout the range
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades
500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
Report a correction

Buy Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Heavy
Pricey


Lens Mount

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is compatible with cameras that have a 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.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a maximum diameter of 108mm and total length of 268mm when not extended. It weighs 2300g / 81.1 oz.

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a filter thread of 95mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR:

  • 95mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 95mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 95mm Clear Protection Lens Filters



Focal Range

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR 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.

Teleconverter Compatibility

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is compatible with the Teleconverters below. With the use of these TC/extenders, you can find how the total focal reach and effective aperture of your Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR changes below:


Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Focal Range and Aperture Change with Teleconverter
Model Coverage with TC Aperture with TC Street Price
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III 400 - 1000mm F11.2 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II 340 - 850mm F9.52 Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III Lens Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 280 - 700mm F7.84 Amazon B&H Photo

Optical Image Stabilization

The Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 268mm and a weight of 2300g, the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.

Zoom Method

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Zoom Lock

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.22x and has a minimum focusing distance of 2.2m.

Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Zoom type Nikon F mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 VC: 0.34x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 II VC PZD: 0.34x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 18-300 F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM: 0.33x - (Compare)

Aperture

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f5.6 from 200mm all the way to the 500mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
200mm F5.6 F32
500mm F5.6 F32

Optical Formula

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR's optical formula consists of 19 elements in 12 groups . Special elements used in this design is 3 ED elements.

Lens Hood

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S Lens Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S
Compare
35mm FF 1355gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Compare
35mm FF 2010gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
Compare
35mm FF 1930gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR Lens Nikon AF Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 1340gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Compare
35mm FF 2115gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF Lens Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
Compare
35mm FF 1237gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
Compare
35mm FF 1930gr AF 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
Compare
35mm FF 2860gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Related Blog Posts

Nikon Z-mount Lens Roadmap June 2023 Update
All Sony FE Mount 50mm Lens Options Sizes and Specs: 10 Lenses Compared
Canon EOS R7 Size with 33 different Canon RF Lenses Attached: Most Compact to Largest
Firmware Updates for Canon EOS R6 II, R7 and R6 Released
Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f1.7 Lens Announced
Fujifilm XF 8mm F3.5 WR vs XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR vs XF 10-24mm F4 R WR Size And Feature Comparison
Best MacBook Pro Deal for Photography and Videography
Sony A7R V, Panasonic S5 II, Canon R50 and OM 90mm Macro wins Camera GP Japan 2023 Awards


**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.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Alternatives in Nikon F (FX) Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED VR II
Compare
35mm FF 3360gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f4G ED-IF VR
Compare
35mm FF 3275gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 3500gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF Lens Tamron SP AF 200-500mm F5-6.3 Di LD IF
Compare
35mm FF 1237gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG Lens Sigma 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG
Compare
35mm FF 15700gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Nikon 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Nikon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (FX)
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 200-500mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 2.5X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 19
Optical Groups 12
Special Elements 3 ED elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 2.2m
Max Magnification 0.22X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 2300g
Diameter 108mm
Length 268mm
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 95mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
is the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR have Image Stabilization?
Does Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR


FOLLOW US


Latest Nikon F (FX) Lenses
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
Nikon F (FX) | F5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Samyang 135mm F2.0 ED UMC
Samyang 135mm F2.0 ED UMC
Nikon F (FX) | F2 Telephoto Prime
Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
Samyang 100mm F2.8 Macro
Nikon F (FX) | F2.8 Telephoto Macro
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
Nikon F (FX) | F1.4 Standard Prime
Zeiss Otus 28mm F1.4
Zeiss Otus 28mm F1.4
Nikon F (FX) | F1.4 Wideangle Prime
Irix 11mm F4
Irix 11mm F4
Nikon F (FX) | F4 Wideangle Prime
Tokina atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF Macro
Tokina atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF Macro
Nikon F (FX) | F2.8 Telephoto Macro
Irix 45mm F1.4
Irix 45mm F1.4
Nikon F (FX) | F1.4 Standard Prime
Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 Mk2
Samyang MF 14mm F2.8 Mk2
Nikon F (FX) | F2.8 Wideangle Prime
Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2
Samyang MF 85mm F1.4 Mk2
Nikon F (FX) | F1.4 Telephoto Prime
Latest Compatible Cameras
Nikon D6
Nikon D6
21 MP | Full frame CMOS
Nikon D780
Nikon D780
25 MP | Full frame BSI-CMOS
Nikon D3500
Nikon D3500
24 MP | APS-C CMOS
Nikon D850
Nikon D850
46 MP | Full frame BSI-CMOS
Nikon D7500
Nikon D7500
21 MP | APS-C CMOS
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision LaptopDecision

Report a Correction