Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR Review
Focal Length 500mm
Max Aperture f/5.6
Mount Nikon F
Stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed No
Weight 1456 g
AF Type Autofocus
Lens Type Zoom
53 Overall Score
Overview
Performance
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (95th percentile) 97th
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile) 95th
Cons
- Below average build (12th percentile) 11th
- Below average aperture (16th percentile) 16th
- Below average bokeh (22th percentile) 21th
- Below average macro (35th percentile)
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 19 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal, Fluorine & Super Integrated Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Min Aperture | f/32 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 1.5 kg / 3.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 3000 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.55 |
Value & Pricing
Mar 22, 2026 CA$4,113
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox Air VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Canon RF Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 55mm | 35mm | 17-70mm | 24mm | - |
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M | Canon RF | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1456 | 281 | 400 | 544 | 272 | 320 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | - | Wide-Angle Zoom | Wide-Angle | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR | 46.4 | 21.2 | 11.1 | 44.5 | 96.7 | 15.9 | 37.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 81.1 | 89.1 | 67.5 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 89.9 | 87.8 |
| Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Compare | 95.6 | 73.6 | 63.4 | 93.2 | 74 | 80.5 | 37.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD Compare | 46.4 | 59.2 | 64.3 | 77.4 | 90.8 | 54.6 | 92.5 | 95.1 | 87.8 |
| Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Compare | 46.4 | 81.8 | 87.6 | 81 | 82.5 | 75.8 | 37.5 | 98 | 99.9 |
| Fujifilm VILTROX 56mm F1.4 STM APS-C Frame Auto Focus Standard Prime Compare | 95.6 | 81.8 | 88.8 | 85.3 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 37.5 | 86.7 | 87.8 |