Nikon Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens Review
Focal Length 200-500mm
Max Aperture f/5.6
Mount Nikon F
Stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed No
Weight 2300 g
AF Type Autofocus
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
61.7 Overall Score
Overview
Performance
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (95th percentile) 98th
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile) 95th
Cons
- Below average build (7th percentile) 7th
- Below average aperture (16th percentile) 16th
- Below average bokeh (22th percentile) 22th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 200 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 19 |
| Groups | 12 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Min Aperture | f/32 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 2.3 kg / 5.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 2200 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.55 |
Value & Pricing
Mar 29, 2026 €1,214
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 200-500mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/5.6 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 2300 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto Zoom | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |