Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
Announced January 7, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a high-performance telephoto zoom that delivers exceptional sharpness and fast, reliable autofocus for professional Z-system photographers. While it provides outstanding optical quality and robust weather-sealed construction, it remains a heavy, expensive investment that lacks some expected convenience features like an Arca-Swiss compatible foot.
Weighted from 26 reviewer scores
Pros
- Beautiful bokeh and minimal aberrations
- Fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus performance
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality across the frame
- Robust, weather-sealed build quality
- Effective optical stabilization
Cons
- Heavy and bulky physical design
- High price point
- Gimmicky or unnecessary OLED display
- Lack of Arca-Swiss tripod foot compatibility
- Absence of a dedicated physical VR switch
- Launch price $2,599 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 70-200mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 50 cm (0.2x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 1360g (3 lb) · 89 x 220 mm (3.50 x 8.66 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 26 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Nikkor lens has fantastic overall image quality. From 70mm to 200mm, the lens delivers strong overall performance, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8.
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The Nikon Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S is a well designed telephoto zoom complementing Nikon’s Z 24-70mm f2.8 S and Z 14-24mm f2.8 S to form the trinity of professional zoom lenses with constant f2.8 aperture for Nikon’s Z system.
- OpticalLimits 8.5/10
The Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S produced consistently high resolution results in the lab. The center quality is excellent straight from f/2.8.
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This is certainly the best 70-200mm f/2.8 that Nikon has ever made. If you shoot with the Z System and it fits your needs and budget, I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
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The saying ‘good things come to those who wait’ is appropriate in the case of the Nikkor Z 70-200mm f2.8 VR S.
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[A]s you've seen, the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S offers a great performance in almost every way, if not quite a perfect one.
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You get an impressive list of advantages and a rather short list of flaws – that's what we expect from a flagship journalistic lens. The Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 S VR didn't let us down, performing exceedingly well in almost all of our testing categories, end of the story.
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Whether you’re a wedding photographer, a portrait photographer of any kind, or literally any other type of serious or professional photographer who uses a telephoto lens and needs fast apertures, having a 70-200mm f/2.8 is likely going to be crucial.
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There isn't a real size or weight advantage to the Z-mount version. The OLED display is mostly gimmicky.
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I like the performance of this lens, I like the optical quality of it, I like the functionality of it, and I appreciate how fast it focuses. It's been a pleasure to use.
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The quality is there, so much quality, and basically this is a truly outstanding zoom lens.
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Lenses like the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S might not be the big mass-market sellers of some of the others in Nikon’s arsenal, but they show that the company is taking the Z (mirrorless) line very seriously, and hoping to tempt more professionals into it.
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The lens does what it's supposed to do. It's a 70-200mm; it's the type of thing that every photographer should have in their bag.
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There’s no denying that Nikon’s new Z 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom is a pricey beast.
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Pro photographers using the Nikon Z mirrorless system will be happy with the Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S lens, but will pay a premium for the privilege.
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The weight savings is an advantage and noticeable. The size didn't notice too much, although I would probably shoot it without the foot entirely given the option that this one has.
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For me, the Z mount 70-200 is definitely worthwhile if you're a Z user, especially if you don't have the F-mount 70-200 E already. It's kind of a no-brainer; you basically get the best 70-200 money can buy.
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This is a serious 70-200mm for anyone who demands the best image quality and is willing to pay.
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All camera brands have a fast 70-200mm lens in their line up and all are very good. However, Nikon has been known to produce these with incredible image quality over the years.
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The 70-200mm, I've used a lot of nice lenses in my day as a photographer, but the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is probably the best lens that I have ever used.
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Right now, minimal early testing, this lens is completely meeting expectations.
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[T]he Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is a very impressive lens. The main headline feature here is of course that optical performance.
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This is an extremely popular lens, and for good reason: it's ultrasharp, and the only telephoto zoom native to Nikon's Z cameras. It's big and heavy and expensive, and offers stunning performance, just as every 80-200 or 70-200mm f/2.8 Nikon zoom has always offered.
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I'm just going to give you a nutshell if you want the cliff notes version of this review: damn, this is one hell of a lens.
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It is fantastic in terms of image quality, and I'm going to show you some images in a few minutes, and the bokeh is unbelievable; it literally obliterates backgrounds.
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[...] I'm very happy with this lens and I'm sure it'll be much loved by all photographers.
