Digital Camera World - UK (2021-03)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com MARCH 2021 DIGITAL CAMERA^129

ikon’s latest 70-200mm
f/2.8 lens for DSLRs has
an excellent reputation for
premium performance.
Compared with the previous edition,
it has an uprated optical design that
features a fluorite glass element, six
ED elements, one HRI element and
the bonus of Nano Crystal Coat.
The revised dual-mode VR system
has automatic panning detection plus
a Sport mode that doesn’t interfere
with the viewfinder image and avoids
a slowdown in continuous shooting.
A dual-mode autofocus system
gives priority to either automatic
focusing or manual override.

Performance
Sharpness and contrast are excellent,
throughout the zoom range, but the
Sigma Sports lens goes toe to toe with
the Nikkor for sharpness in real-world
shooting, while matching other aspects
of image quality and autofocus speed.

his Z-mount 70-200mm

zoom has a stellar optical

design that includes two

aspherical elements, six

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements,

a fluorite element and an SR (Short-

wavelength Refractive) element.

Dual coatings include both Arneo

and Nano Crystal Coat.

The lens isn’t just a feast of fine

glass. Autofocus is incredibly rapid

yet virtually silent, based on two

synchronized stepping motors. There’s

highly effective five-stop optical VR,

based on voice coil motors. Trick

features include an OLED display for

viewing various shooting parameters.

Performance

It’s simply the sharpest lens in the

entire group, by quite a margin, not

only in the central region of the frame

but right into the edges and corners.

Vignetting is minimal and there’s

excellent resistance to ghosting.

NT

Nikkor

AF-S 70-200mm

f/2.8E FL ED VR

£1,999/$2,347

The latest own-brand option

Lens mount Nikon F

Sharpness

In the lab and in real-world

shooting, the Nikkor delivers

superb sharpness.

Sharpness

There’s incredible sharpness

on tap, throughout the whole

zoom range.

Fringing

Short 2.15 Long 1.12

It’s worse than average at

70mm, but good at 200mm.

Fringing

Short 0.8 Long 0.74

Colour fringing is entirely

negligible at all focal lengths.

Distortion

Short 0.05 Long 1.92

There’s basically no

distortion at 70mm.

Distortion

Short -0.09 Long 0.05

Stellar results, aided by

in-camera corrections.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

4.5 Outstanding 5.0 A best-in-class product

4.5 5.0

Features Features

4.5 5.0

Performance Performance

4.0 4.0

Value Value

4.5 5.0

Build &

handling

Build &

handling

This Nikon Z-mount

lens is destined to

become a classic.

Impeccable handling

combines with

superlative

performance to make

it highly desirable.

Money no object, it’s a
winning lens for Nikon
DSLRs, with rock-solid
build quality, advanced
features and excellent
performance, but the
Sigma Sports is much
less expensive to buy.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

BEST FOR

NIKON Z

70-200mm f/2.8 zooms Group Test

GOLD

AWARD

Nikkor

Z 70-200mm

f/2.8 VR S

£2,399/$2,597

It outshines its F-mount counterpart

Lens mount Nikon Z