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Guide

Nikon Z 180-600 Vs 500 Pf

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • 3 VR S is a versatile telephoto zoom lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths, making it suitable for a variety of shooting situations.
  • 6 PF VR S is a compact super-telephoto lens that offers impressive reach and image quality in a relatively small and lightweight package.
  • If you’re looking for a versatile lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths and is suitable for a variety of shooting situations, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.

Are you a wildlife or sports photographer looking for the perfect telephoto lens for your Nikon Z camera? If so, you’ve probably come across the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S and the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S lenses. Both lenses offer impressive reach and image quality, but they have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Nikon Z 180-600mm vs 500mm PF lenses in detail to help you decide which one is right for your needs.

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S: The Versatile All-Rounder

The Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S is a versatile telephoto zoom lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths, making it suitable for a variety of shooting situations. Whether you’re photographing wildlife, sports, or landscapes, the 180-600mm lens can handle it all.

Pros:

  • Versatile focal length range: The 180-600mm range provides a lot of flexibility, allowing you to capture both wide and telephoto shots without having to change lenses.
  • Excellent image quality: The lens produces sharp, detailed images with accurate colors and minimal distortion.
  • Fast and accurate autofocus: The lens features Nikon’s Dual-detect Multi-CAM autofocus system, which provides fast and accurate focusing even in low-light conditions.
  • Built-in image stabilization: The lens has built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharp images even at slow shutter speeds.
  • Weather-resistant construction: The lens is weather-sealed to protect it from dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

Cons:

  • Large and heavy: The 180-600mm lens is quite large and heavy, which can make it difficult to carry around for long periods of time.
  • Variable aperture: The lens has a variable aperture of f/5.6-6.3, which means that the maximum aperture changes as you zoom in. This can be limiting in low-light situations.

Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S: The Compact Super-Telephoto

The Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S is a compact super-telephoto lens that offers impressive reach and image quality in a relatively small and lightweight package. This lens is ideal for wildlife and sports photographers who need a lens that can capture distant subjects with clarity and detail.

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight: The 500mm PF lens is significantly smaller and lighter than the 180-600mm lens, making it easier to carry around and use for extended periods of time.
  • Fixed aperture: The 500mm PF lens has a fixed aperture of f/5.6, which provides consistent light-gathering capabilities throughout the entire zoom range. This makes it a good choice for low-light photography.
  • Excellent image quality: The lens produces sharp, detailed images with accurate colors and minimal distortion.
  • Fast and accurate autofocus: The lens features Nikon’s Dual-detect Multi-CAM autofocus system, which provides fast and accurate focusing even in low-light conditions.
  • Built-in image stabilization: The lens has built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce sharp images even at slow shutter speeds.

Cons:

  • Limited focal length range: The 500mm focal length is fixed, which means that you can’t zoom in or out to change the composition of your shots.
  • Pricey: The 500mm PF lens is significantly more expensive than the 180-600mm lens.

Which Lens is Right for You?

The Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S and the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S lenses are both excellent choices for wildlife and sports photographers. However, the best lens for you will depend on your specific needs and shooting style.

If you’re looking for a versatile lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths and is suitable for a variety of shooting situations, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S is a great option. If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight super-telephoto lens that offers excellent image quality and low-light performance, the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S is a good choice.

Price and Availability

The Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S lens is available for $2,199, while the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S lens is available for $3,999. Both lenses are available from Nikon authorized retailers.

Sample Images

To see sample images taken with the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S and the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S lenses, please visit the following links:

  • Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S sample images: [link]
  • Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S sample images: [link]

Recommendations: Making the Right Choice

The Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR S and the Nikon Z 500mm f/5.6 PF VR S lenses are both excellent choices for wildlife and sports photographers. The best lens for you will depend on your specific needs and shooting style. If you’re looking for a versatile lens that offers a wide range of focal lengths, the 180-600mm lens is a good option. If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight super-telephoto lens, the 500mm PF lens is a good choice.

What You Need to Know

Q1. Which lens is sharper, the Nikon Z 180-600mm or the Nikon Z 500mm PF?

A1. Both lenses produce sharp images, but the 500mm PF lens has a slight edge in terms of sharpness, especially at the telephoto end.

Q2. Which lens is better for low-light photography, the Nikon Z 180-600mm or the Nikon Z 500mm PF?

A2. The Nikon Z 500mm PF lens is better for low-light photography because it has a fixed aperture of f/5.6, which provides consistent light-gathering capabilities throughout the entire zoom range. The 180-600mm lens has a variable aperture of f/5.6-6.3, which means that the maximum aperture changes as you zoom in.

Q3. Which lens is better for wildlife photography, the Nikon Z 180-600mm or the Nikon Z 500mm PF?

A3. Both lenses are good for wildlife photography, but the 500mm PF lens has a slight edge in terms of reach and image quality. However, the 180-600mm lens offers more versatility with its wider focal length range.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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