§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR vs Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

Nikon 200–500mm f/5.6 focuses 50 cm closer. Tamron 150–600mm f/5-6.3 has a brighter maximum aperture.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR is a 200–500mm f/5.6 zoom, and the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD is a 150–600mm f/5-6.3 zoom. On paper the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →
01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR better than the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD?

  • Focuses 50 cm closer (2.2 m vs 2.7 m)
  • Newer design (2015 vs 2013)

Why is the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD better than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR?

  • Brighter maximum aperture (f/5-6.3 vs f/5.6)
  • Wider field of view (150mm vs 200mm)
  • Longer reach (600mm vs 500mm)
  • 349 g lighter (1951 g vs 2300 g)
  • 10 mm shorter (258 mm vs 267.5 mm long)
  • Is weather sealed
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • wildlife For wildlife photography, the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has the edge: it reaches 600mm against 500mm.
  • sports For sports photography, the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has the edge: it reaches 600mm against 500mm.
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has the edge: its f/5-6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/5.6.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VRTamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
Focal length200–500mm 150–600mm
Maximum aperturef/5.6 f/5-6.3 ◆
Minimum aperturef/32 f/40
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight2300 g (81.13 oz) 1951 g (68.82 oz) ◆
Dimensions267.5 x 108 mm 106 x 258 mm
Minimum focusing distance2.2 m (86.61 inches) ◆2.7 m (106.30 inches)
Image stabilizationYes Yes
Weather sealingNo Yes ◆
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 9
Optical construction19 elements / 12 groups 20 elements / 13 groups
Filter size95 mm 95 mm
Lens mountNikon F Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A
Released2015 2013
Price$1,399.95 launch price —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Tamron
  • 267.5 × 108 mm
  • 258 × 106 mm

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR is 10 mm longer and 349 g heavier than the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR

DSC_4791
DSC_4791 by jzeeu
College of the Sequoias cheerleaders at halftime of football game - Visalia, Ca.
College of the Sequoias cheerleaders at halftime of football game - Visalia, Ca. by Gmlskis
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow by sambirder06
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo by sambirder06

Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

Airbus A380
Airbus A380 by Rich Lukey
Pirate Ship infront of White Tower in Thessaloniki
Pirate Ship infront of White Tower in Thessaloniki by chris.isak
wetland watchman
wetland watchman by don.white55
little wren
little wren by don.white55
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR review 2
Video thumbnail for Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD review 1
Video thumbnail for Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR or the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD?
The Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD opens to f/5-6.3, against f/5.6 on the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR.
Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR or the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD?
The Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD weighs 1951 g, 349 g less than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR (2300 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR or the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD?
The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR focuses down to 2.2 m, against 2.7 m for the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD.
Do the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR and the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD have image stabilization?
Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR or the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD better for wildlife photography?
For wildlife photography, the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has the edge: it reaches 600mm against 500mm.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 200–500 mm f/5.6E ED VR or the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD better for sports photography?
For sports photography, the Tamron SP 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has the edge: it reaches 600mm against 500mm.
08

Other comparisons