§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II vs Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Tamron 70–180mm f/2.8 is 143 g lighter.

The Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II is a 70–200mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is a 70–180mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II better than the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2?

  • Longer reach (200mm vs 180mm)
  • More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
  • Newer design (2026 vs 2023)

Why is the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 better than the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II?

  • 143 g lighter (855 g vs 998 g)
  • 52 mm shorter (156.5 mm vs 208 mm long)
  • Focuses 8 cm closer (0.3 m vs 0.38 m)
  • Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)
  • $2,101 cheaper ($1,099 list price vs $3,199.95 list price)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has the edge: it is 143 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S IITamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Focal length70–200mm 70–180mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatFull frame Full frame
Weight998 g 855 g ◆
Dimensions208 x 90 mm 156.5 x 83 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.38 m 0.3 m ◆
Image stabilizationYes Yes
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades11 ◆9
Optical construction18 elements / 16 groups 20 elements / 15 groups
Filter size77 mm 67 mm ◆
Lens mountNikon Z Sony E, Nikon Z
Released2026 2023
Price$3,199.95 list price $1,099 list price ◆
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Tamron
  • 208 × 90 mm
  • 156.5 × 83 mm

The Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II is 52 mm longer and 143 g heavier than the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II

Crow in flight.
Crow in flight. by MaWes Photography
Leet Township War Memorial Dedication Ceremony
Leet Township War Memorial Dedication Ceremony by Scott Michaels
Boeing 777X-9 test flight
Boeing 777X-9 test flight by chuck.taylor
Puget Sound, Seattle
Puget Sound, Seattle by chuck.taylor

Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Summer reflection
Summer reflection by jukilauk
The first look
The first look by icanhascamera
Golden Jackal
Golden Jackal by icanhascamera
La firma del atardecer
La firma del atardecer by Guillermo Relaño
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II review 2
Video thumbnail for Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 review 1
Video thumbnail for Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II or the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2?
The Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 weighs 855 g, 143 g less than the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II (998 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II or the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2?
The Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.38 m for the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II.
Do the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II and the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 have image stabilization?
Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
Is the Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 mm f/2.8 VR S II or the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Tamron 70-180 mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has the edge: it is 143 g lighter to carry.