DxOMark published the second part of their Best lenses for the Nikon D800 camera series and this time they are covering telephoto lenses:
“The best lens tested is a Nikon model, but it is not the most expensive model. In Overall scores, the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR comes out on top, with a score of 28. With a price of $1399 this makes it not only the top choice, but also a good value for money option – as much as a lens costing over $1000 can be considered value for money.”
| Lens | Price ($) | DxOMark Score |
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | 2699 | 29 |
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR | 1399 | 28 |
| Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED | 1850 | 26 |
| Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO Nikon | 770 | 26 |
| Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM Nikon | 1699 | 25 |
| Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II Nikon | 949 | 25 |
| Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM Nikon | 880 | 23 |
“Of the four lenses, the Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED comes out as the top choice for two reasons – firstly, it has the highest sharpness score of the quartet, managing 12P-Mpix and secondly, because it features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system. With such a long focal range, having VR is a real benefit in achieving sharp shots while handholding and so this lens makes the best choice.”
| Lens | Price ($) | DxOMark Score |
| Nikon AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | 669 | 20 |
| Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED | 196 | 20 |
| Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Nikon | 359 | 19 |
| Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon | 449 | 19 |
Of the four lenses tested by DxOMark, there are two that really stand out. The first is not a true super-zoom in the sense of being an all-in-one lens, but instead offers the longest focal length that will be of interest especially to those shooting sports or wildlife. It is the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM. With a sharpness score of 12P-Mpix, it beats the other lenses and doesn’t really lose out greatly in any other area, hence why it top scores with a DxOMark Overall score of 19.
| Lens | Price ($) | DxOMark Score |
| Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM Nikon | 999 | 19 |
| Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED | 300 | 17 |
| Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | 1050 | 17 |
| Tamron 28-300 F3.5-6.3 XR I A Nikon | 600 | 16 |
