Nikon 180-400mm f/4E vs. 200-500mm f/5.6E lens specifications comparison





A quick specifications comparison between the new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens that just started shipping and the significantly cheaper and very popular AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR:

Nikkor 180-400mm f/4E Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E
Type
F mount Type E AF-S lens with built-in CPU and built-in 1.4x teleconverter F mount, Type E AF‒S lens with built‒in CPU and F mount
Format
FX/35mm FX/35mm
Focal length
Without built-in teleconverter: 180 – 400 mm With built-in teleconverter: 252 – 560 mm >200 – 500 mm
Maximum aperture
Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 4 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 5.6 f/ 5.6
Minimum aperture
Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 32 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 45 f/ 32
Lens construction
27 elements in 19 groups (including 8 ED lens elements, 1 fluorite element, and lens elements with Nano-Crystal coatings) and 1 protective glass element (with fluorine coating); built-in teleconverter has 8 elements in 5 groups 19 elements in 12 groups (including 3 ED elements)
Angle of view
Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras, without built-in teleconverter: 13° 40‘ to 6° 10‘ Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras, with built-in teleconverter: 9° 50‘ to 4° 30‘ Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras, without built-in teleconverter: 9° to 4° Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras, with built-in teleconverter: 6° 20‘ to 2° 50‘ Nikon FX‒format D‒SLR cameras: 12° 20′ to 5° 00′, Nikon DX‒format D‒SLR cameras: 8° 00′ to 3° 10′
Focal length scale
Graduated in millimeters (180, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400) Graduated in millimeters (200, 300, 400, 500)
Minimum focus distance
2.0 m ( 6.6 ft) from focal plane at all zoom positions 2.2 m ( 7.22 ft) from focal plane
VR image stabilization
Yes Yes
No. of diaphragm blades
9 ( rounded diaphragm opening ) 9 ( rounded diaphragm opening )
Coating
Nano Crystal Coat, Fluorine coat
Diaphragm
Automatic electronic aperture control Automatic electronic aperture control
Dimensions
Approx. 128 mm maximum diameter x 362.5 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange) Approx. 108 mm maximum diameter x 267.5 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange)
Weight
Approx. 3500 g ( 7 lb 11.4 oz) Approx. 2300 g (5 lb 1.2 oz), including tripod collar; Approx. 2090 g (4 lb 9.8 oz) without tripod collar
Autofocus
Yes Yes
AF-S
Yes Yes
Internal focusing
Yes Yes
Focusing
Manual, Manual/Auto, Auto/Manual Nikon Internal Focusing (IF) System with autofocus controlled by Silent Wave Motor and separate focus ring for manual focus
Focus limit switch
Two positions: FULL (∞ to 2.0 m) and ∞ to 6.0 m FULL, ∞ to 6 m
Focus distance indicator
2.0 m to ∞ Yes
Zoom
Manual zoom using independent zoom ring Manual zoom using independent zoom ring
Supplied accessories
LC-K103 slip-on Front Lens Cap, LF-4 Rear Lens Cap, HK-41 Lens Hood, Dedicated slip-in Filter Holder, 40.5 mm screw-on Neutral Color (NC) filter, LN-2 Strap, CL-L2 Lens Case Dedicated accessories are not available for general purchase. Contact a Nikon-authorized service representative for spares or replacements. 95 mm snap‒on Front Lens Cap LC‒95, Rear Lens Cap LF‒4, Bayonet Hood HB‒71, Lens Case CL‒1434
Filter-attachment size
95 mm (P = 1.0 mm)
 Price
$12,396.95 $1,396.95

The information in this table is taken from Nikon’s official website.

Another quick specs comparison including the 200-400mm lens can be found here.