AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VRvs 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR (2012) Starting from £849 new Best for Wildlife, sports & portrait telephoto View AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
VS
Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (2020) Starting from £749 new Best for Wildlife & sports photography on a budget View 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Wildlife, Sports & Portrait Telephoto — AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR (2012): The sensible telephoto choice for Nikon DSLR shooters — weather-sealed, VR-equipped, and optically superb at a fraction of the f/2.8 price.

Wildlife & Sports Photography On A Budget — 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (2020): The best-value telephoto zoom for Sony FE — 400mm reach, OS, and weather sealing for under £800. Punches well above its price at every focal length.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: The 100-400mm f/5-6.3 dg dn os contemporary is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR (2012)100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (2020)
Price £849 £749
Sensor f/4 (constant max aperture) f/5-6.3 (variable max aperture)
Video 100cm minimum focus distance 160cm minimum focus distance
Autofocus Silent Wave Motor (SWM) — fast and quiet with full-time manual override HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) — fast and near-silent for a telephoto zoom
Stabilisation 4-stop VR (Vibration Reduction) 4-stop OS (Optical Stabiliser)
Burst Rate N/A N/A
Battery Life N/A N/A
Weight 850g 1140g
Dimensions 78mm diameter × 178.5mm length 86.4mm diameter × 199.2mm length
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder N/A N/A
Screen N/A N/A
Mount Nikon F-mount (FX / DX) Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards N/A N/A
Connectivity N/A N/A

Suitability by genre

Genre AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
Wildlife
9.0
9.0
Portrait
9.0
—
Sports & Action
7.0
7.0
Landscape —
7.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR prices → 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary prices →

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