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

An affordable and versatile Nikon super-telephoto lens which performs superbly for sports and wildlife photography

Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you're after an own-brand super-tele zoom for your Nikon DSLR, the Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is a high-performing lens which is, at least by Nikon's standards, reasonably priced for the focal range on offer. It's a little disappointing that the lens isn't fully weather sealed, especially as this is an optic designed for sports and wildlife photography, which can take place in all weathers.

Pros

  • +

    Impressive image quality

  • +

    Good autofocus and stabilization

  • +

    Useful focal range

Cons

  • -

    Not fully weather sealed

  • -

    Rival lenses have greater focal range

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If you’re a budding sports or wildlife photographer, a super-telephoto lens is the order of the day. Go for a super-tele zoom and you've also got the flexibility of being able to zoom in so your subject fills the frame, yet still retain the ability to zoom out to more easily track moving action, or take wider shots.

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.