Nikon Nikkor
VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
70-300mm f/4-5.6G

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Image stabilization Nikon VR vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Better telephoto 400 mm vs 300 mm
Help
 More than 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Slightly more zoom 5x vs 4.3x
Help
 Around 20% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Learn more about
the Nikon VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Reasons to consider the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Lighter 467 g vs 1.3 kg
Help
 2.8x lighter
Shorter 117 mm vs 170 mm
Help
 More than 30% shorter
Cheaper $149.95 vs $1,499.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $1,349 cheaper (10x less)
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Slightly more magnification 1:4 (0.2x) vs 1:4.8 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 20% larger in your photo
Slightly smaller diameter 74 mm vs 91 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller lens at the end
Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Learn more about
the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Wide maximum Wide aperture Help
f/32
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED:400 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:300 mm
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED:f/4.5
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:f/4
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED:80 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:70 mm

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$587
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,019
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Sports lens

$999
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Fixed aperture Has a fixed aperture
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Sports lens

$2,397
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$949
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Length Is longer
Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

$1,047
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,509
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Significantly more zoom
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Wildlife lens

$1,798
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,699
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$224 - $247
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$159
Magnification More magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

discussion Which do you think is better?

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