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Choose more telephoto reach or a wider starting view and lighter lens

Choose the 28-400mm if your subjects regularly call for framing out to 400mm and you can accommodate its listed 725g mass and 77mm filter size. Choose the 24-200mm if starting at 24mm, stopping at 200mm, and its listed 570g mass and 67mm filters better fit your shooting and carry setup. Both lenses have variable maximum apertures; their endpoint ratings are not a same-focal-length test.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-02

Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC

Products compared

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The buying question

Do you want the 28-400mm range despite a 28mm wide end and higher listed lens mass, or the 24-200mm range with 24mm at the wide end and a lower listed mass? Which filter diameter matches your kit?

The 28-400mm reaches twice as far at the telephoto end but starts at 28mm and lists 725g/77mm filters. The 24-200mm starts at 24mm, reaches 200mm and lists 570g/67mm filters. Both have variable maximum apertures across their respective ranges.

Quick verdict

When to skip: You need both 24mm coverage and reach to 400mm from one lens; neither model covers both endpoints. Your camera does not use the Nikon Z mount; both are Nikon Z-mount lenses.
When the recommendation changes
  • Map typical subjects to focal lengths before choosing: the 28-400mm starts at 28mm; the 24-200mm starts at 24mm.
  • Both maximum-aperture ranges vary with zoom. Nikon lists f/4 at each lens's wide endpoint, then f/8 at 400mm for A and f/6.3 at 200mm for B; these different endpoints do not show which lens exposes better at an identical focal length.
  • Check the filter size printed on your filters: 77mm for A and 67mm for B. Rings/adapters and hood arrangements may affect your existing setup.
  • Compare the lens-only mass with your camera body and other carried equipment; these figures do not predict comfort or packed kit fit.

The differences that matter

Focal Coverage And Framing

NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (Nikon USA model 20125)

Nikon USA model 20125 is a Nikon Z-mount FX lens covering 28–400mm, with a maximum aperture range of f/4–8. Nikon's guide lists f/4 at 28mm and f/8 at 400mm.[1, 2, 3]

NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092)

Nikon USA model 20092 is a Nikon Z-mount FX lens covering 24–200mm, with a maximum aperture range of f/4–6.3. Nikon's lens guide lists f/4 at 24mm and f/6.3 at 200mm.[4, 5, 6]

What this changes: A extends telephoto framing to 400mm but begins at 28mm; B starts at 24mm and reaches 200mm. The aperture ranges vary across each zoom, and the endpoint figures are at different focal lengths, so they do not establish an exposure or image-quality winner at a shared focal length.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Aperture And Carry Setup

NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (Nikon USA model 20125)

Nikon lists the 28–400mm at approximately 725g and specifies 77mm filters.[1, 2, 3]

NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092)

Nikon lists the 24–200mm at approximately 570g and specifies 67mm filters.[4, 5, 6]

What this changes: The published lens-only masses and different filter diameters can help a buyer balance carry weight and existing filter compatibility. The listed 155g mass difference is arithmetic from Nikon's specifications; it is not a whole-kit carry or comfort test. Filter diameter should be checked against the buyer's current filter kit.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

Frame subjects through 400mm without changing this lens

Best fit: NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (Nikon USA model 20125)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Nikon lists 28–400mm for A and 24–200mm for B. Choose based on whether your intended framing needs focal lengths beyond 200mm.

View NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (Nikon USA model 20125) on AmazonPaid link

Start at 24mm and keep the lens-only mass lower

Best fit: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Nikon lists 24mm at B's wide end and 570g versus A's 28mm wide end and 725g. This is a feature fit based on published specifications, not a handling test.

View NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092) on AmazonPaid link

Reuse existing 67mm screw-in filters directly

Best fit: NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Nikon lists 67mm for B and 77mm for A. Verify the size marking on the filter before assuming direct fit.

View NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (Nikon USA model 20092) on AmazonPaid link

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

Compare current exact offers at checkout. A higher offer would need to fit your choice of 400mm reach versus a wider starting focal length, lens-only mass, and filter compatibility; these sources do not establish value or lifetime cost.

No price-history data was examined, so this comparison does not identify a usual price or purchase timing.

Limitations

  • This comparison organizes Nikon-published specifications; Pickoryx did not conduct hands-on tests or independently measure sharpness, distortion, flare, autofocus, VR, handling, or image quality.
  • The listed masses are lens-only. A camera body, hood, caps, filters and bag geometry change the total kit mass and fit.
  • The 28-400mm manual and Nikon's specifications list dimensions from the mount flange to the end of the lens; this comparison does not use a packed or extended length as a bag-fit claim.
  • Both lenses use variable maximum apertures. Their f/8 and f/6.3 telephoto-end values occur at different maximum focal lengths and do not establish a same-focal-length low-light advantage.
  • Prices and package contents may change. Confirm the exact Nikon model and included accessories at checkout.

Questions shoppers ask

Does the 28-400mm start as wide as the 24-200mm?

No. Nikon lists 28mm at the wide end of the 28-400mm and 24mm at the wide end of the 24-200mm. Decide whether those four millimeters at the wide end matter for your usual scenes; no field-of-view test is included here.

Is the 28-400mm f/8 at every focal length?

No. It has a variable maximum aperture: Nikon's lens manual lists f/4 at 28mm and f/8 at 400mm. The 24-200mm is also variable, with f/4 at 24mm and f/6.3 at 200mm. The endpoints are at different focal lengths, so they should not be read as a direct exposure comparison at the same zoom setting.

Can I reuse the same screw-in filter on both lenses?

The listed filter attachment sizes differ: 77mm for the 28-400mm and 67mm for the 24-200mm. Check your filter's diameter; this comparison does not assess step-up rings or hood clearance.

Methodology and sources

The exact Nikon USA and Nikon global product pages, plus Nikon's lens manuals for variable-aperture endpoints, were checked. Recommendations follow their published focal ranges, maximum-aperture ranges, lens-only mass and filter diameters. No optical, autofocus, VR, or real-world handling winner was measured. AI assistance helped organize the research and draft this comparison; product claims were checked against the cited Nikon documentation.

A language model assisted with organizing Nikon's published specifications and drafting this comparison. Pickoryx did not conduct hands-on testing.

View 6 sources
  1. 1.NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Lens | Telephoto Lens for Nikon MirrorlessNikon Imaging USA · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Exact Nikon USA product route /20125; Tech Specs and Specifications sections for mount, FX format, focal range, maximum aperture, weight and filter size.: Nikon USA model 20125 identifies the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, Z mount, FX format; lists 28–400mm, maximum aperture f/4–8, VR, 725g and 77mm filter size. The comparison does not use the page's performance marketing as test evidence.
  2. 2.NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Z mount LensesNikon Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Exact-model title and Specifications, lines 47 and 73–86 in the opened page.: Nikon's exact-model page lists 28–400mm, variable maximum aperture f/4–8, 77mm filter-attachment size and approx. 725g. It also reports approx. 84.5 × 141.5mm dimensions, measured from the camera lens mount flange to the end of the lens.
  3. 3.NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Reference GuideNikon Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Specifications pp. 24–25, lines 245–281 in the opened English guide: Z mount; aperture range at 28mm and 400mm; 77mm filters; 725g.: Nikon's exact-lens reference guide specifies maximum aperture f/4 at 28mm and f/8 at 400mm, 77mm filters, Nikon Z mount and approx. 725g. Supports endpoints and accessory fit only; no measurement comparison.
  4. 4.NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR Zoom Lens | Mirrorless LensNikon Imaging USA · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Exact Nikon USA model route /20092; Tech Specs and Specifications sections for Z mount, FX format, range, aperture, VR, 570g and filter interface.: Nikon USA model 20092 identifies the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR; lists 24–200mm, maximum aperture f/4 at wide end, FX format, Nikon Z mount, 570g, VR and 67mm screw-in filter size.
  5. 5.NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR | Z mount LensesNikon Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Exact-model title and Specifications lines 47 and 83–96 in the opened page.: Nikon's exact-model page lists 24–200mm, maximum-aperture range f/4–6.3, 67mm filter diameter and approx. 570g. It also reports approx. 76.5 × 114mm dimensions, with length measured from the camera lens mount flange.
  6. 6.NIKKOR Z 24–200mm f/4–6.3 VR Lens ManualNikon Corporation · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-02 12:31 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Dedicated 24–200 lens manual section; Specifications lines 393–400 give aperture range at 24mm and 200mm, 67mm filter size and approx. 570g.: The online lens-manual section for the NIKKOR Z 24–200mm f/4–6.3 VR specifies f/4 at 24mm and f/6.3 at 200mm, 67mm filters and approx. 570g. Supports those exact lens facts, not camera-body compatibility beyond Nikon Z mount.

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