Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR 500mm
The fluorite and ED glass elements in this 500mm f/4 prime deliver sharp chromatic aberration control, paired with vibration reduction that compensates up to 4 stops for handheld stability. The SPORT VR mode specifically steadies erratic subject tracking, and the magnesium-alloy body with fluorine coating withstands harsh field conditions. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need fast Silent Wave Motor autofocus and rugged stabilization to capture distant, fast-moving subjects.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong stabilization (93th percentile) 93th
- Strong user sentiment (92th percentile) 92th
- Strong optical (82th percentile) 82th
Cons
- Below average build (6th percentile)
- Below average macro (22th percentile)
- Below average aperture (25th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (28th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 25 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 500 |
| Focal Length Max | 500 |
| Elements | 16 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 3.1 kg / 6.8 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 41 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 3600 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR 500mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Sony E SELP1650 | Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 16-300mm | 50-200mm | 28-75mm | 16-50mm | 50mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 3090 | 615 | 655 | 550 | 116 | 369 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor | HLA | linear motor | VXD | Stepping motor | STM |
| Lens Type | super-telephoto | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom | Wide-Angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR 500mm | 54.9 | 28.4 | 6.2 | 21.5 | 82.4 | 24.5 | 91.7 | 34.1 | 30.3 | 92.5 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.9 | 84.6 | 58.3 | 85.9 | 98.9 | 77.5 | 0 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 54.9 | 86.4 | 63.2 | 84.8 | 91.2 | 84.1 | 80.8 | 78.5 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 63.6 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
| Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame STM Auto Focus Prime Compare | 86.6 | 96.1 | 62.8 | 95.7 | 38.6 | 93 | 86.1 | 34.1 | 50.2 | 81.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$10,080
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
