NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S vs Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Nikon Z)
The Nikon is brighter (f/2.8 vs f/4.5) and is stabilised. The Tamron is 2155g lighter and goes wider, to 70mm.
Key differences
- The Tamron is 2155g lighter (580g vs 2735g).
- The Nikon is faster: f/2.8 vs f/4.5 (≈1.4 stops more light).
- For close-ups the Tamron reaches 0.20× vs 0.18×.
Which to choose
- NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Choose it for:
- +The brightest aperture: f/2.8, about 1.4 stops more light
- +Optical stabilisation
- 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Nikon Z)
Choose it for:
- +The lightest option: 580g, 2155g less than the next
- +The widest view: starts at 70mm
Computed from published specs, confirmed launch prices and, where every lens has at least two reviews, review scores.
- Mount
- Nikon Z (FX)
- Nikon Z (FX)
- Focal length
- 120–300mm
- 70–300mm
- Max aperture
- F2.8◆
- F4.5–6.3
- Weight
- 2,735g
- 580g◆
- Dimensions ⌀ × L
- 128.0 × 353.5mm
- 77.0 × 150.3mm
- Volume
- 4549 cm³
- 700 cm³◆
- Density
- 0.60 g/cm³
- 0.83 g/cm³
- Filter thread
- ⌀112mm
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.98m
- 0.80m◆
- Max magnification
- 0.18×
- 0.20×◆
- Elements / groups
- 30 / 24
- 15 / 10
- Aperture blades
- 9◆
- 7
- Focus drive
- Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM)
- RXD Stepping Motor
- Stabilisation
- Yes
- —
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- —
- —
- Released
- 2026
- 2022
- MSRP (USD)
- $14,000
- Unconfirmed
- Sharpness
- —
- 7.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- —
- 7.0
- Autofocus Speed
- —
- 8.0
- Flare Resistance
- —
- 6.8
- Build / Sealing
- —
- 7.4
- Value / Size
- —
- 8.8
Performance overlay
- NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S
- 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Nikon Z)
◆ marks the best value in a row. Scores are 0–10 editorial ratings.