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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P Review

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P Review

By Nasim Mansurov 110 Comments
Last Updated On January 27, 2024

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110 Comments
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AndyH
AndyH
April 14, 2024 2:44 am

Bought this lens to replace AF-S 70-200/4G VR, and to use with Z bodies. Maybe not as sharp when viewing at 100%, but AF-P works much better with mirrorless. 70-200/4 was rather unpleasant experience with its noisy AF motors when using with Z7II.

It is not perfect though: while AF is fast and silent, it is sometimes slightly inconsistent and has to be refocused for best sharpness. Bokeh seems to be quite nice and natural looking, but it is not as good as some faster lenses.

All in all I consider it a “poor man’s” sport lens, if 300mm reach is enough. Surprisingly nice images can be taken with basic photography skills. Post-processing helps too.

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Rob. B.
Rob. B.
October 1, 2023 9:10 am

I had the old one, it was never any good beyond 200mm. However, I bought a second had copy of this P version and use it with a FTZ on a 24 MP Z6ii.. It’s quite a remarkable lens for travelling and mountain walking etc., especially at the very low price point. I’m still often very pleasantly surprised at the results, especially stopped down a stop or so. I couple it with a Z 24-120 f4 S and a 50mm and 85mm new S primes. That covers most things I shoot in a smallish bag.

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Russ (Spirit Vision Photography)
Russ (Spirit Vision Photography)
September 6, 2023 6:29 am

This is the only lens in the 70-300 line that is sharp at the long (300mm) end. All others before it are soft at the 300mm setting. Auto focus and VR on this lens works very well. I highly recommend it.

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Marc P.
Marc P.
July 10, 2023 2:05 pm

Does it work on a D700? I’ve seen a review mounted onto the old D300….since i am quite well aware, this is a AF-P lens, i am questioning myself, if this is only working onto the latest F-Mount bodies, like D5/D6, D500 / D850…in terms of AF and VR compability.

thanks in advance.

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Petra Bound
Petra Bound
May 3, 2023 11:05 am

Nasim,

Your sample photos (overall) look really great. Are these unedited jpeg images or edited raw file?

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Gerben
Gerben
December 18, 2022 1:42 am

Used it on a z6ii with ftz adapter for outdoor beach volleyball. Razor sharp. Same with flying ducks in a wetland nearby. Gonna try it out on indoor volleyball next month, on 300-f5,6-1/200 with high iso. Keep you posted. For outdoor this lens prooved to be very useful.

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Wagner Rocha
Wagner Rocha
February 6, 2022 9:22 am

Good evening!
I am a nature photographer, amateur since 2008. www.instagram.com/wagne…ocha_foto/
To replace my good old nikon 70-300 AF-S lens (for bird photography) I saw that there is a new one
Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR
I read that Nikon offers, in addition to the above version for full frame, a DX version (lower in material/performance, according to reviews)
It’s the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P

Question:
Do they both equate to a 105-450 on my cropped camera (D5500) or just AF-P for fullframe?

I appreciate any help. thanks!

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Pete A
Pete A
Reply to  Wagner Rocha
February 8, 2022 2:36 pm

Mount either a DX or FX 70–300mm lens on a DX Nikon D5500.
Now, we can say that the angle of view of this combination is equivalent to mounting a FX 107–460mm lens on a FX body.

Note: I used a crop factor of 1.534 for the Nikon D5500 sensor 23.5mm × 15.6mm.

See Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P:
photographylife.com/revie…dx-vr-af-p

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John Moyer
John Moyer
October 5, 2021 9:21 pm

I just bought one of these to replace an old 70-300G VR lens. I primarily use it to photograph my grandchildren playing on sports teams – football, soccer, baseball. Also airshows and occasional other things. The new lens is clearly sharper especially at 200-300mm, and focuses faster. I am very satisfied with the purchase.

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Mick Dean
Mick Dean
May 4, 2021 4:11 am

Thanks for this review which I’d say is a very accurate description and a fair assessment – the lens has its faults if pixel-peeping, much of which can be fixed in post. As a casual walkabout zoom I can’t really fault this lens. It’s lightweight and with amazingly fast and accurate autofocus. Use of plastic instead of metal here is an attribute to make this so usable handheld. Optically it’s almost as good as pro level but does lack a little in resolving fine detail – I’m keen to try this at a sport event in place of my trusted 70-200 f2.8 just out of curiosity, the extra reach may compensate for the slight drop in IQ and should be fine in normal daylight conditions.

On a DX body (I’ve used it on my D7500) the crop factor gives 105-450mm reach – still not far enough reach for true wildlife but great when closer to the subject. More of a ‘wildlife in landscape’ lens but, given its autofocus speed, is great for BIF in good light, again, when closer to the subject. Use of the deep hood is essential, esp with rain, as with all zooms but to avoid the glare issues mentioned. I’d say, on balance, anyone would be severely tested to find a zoom lens of similar focal length to be this good at the price-point.

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Ashok Vashisht
Ashok Vashisht
Reply to  Mick Dean
May 9, 2021 2:45 am

In the context of D7500+wildlife I really miss a F-mount Nikkor AF-P 100-400 !

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Manx
Manx
March 12, 2021 5:06 pm

The review Nasim wrote sold me on this lens which I bought today used in mint condition for $575 CAD . Two months ago I bought a Nikon AF-S 16-85mm for a D7000 I converted with an 850nm IR filter from Kolarivision . With the two lenses which are both light and very sharp and my D7500 I have a great kit for on the motorcycle and airplane trips (after covid-19 settles down) . Thanks Nasim , great work you put out.

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Manx
Manx
Reply to  Manx
March 18, 2021 9:28 am

Update : For the last week I’ve tried this lens on my infrared converted D7000 at all focal lengths between f/6.3 to f/11 . All photos turned out great with no hot spots . I use back button focus and take the shot right after and have had no problems with compatibility on the D7000 , of coarse using this lens on my D7500 is amazing for quiet ultra fast AF .

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