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

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

25 October 2007

Arkadiusz Olech

4. Image resolution

The Nikkor’s 80-200 mm performance, as far as the picture resolution is concerned, is similar to its main competitor – the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. The Nikkor has quite consistent and very good performance in the 80 to 135 mm focal length range and has a noticeable quality decrease at the 200 mm focal length. Sigma’s advantage is definitely the smaller disproportion between the maximum aperture and the sharpest diaphragms. The Nikkor’s advantage is a slightly smaller difference between the focal lengths. Essentially, the two competitors score a high quality tie in this category.

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

The high-class varifocal lenses in the middle of the frame can be serious competition for fixed focal length lenses. The situation at the edge of the frame is worse, and this is where we really see the instrument’s performance. The Nikkor is better than the Sigma in this category, which only at 70 mm focal length had perfect results (but only at the maximum aperture) and could be a threat to the Nikkor. After stopping down the lens, the Nikkor is the clear winner. At 135 mm focal length the Nikkor performs much better since its sharpness in the edge of the frame is almost the same as in the middle of the frame. At 200 mm focal length, both lenses have similarly average results.

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To sum it up, we have to add that if you have the Nikkor 80-200 mm, you don’t need to worry about purchasing any fixed focal length lenses in the 80-135 focal length range. They won’t improve anything in the picture resolution category. Only at the 200 mm focal length do we feel like we have a zoom lens and not a fixed focal length lens.