Nikon NIKKOR 20053 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 (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong optical (84th percentile) 84th
Cons
- Below average build (8th percentile)
- Below average aperture (20th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (23rd percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd 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.
- Q1 202095/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and lightweight design, despite the high cost. It significantly improves keeper rates for wildlife and bird photography.
- Exceptional image quality and sharpness, especially with D850.
- Fast and accurate autofocus reduces hunting, doubles keeper shots.
- Lightweight and well-balanced, comparable to super zooms.
- High price is a barrier, but value retention and trade-offs justify cost.
- Q3 2017100/100
Buyers praise the lens for sharpness, reduced weight, and excellent balance. It is considered worth the high price, with notable improvements over zoom alternatives.
- Sharpness exceeds zoom lenses, with detailed feather and insect images.
- Lighter and better balanced than previous 500mm f/4 models, easy to handhold.
- Works well with TC-14EIII teleconverter, maintaining autofocus on D500/D750.
- High build quality, including excellent lens hood and lockable case.
Based on 23 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 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/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 20053 500mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 500mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 3090 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | super-telephoto | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR 20053 500mm | 53.9 | 23.1 | 8.1 | 32.9 | 84.3 | 20.3 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 35.5 | 93.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78.2 | 65.1 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.3 | 91.2 | 97.7 | 55 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 82.1 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.2 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 82.1 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.2 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.1 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.7 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.6 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.6 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.9 | 98.5 | 67.4 | 38.5 | 82.2 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
Price
Value & Pricing
We started tracking prices for this product on May 25, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
