martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Sitting objects not much difference, but moving objects the 80-400 is the clear winner. Check my back post for Hundreds of BIF with the 80-400. Ever review I've read that are done by Professional Bird photographers that photograph BIF say the 200-500 is too slow in tracking....

motionbymarvin

I have the 80-400 and 200-500. The 80-400 on my d500 is used nearly every time. Also the 28-300 on the d500 produces fantastic images with a great all round range.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A no brainer - longer is better for full frame !!
.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

200-500.

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

I'v owned, and used regularly, the 80-400. I've owned both versions over the years. I've used them on D7100 and D7200. The lens is better than I am - when my technique is excellent, so are my shots; if not, I'll try to blame the lens or camera or subject.
I've never owned the 200-500 but have rented one. I liked the boost from 400 to 500 since I do a lot of bird photography, but I missed having the ability to go to the 80 end of the 80-400 lens.
They are both relatively heavy, but whether too heavy depends on the photographer. I frequently carry the 80-400 on long hikes in the Sierra.

Good luck
Mike

Geegee Loc: Peterborough, Ont.

The 80-400 is not going to do a very good job for wildlife with an FX camera. You should look at a 600 mm lens for wildlife with a full frame camera. I have an 18-200 nikkor and a 150-600 Tamron G2 which I use on my D500 and I am very pleased.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The Nikon 80-400 is an old technology lens. It is not an E lens like the 200-500 is. Let me explain, the 200-500 has an electronic aperture vs. the mechanical aperture on the 80-400.
I use my 200-500 for BIF and shoot at high frames per second, the electronic aperture of the 200-500 will assure me that each and every exposure will be exactly the same, this will not be true with the 80-400.
Second, it has been my personal opinion that the 200-500 is sharper than the 80-400 is especially at the 400 mm end of the 80-400.
Third, the 200-500 has a 100mm reach over the 80-400, this could be a game changer for wildlife.
True, the 80-400 is weather sealed and the 200-500 is not. But weather sealed does not mean water proof. I never take my lenses out into the rain, birds and wildlife are not active in a rain storm, plus a rain shoot through the rain degrads your images anyway so why would you want to shoot in the rain.
I owned the 80-400 but traded it in when I got the 200-500 because of the above given reasons.
Below is a national award winning photo of a Great Egret taken with the 200-500 off a D4s. It was taken hand held at 500 mm. 1/640 sec. f6.3, 500 mm, iso 3200

Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA

Sold the 80_400 for the 200_500. Less $$ , sharper and the same max aperture throughout the zoom range.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I found the 200 to be a bit long at times. when something would get close I'd get jammed in. Great for out in the open, as nothing was ever long enough................

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Frequently when long lenses comes up, one consideration mentioned is the weight involved. I need support with any lens, but for the big guys, the Wimberley MH100 on my mono has been a great help to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgj8bMviZOw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqyqZb7-L_A

Coucou Loc: North Carolina

I have used the 80-400 for years until I discovered the 200-500. The latter is far superior and I recommend it highly. I sold the 80-400. I use it often with a 1.4 converter and always on a D850.
Hope this helps.

TonyBrown

I have a 200-500 and an 80-400. I use the 80-400 for wildlife travel photography as it’s much lighter that the 200-500. Also consider the 300pf with a 1.4 tc or the 500 pf. I have both and never use my 200-500. As a wildcard my partner has a Tamron 100-400 that was calibrated to her css as meta. I can’t believe the image quality she gets. Every bit as good or better that the Nikon lenses and very light to carry around.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Of all long zooms tested, the Tamron 100-400 has the highest Imatest scores .....
.

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

I can't speak to the lens, but I find this to be beautiful !

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

You need the reach for birds - Nikon 200-500mm