When Canon dropped some of their lens prices recently, I wondered how that compared to the equivalent Nikon lenses. Using B&H numbers, here’s what I came up with (caution: a couple of these numbers changed even as I was looking them up ;~):
| Canon | Nikon | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-70mm f/2.8 |
US$2099 | 24-70mm f/2.8 |
US$1890 |
| 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 |
US$2689 | 28-300mm 4/3.5-5.6 |
US$1049 |
| 70-200mm f/2.8 |
US$2299 | 70-200mm f/2.8 |
US$2399 |
| 70-200mm f/4 |
US$1299 | 70-200mm f/4 |
US$1399 |
| 24mm f/1.4 |
US$1649 | 24mm f/1.4 |
US$1949 |
| 24mm f/3.5 Tilt |
US$1999 | 24mm f/3.5 Tilt |
US$1999 |
| 100mm f/2.8 Macro |
US$949 | 105mm f/2.8 Macro |
US$899 |
| 300mm f/2.8 |
US$6599 | 300mm f/2.8 |
US$5799 |
| 400mm f/2.8 |
US$10499 | 400mm f/2.8 |
US$11999 |
| 500mm f/4 |
US$9499 | 500mm f/4 |
US$8399 |
| 600mm f/4 |
US$11999 | 600mm f/4 |
US$9799 |
In some places, Canon is less expensive, in others, it’s the Nikon version that’s cheaper. Of course, there are a number of generational and functional issues in such a crude comparison, so it’s not exactly an apples-versus-apples chart we’re looking at. Moreover, both companies have lens rebate programs that seem to come and go as inventories need adjusting.
Personally, I don’t think that pricing is the main differential in the Canon versus Nikon lens choice these days. Instead, both companies have some lenses that the other doesn’t, which is probably more important for someone trying to decide which system to opt for from scratch.
