Besides VR and AF-S is the 70-200 optically better than the 80-200 2.8D?

Question

Somebody told me that the 80-200 was sharper.

Answer 1

Maybe under "lab" conditions, one lenses is "sharper" than another, but in actual professional usage, unless you are using very cheap non-OEM lenses, you will never see those tiny differences.

The VR feature helps control camera movement, so under certain conditions (like slower shutter speeds) blur will show up on the non-VR lens, but that has nothing to do with the sharpness of the lens itself.  The true test would be with both lenses mounted on a camera that is firmly attached to a tripod.

Rather than go to the extent of doing these tests for yourself, read these comments from one photographers experience with both lenses.

"... this 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (or the 80-200mm AF-D) is one of the two lenses used by every professional photographer every day. The other lens is usually a wide zoom on a second body. This is Nikon's latest professional workhorse lens."

And

"If you want to save money, then forgo the VR feature and get the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D for half the price with the same optical quality. For half the price the Nikon 80-200mm AF-D offers the same great optical quality. DO NOT be tempted by used 80-200 lenses or the discount-brand lenses, since a brand new, latest model Nikon 80-200mm AF-D can be had for the same price as used lenses or junky non-Nikon brands." -- Ken Rockwell.

This is pretty good advice, however I have found excellent lightly used Nikon lenses are usually an excellent value.