Nikon NIKKOR Z 100 400mm F 4 5 5 6 VR S Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is the first native super-telephoto zoom lens for Nikon's mirrorless Z-system, serving as a modern successor to the older F-mount 80-400mm DSLR lens. Built for professional sports, action, and wildlife photography, it features a robust, weather-sealed construction with a fluorine-coated front element, alongside physical handling assets like customizable L-fn/L-fn2 buttons, a de-clicked control ring, and an OLED information display panel. Its premium optical formula includes six ED and two Super ED elements paired with ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings to eliminate ghosting and flare. Performance-wise, the lens excels with incredibly fast and accurate autofocus tracking and a highly capable 5.5-stop optical Vibration Reduction (VR) system that ensures a high hit rate in demanding conditions. The review highlights several core advantages and drawbacks for prospective buyers. On the positive side (pros), the lens delivers superb overall image quality with outstanding central sharpness throughout the zoom range, minimal color fringing, and negligible distortion. It is also fully compatible with Nikon's Z 1.4x and 2x tele-converters, allowing for extended reach. Conversely, the primary cons focus...

Optically, the lens delivers outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent contrast control even when shooting wide open at its maximum variable aperture. This peak performance at wider apertures highlights its strengths over older DSLR counterparts, producing tack-sharp details in both distant action subjects and close-up portraits. However, the lens is not without its limitations. The variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 restricts its capability in low-light environments, sometimes causing autofocus hunting, and limits how effectively it can be paired with 1.4x or 2x teleconverters without requiring excessively high ISO settings to freeze fast movement. Additionally, at a launch price of $2,697, it represents a substantial financial investment and shares a nearly identical footprint with the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, making it less compelling for photographers who already own that lens alongside a 2x teleconverter.

The Nikon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens is a compact and highly competent long telephoto zoom designed for the Nikon Z system, offering a build quality and size comparable to the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Its notable advantages include surprisingly fast autofocus powered by dual stepping motors, robust weather sealing, minimal focus breathing, and exceptionally strong center sharpness at normal shooting distances. It serves near-macro capabilities with a close focus distance that achieves a 1:2.5 magnification ratio, which can be further boosted using teleconverters. Furthermore, its handling is top-tier due to an intuitive layout of programmable controls and an impressive Synchro VR system that delivers up to 5.5 stops of stabilization. However, the lens does present several drawbacks, particularly when evaluating optical performance at its closest focus distances, where it loses contrast and sharpness. Optically, it exhibits visible pin-cushion distortion reaching up to 3% at the 400mm end, alongside significant vignetting in the extreme corners when shooting wide open. Its susceptibility to flare and veiling glare in backlit situations is another noted vulnerability. Physically, users must contend with a non-Arca-Swiss compatible...

The Nikon Z 100-400mm VR f/4.5-5.6 S lens is a highly versatile, weather-sealed telephoto zoom that delivers fantastic, tack-sharp image quality across its entire focal range. It features advanced optical technology, including Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings to eliminate ghosting and flare, alongside a stepping motor for silent autofocus and 5.5 stops of Vibration Reduction. Designed with a variable maximum aperture ranging from f/4.5 at 100mm to f/5.6 at 400mm, the lens is exceptionally sharp at the center when wide open and reaches peak performance down to f/8 or f/11. It is praised for its incredibly close-focusing capabilities, smooth bokeh, and a short 80-degree zoom ring rotation that prevents zoom creep and maintains a consistent center of gravity. While the lens is highly recommended for landscape, wildlife, and sports photographers, it does carry a few drawbacks. The exterior construction is mostly plastic and features plastic filter threads, which may concern some users given its premium price point. Weighing 1.35kg, it is lightweight for a 400mm lens and highly manageable for handheld shooting, but its bulk remains a notable burden to...

The Photography Life review identifies the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S as a top-tier zoom with best-in-class sharpness, excellent weather sealing, and fast autofocus. Key advantages include its 0.38× close-focusing capability and smooth bokeh, making it versatile for both general and near-macro photography. Conversely, the 1435-gram lens is noted for its bulky design and high $2,700 price point. Performance drawbacks include a significant drop in sharpness and bokeh quality when using teleconverters, alongside a non-Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar.

The Nikon Z 100-400mm VR is a high-performance native mirrorless lens offering exceptional, consistent sharpness across its zoom range and effective stabilization. Key advantages include its innovative "Inner Balance" design that maintains a constant center of gravity, outstanding close-focusing capabilities, and compatibility with Z teleconverters. Conversely, the lens is heavy, physically large, and carries a high price point while utilizing plastic filter threads. Other notable disadvantages include the absence of a dedicated physical VR switch on the barrel and a tripod collar that lacks 90-degree click stops.

The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S is a premium, fully weather-sealed S-line telephoto zoom featuring "Inner Balance" technology that maintains a consistent center of gravity for superior handheld handling. Key advantages include an impressive 0.75m minimum focus distance (0.38x max magnification) for near-macro shots, extensive customization with multiple rings and buttons, and efficient 5.5+ stop image stabilization. However, the lens lacks a dedicated physical VR toggle switch, forcing users to manage stabilization modes through camera menus. Additionally, the autofocus stepper motor may exhibit a slightly slower initial subject acquisition time when covering long distances.

The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is identified by Photography Life as an exceptionally versatile, sharp, and fast-focusing telephoto zoom lens that serves as an essential, high-performance tool with impressive close-focusing capabilities. It features robust weather sealing, effective 5.5-stop stabilization, and an "Inner Balance" design that maintains stability while shooting. Despite its performance, the lens is notably large and heavy, with a narrow f/5.6 maximum aperture at 400mm that can limit low-light performance. It also carries a high price point, lacks a physical VR switch, and has a non-Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot.

The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 VR S is a highly capable, sharp-performing telezoom lens for Z-mount cameras, ideal for wildlife and sports photography. It boasts excellent weather sealing, a 1:2.6 close-focus ratio, and support for teleconverters, providing significant versatility for professionals. While offering top-tier performance, the lens is expensive, and the included tripod foot requires an additional adapter for Arca-Swiss compatibility. Furthermore, teleconverter use with this zoom significantly reduces light intake, requiring bright, sunny conditions to be fully effective.

In his review of the Nikon Z 100-400mm VR f/4.5-5.6 S lens, photographer Samuel Scicluna praises it as an exceptional, highly versatile super-telephoto zoom that has become his second-favourite Z-system lens. Spanning a highly practical zoom range, the lens stands out for its outstanding image quality, producing incredibly sharp photos across all settings with excellent control over color fringing, ghosting, and lens flare in backlit environments. Built primarily for landscape, wildlife, and sports photographers, it incorporates advanced Nikon technologies like Vibration Reduction (VR), advanced anti-reflective ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings, and a stepping motor that ensures fast, silent, and precise autofocus. Furthermore, its unique engineering prevents lens creep and keeps the center of gravity consistent regardless of how much you zoom. The review highlights distinct advantages and drawbacks of utilizing this telephoto lens in the field. Pros: It delivers tack-sharp images at every focal length (peaking around f/8 to f/11), offers smooth bokeh via a nine-bladed diaphragm, features a rugged weather-sealed body with a protective fluorine coating, and has a remarkably short 80-degree zoom ring rotation. It is also highly...