Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Featuring an f/4.5-5.6 aperture across its 100-400mm zoom range, 5-stop Vibration Reduction, and optics with six Super ED and two ED elements, this lens delivers sharp handheld telephoto performance. Inner Balance technology stabilizes the center of gravity for smooth gimbal tracking, while a 0.38x maximum magnification ratio enables near-macro detail. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need flexible handheld reach and for landscape shooters valuing edge-to-edge sharpness.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Nikon's Z 100-400mm is still sharp and the VR is excellent, but a big score drop and fresh competition have knocked it out of the top five. It's no longer the obvious wildlife lens to beat.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Razor-sharp across almost the entire zoom range 100th
- Best-in-class vibration reduction 96th
- Surprisingly compact and light for a 100-400mm 94th
- Works beautifully with Z teleconverters 88th
Cons
- Slight sharpness dip at 400mm
- Lens cap design blocks zoom when reversed
- f/5.6 aperture isn't ideal for low light
- Eye-watering price compared to older F-mount glass
- Overall score has fallen sharply against newer rivals
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202296/100
Buyers in Q2 2022 praised the lens for its sharpness, light weight, and fast autofocus, with many noting excellent VR and teleconverter compatibility. Some mentioned the long wait for stock and the desire for a faster aperture.
- Sharpness and image quality consistently praised, with users noting incredible detail and clarity.
- Lightweight and portable design appreciated, especially compared to previous lenses, making it easy to carry all day.
- Fast autofocus and effective VR, with users highlighting rock-solid stabilization and quick focusing for wildlife.
- Availability issues: long backorder wait times were a common complaint, though buyers were satisfied once received.
- Q1 202296/100
Buyers in Q1 2022 praised the lens for its sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and lightweight, balanced design. It was highly recommended for wildlife and bird photography, with a few minor notes on price and lack of a hard case.
- Sharpness and image quality are consistently praised, even with teleconverters and at long distances.
- Fast, silent autofocus and smooth zoom action are highlighted, especially compared to F-mount lenses.
- Lightweight and well-balanced for handheld use, with effective image stabilization and no lens creep.
- Some users note the high price and lack of a hard case, while one mentions autofocus challenges in low light.
Based on 102 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
What surprised us most is how close this lens gets to prime-level sharpness across the majority of its range. In our database, it's at the absolute top for optical quality, and the 5.5-stop VR genuinely lives up to the hype—we got tack-sharp shots at 1/30s at 400mm without breaking a sweat. The only letdown is a slight softness at the extreme 400mm end, something a few owners have grumbled about. It's not deal-breaking, but it's noticeable if you're pixel-peeping.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 100 |
| Focal Length Max | 400 |
| Elements | 25 |
| Groups | 20 |
| ED Elements | 8 |
| Coating | ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/40 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.4 kg / 3.2 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 750 |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.63 |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Sony FE 100-400mm GM, the Nikon matches it in sharpness and edges ahead in VR and weather sealing. The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 is cheaper and lighter but gives up on light gathering and build quality. The bigger problem is the new crowd: the Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035, Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, and Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS have all jumped ahead in the rankings. If you're already in the Z-mount ecosystem and need this exact range, the Nikon is still a solid choice, but it no longer looks like the no-compromise option it once was.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 100-400mm | 28-300mm | 17-40mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 17-40mm |
| Max Aperture | f/40 | f/4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Canon EF |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1435 | 590 | 535 | 306 | 326 | 499 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Autofocus | Linear motor | USM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | 54 | 4.7 | 17.6 | 48.4 | 99.8 | 2.2 | 65.8 | 88.3 | 94.1 | 96.4 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 83.6 | 63 | 83.2 | 96.3 | 70.9 | 92.3 | 97.9 | 50.7 | 79.3 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 54 | 97 | 67.1 | 72.3 | 96.7 | 95.3 | 98.3 | 75.7 | 94.1 | 34.4 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 54 | 86.6 | 83.9 | 49 | 86.2 | 88.3 | 92.3 | 80.5 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 81.4 | 71 | 37.5 | 77.9 | 82.8 | 48 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.3 |
| Canon L Advanced Two Lens Kit Compare | 93.1 | 95.6 | 70.3 | 85.5 | 77.9 | 97.5 | 0 | 75.7 | 65.6 | 34.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
With prices swinging from $2,210 up to over $3,300, the value story has gotten harder to defend. The lower end of that range, like what we've seen from Newegg, still buys you strong optical performance and build quality, but the overall score drop means you should compare carefully against newer options before spending. At full retail, it's a very tough sell right now.
Read more
Overview
Nikon's Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a telephoto zoom that promised a lot but now sits in a much tougher crowd. The sharpness and vibration reduction are still there, but the overall score has dropped hard, and newer competitors like the Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN and the Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 have pushed it out of the top five. The one thing to know: this is still a capable wildlife and travel lens on Nikon's mirrorless system, but it no longer looks like the obvious pick it once did.
Common Questions
Q: Does this lens work well with Nikon Z teleconverters?
Absolutely. The 1.4x and 2x teleconverters maintain excellent image quality and autofocus, turning this into a 140-560mm or 200-800mm beast with minimal penalty.
Q: Is it sharp enough to replace a prime lens?
For most real-world shooting, yes. It's incredibly sharp from 100mm to about 350mm. At 400mm, a dedicated prime will beat it, but the difference isn't dramatic unless you crop heavily.
Q: How is the lens cap issue everyone talks about?
When you reverse the included hood and cap for storage, it can jam the zoom ring. It's a dumb design flaw. Buy a separate pinch cap and forget about it.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a budget telephoto or need an f/2.8 for indoor sports and low light, this isn't your lens. Go grab a used Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S instead, or save a pile of cash with the Tamron 70-300mm for Z-mount.
Verdict
Wait and compare. If you're shooting wildlife, birds, or adventure travel on a Nikon Z camera, this lens still delivers strong optical performance and stabilization, and the compact build means you'll actually take it with you. But the overall score has dropped from 93 to 62, and several newer lenses have leapfrogged it. The minor annoyances at 400mm now matter more when the competitive field is this crowded.
