Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
Overview
Released
Released	March 2018	April 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	180–400 mm	28–135 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	27 elements in 19 groups plus protective glass; built-in converter has eight elements in five groups	18 elements in 13 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Eight ED elements and one fluorite element	Three ED elements, one aspherical ED element and four aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Meso Amorphous Coat and fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–32 without the built-in converter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 13°40′–6°10′ without converter or 9°50′–4°30′ with it; DX 9°–4° or 6°20′–2°50′ respectively	FX 75° to 18°10′; DX 53° to 12°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; electromagnetic aperture control requires compatible camera operation	–
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 180–400 mm f/4 or 252–560 mm f/5.6	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2 m	0.34 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.25×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; original Nikon announcement describes enhanced tracking and cross-type outer AF points on compatible 153-point cameras with the required firmware	Stepping motor autofocus and internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2 m across the zoom range; limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Minimum focal-plane distances of 0.34 m at 28, 35 and 50 mm; 0.39 m at 70 mm; 0.43 m at 85 mm; 0.49 m at 105 mm; 0.57 m at 135 mm
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon UK publishes 0.25× at 400 mm without the converter, used in the main specifications; 0.36× at 560 mm with it engaged	Maximum reproduction ratio 0.25× at 55–135 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR at the longest zoom position; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	No optical VR, confirmed by Digital Camera World; camera stabilisation depends on the body
Video features
Video features	–	Focus-breathing suppression, linear manual-focus support and power zoom; Hi-Res Zoom synchronisation requires a supported camera and suitable firmware
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	128 mm	105 mm
Length
Length	362.5 mm	177.5 mm
Weight
Weight	3,500 g	1,210 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Lockable built-in converter lever; ePHOTOzine describes A/M, M/A and M modes plus focus-function buttons for AF lock, AF-ON or Memory Recall	Zoom rocker, electronically coupled zoom and focus rings, customisable control ring, two L-Fn buttons and A–M switch; no mechanically driven manual zoom ring
Zoom design
Zoom design	Rotary zoom ring; E.J. Peiker describes internal zooming without a change in length	Internal power zoom with eleven selectable speeds on compatible cameras; adjustable zoom-ring direction and rotation angle, with firmware and camera compatibility requirements
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in holder system, not a front screw-in thread	95 mm screw-in filter thread; HB-116 rectangular hood has a filter adjustment window
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes dust and moisture sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Maker dust and drip-resistant design; protection is not guaranteed in every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 128 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 105 mm maximum diameter × 177.5 mm from the mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 1,210 g including tripod collar, used in the main specifications; approximately 1,120 g without it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	360° rotating collar with 90° position marks and removable foot; E.J. Peiker notes that the supplied foot lacks an Arca-Swiss dovetail	Tripod collar with removable foot
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists LC-K103 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-41 hood, dedicated filter holder, 40.5 mm NC filter, LN-2 strap and CL-L2 case	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-116 hood and CL-C5 case
Release detail
Release detail	Original Nikon US announcement specifies March 2018 retail availability; January CES introduction is not used as the first-sale date	Nikon USA specified April 2025 retail availability; the February announcement date is not used as the on-sale date