Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E 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 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
Overview
Released
Released	August 2014	April 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	400 mm	28–135 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups plus meniscus protective glass; Nikon Japan and the original US announcement do not list the two aspherical elements appended to the UK table	18 elements in 13 groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two fluorite elements and two ED elements	Three ED elements, one aspherical ED element and four aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the meniscus protective glass	Meso Amorphous Coat and fluorine coating on the front element
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 6°10′; DX 4°	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; Nikon warns that some cameras restrict E-type lens operation	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2.6 m	0.34 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.17×	0.25×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus	Stepping motor autofocus and internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2.6 m; focus 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 Japan publishes 0.17×, used in the main specifications; the UK table gives 1/6.9 and Digital Camera World lists 0.14×	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; 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
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	159.5 mm	105 mm
Length
Length	358 mm	177.5 mm
Weight
Weight	3,800 g	1,210 g (better)
Controls
Controls	–	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	–	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 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	Both reviews describe weather sealing; the maker specification pages used here do not publish a protection rating	Maker dust and drip-resistant design; protection is not guaranteed in every condition
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 159.5 mm maximum diameter × 358 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	Rotating tripod collar; the original maker announcement describes bearings for smooth rotation	Tripod collar with removable foot
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-38 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-405 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-116 hood and CL-C5 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon US specified August 2014 retail availability; Nikon Japan records 28 August 2014 release. Main month precision retains the earlier unspecified US availability within that month	Nikon USA specified April 2025 retail availability; the February announcement date is not used as the on-sale date