Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

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AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR compared with NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Overview
Released
Released	July 2015	November 2022
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	600 mm	600 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	16 elements in 12 groups plus one protective glass element	26 elements in 20 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter
Special elements
Special elements	Four ED elements and two fluorite elements	Three ED elements, one super-ED element, two fluorite elements and two SR elements including the built-in converter
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Meso Amorphous Coat, Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/4–32 without the built-in teleconverter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 4°10′; DX 2°40′	FX 4°10′ at 600 mm and 3° at 840 mm; DX 2°40′ and 2° respectively
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 restricts compatibility with some older DSLRs	–
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Original Nikon announcement lists TC-14E, TC-17E and TC-20E series; autofocus operation depends on the converter and camera aperture support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 600 mm or 840 mm; Nikon UK also confirms compatibility with Nikon Z TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x converters
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	4.4 m	4.3 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.14×	0.14×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus	Silky Swift VCM with optical ABS encoder and internal focusing; FULL and infinity–10 m focus limiter positions
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 4.4 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–10 m	Minimum focal-plane distance 4.3 m with or without the built-in converter; Cameralabs measured approximately 4.12 m in manual focus
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maker 0.14× at 600 mm, used in the main specifications; 0.2× with the built-in converter engaged
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	Lens-shift VR rated 5.0 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX mirrorless camera in NORMAL mode, built-in converter disabled; 5.5 stops with Z9 Synchro VR
Video features
Video features	–	Maker breathing-suppression claim; Cameralabs observes visible focus breathing and recommends refocusing after switching the built-in converter
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	46 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	166 mm	165 mm
Length
Length	432 mm	437 mm
Weight
Weight	3,810 g	3,260 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Reviews describe A/M, M/A and M focusing modes and four configurable buttons for AF-ON, AF lock or focus memory recall	Configurable control ring, L-Fn controls, Memory Set button and Fn ring for focus recall, A–M switch and lockable built-in converter lever
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread	46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes sealing and gaskets against the elements; no waterproof rating stated	Maker sealing around moving parts and mount gasket; protection is not guaranteed in all conditions
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 166 mm maximum diameter × 432 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 165 mm maximum diameter × 437 mm from the mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 3,260 g; Cameralabs reports an additional 248 g for the hood
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Tripod collar and foot; a shorter monopod foot is supplied	Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-40 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-608 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar	Nikon Japan lists LC-K107 front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HK-43 hood, LN-3 or LN-4 strap and CL-L3 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon US specified mid-July 2015 retail availability; the 2 July announcement is not used as the first-sale date	Nikon Japan records 25 November 2022 release, following its planned delivery start on that date; this is the Japanese retail date