Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR compared with NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S

	NikonNIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR	NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Overview
Released
Released	August 2023	July 2022
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	180–600 mm	400 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/5.6–6.3	f/4.5
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32–36	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	25 elements in 17 groups; internal focusing	Nineteen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Special elements	Six ED elements and one aspherical element	One ED, two Super ED and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Fluorine coating on the front element	Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/5.6–32 at 180 mm; f/6.3–36 at 600 mm. The displayed minimum aperture can vary with the camera's exposure increment	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 13°40′–4°10′; DX 9°–2°40′	FX 6°10′; DX 4°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras	At launch, memory recall supported Z9, Z7II, Z6II and Z30 with updated firmware; Nikon stated other models would follow through firmware updates
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Supports Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×; Nikon cautions that autofocus or the electronic rangefinder may struggle depending on conditions	Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0× provide 560 mm and 800 mm focal lengths respectively; Nikon warns AF performance can deteriorate with subject, brightness and focus position
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	1.3 m	2.5 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.16×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing	STM stepping-motor autofocus; internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distances are 1.3 m at 180 mm, 1.36 m at 200 mm, 1.67 m at 300 mm, 1.94 m at 400 mm, 2.19 m at 500 mm and 2.4 m at 600 mm; limiter selects full range or 6 m–infinity	Nikon specifies a 2.5 m minimum distance and 0.16× maximum reproduction ratio. Camera Labs measured 2.36 m and 1:5.6 on its sample; main figures retain maker specifications
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon publishes maximum 0.25× without separately specifying focal length in its UK table	–
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Optical VR rated at 5.5 stops to CIPA standards with an FX camera, Normal mode and maximum telephoto; CameraLabs achieved around four stops in its handheld Z8 test at 600 mm	Lens-shift VR with voice-coil motors; 5.5 stops CIPA on an FX camera in Normal mode, or 6 stops with Z9 Synchro VR
Video features
Video features	Quiet focusing, clickless control ring and suppressed focus breathing	Nikon describes suppressed focus breathing and smooth exposure changes; Camera Labs measured a visible 9% magnification change from infinity to 4.1 m
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	95 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	110 mm	104 mm
Length
Length	315.5 mm	234.5 mm
Weight
Weight	1,955 g	1,160 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom and customisable focus/control rings, four L-Fn buttons, AF/manual switch and focus limiter	L-Fn and L-Fn2 buttons, silent control ring and memory-set button; focus limiter selects Full (infinity–2.5 m) or infinity–6 m
Zoom design
Zoom design	Internal zooming; Nikon states 70° rotation across the range	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	95 mm screw-in filters, 1 mm pitch	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and drip resistance, not guaranteed in all conditions; fluorine front coating eases cleaning	Weather sealing and mount gasket; Nikon does not guarantee dust and drip protection in all conditions
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 110 mm maximum diameter × 315.5 mm from mount flange	Approximately 104 mm maximum diameter × 234.5 mm from mount flange
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 1955 g without tripod collar; 2140 g with collar	Approximately 1160 g without tripod collar, 1245 g with it
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Removable collar; CameraLabs confirms two mounting threads and no Arca-Swiss dovetail	Removable tripod foot; Camera Labs reports no Arca-Swiss groove
Lens hood
Lens hood	HB-109 included	–
In the box
In the box	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-109 hood and CL-C6 case; removable tripod collar	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105 hood and CL-C5 case
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA states August 2023 availability; exact earliest retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Nikon describes it as a follow-up to the F-mount 200–500 mm; no cross-mount direct successor link inferred	Nikon Japan gives 15 July 2022; Nikon USA announced July 2022 availability