Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

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NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ compared with NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

	NikonNIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ	NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Overview
Released
Released	April 2025	February 2022
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	28–135 mm	400 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	18 elements in 13 groups	25 elements in 19 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter
Special elements
Special elements	Three ED elements, one aspherical ED element and four aspherical elements	Two ED elements, two fluorite elements, one super-ED element and one SR element
Coatings
Coatings	Meso Amorphous Coat and fluorine coating on the front element	Meso Amorphous Coat, ARNEO Coat and fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	–	f/2.8–22 without the built-in teleconverter; f/4–32 with it engaged
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 75° to 18°10′; DX 53° to 12°	FX 6°10′ at 400 mm and 4°30′ at 560 mm; DX 4° and 2°50′ respectively
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon Z mount	Nikon Z mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	–	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 400 mm or 560 mm; also compatible with Nikon Z TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x converters
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.34 m	2.5 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.17×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Stepping motor autofocus and internal focusing	Silky Swift VCM autofocus with internal focusing; FULL and infinity–6 m focus limiter positions
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	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	Maker minimum focus 2.5 m; Cameralabs measured approximately 2.41 m, retained separately from the maker figure
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum reproduction ratio 0.25× at 55–135 mm	Maker maximum reproduction ratio 0.17×; Cameralabs measured approximately 1:3.9 with the built-in converter engaged
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical VR, confirmed by Digital Camera World; camera stabilisation depends on the body	Lens-shift VR rated 5.5 stops under CIPA conditions on an FX camera in NORMAL mode, with or without the built-in converter; Synchro VR supported on Z9
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	Maker focus-breathing compensation claim; Cameralabs nevertheless observes visible breathing on the Z7
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	95 mm	46 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	105 mm	156 mm
Length
Length	177.5 mm	380 mm
Weight
Weight	1,210 g (better)	2,950 g
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	Configurable control ring, L-Fn controls, Memory Set button and Fn ring for focus recall, A–M switch and lockable built-in converter lever
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	95 mm screw-in filter thread; HB-116 rectangular hood has a filter adjustment window	46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Maker dust and drip-resistant design; protection is not guaranteed in every condition	Maker sealing around movable barrel parts and mount gasket; dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed under all conditions
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 105 mm maximum diameter × 177.5 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 156 mm maximum diameter × 380 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	Maker approximately 2,950 g; Cameralabs measured 2,936 g including tripod foot, plus 232 g for the hood
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	Tripod collar with removable foot	Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes that the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile
In the box
In the box	LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-116 hood and CL-C5 case	LC-K105 front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HK-42 hood, LN-3 strap and CL-L3 case as listed by Nikon UK; Japan lists LN-3 or LN-4 strap
Release detail
Release detail	Nikon USA specified April 2025 retail availability; the February announcement date is not used as the on-sale date	Nikon Canada specified late February 2022 retail availability; January's announcement date is not used as the on-sale date