Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2022 | November 2022 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 400 mm | 600 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | Nineteen elements in thirteen groups | 26 elements in 20 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter |
| Special elements | One ED, two Super ED and one SR element | Three ED elements, one super-ED element, two fluorite elements and two SR elements including the built-in converter |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element | Meso Amorphous Coat, Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front element |
| Aperture detail | – | f/4–32 without the built-in teleconverter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control |
| Angle of view | FX 6°10′; DX 4° | FX 4°10′ at 600 mm and 3° at 840 mm; DX 2°40′ and 2° respectively |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | At launch, memory recall supported Z9, Z7II, Z6II and Z30 with updated firmware; Nikon stated other models would follow through firmware updates | – |
| Teleconverter support | 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 | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 2.5 m | 4.3 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.16× | 0.14× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | STM stepping-motor autofocus; internal focusing | Silky Swift VCM with optical ABS encoder and internal focusing; FULL and infinity–10 m focus limiter positions |
| Focus distance detail | 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 | 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 | – | Maker 0.14× at 600 mm, used in the main specifications; 0.2× with the built-in converter engaged |
| Stabilisation detail | 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 | 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 | Nikon describes suppressed focus breathing and smooth exposure changes; Camera Labs measured a visible 9% magnification change from infinity to 4.1 m | Maker breathing-suppression claim; Cameralabs observes visible focus breathing and recommends refocusing after switching the built-in converter |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 95 mm | 46 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 104 mm | 165 mm |
| Length | 234.5 mm | 437 mm |
| Weight | 1,160 g (better) | 3,260 g |
| Controls | 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 | 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 | – | 46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread |
| Weather resistance | Weather sealing and mount gasket; Nikon does not guarantee dust and drip protection in all conditions | Maker sealing around moving parts and mount gasket; protection is not guaranteed in all conditions |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 104 mm maximum diameter × 234.5 mm from mount flange | Approximately 165 mm maximum diameter × 437 mm from the mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1160 g without tripod collar, 1245 g with it | Approximately 3,260 g; Cameralabs reports an additional 248 g for the hood |
| Tripod mount | Removable tripod foot; Camera Labs reports no Arca-Swiss groove | Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile |
| In the box | LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105 hood and CL-C5 case | 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 | Nikon Japan gives 15 July 2022; Nikon USA announced July 2022 availability | Nikon Japan records 25 November 2022 release, following its planned delivery start on that date; this is the Japanese retail date |
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