Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | July 2022 | October 2023 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 400 mm | 600 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 | f/6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | Nineteen elements in thirteen groups | Twenty-one elements in fourteen groups |
| Special elements | One ED, two Super ED and one SR element | Two ED, one SR and one Phase Fresnel element |
| Coatings | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element |
| Aperture detail | – | f/6.3–32 |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 6°10′; DX 4° | FX 4°10′; DX 2°40′ |
| 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 | Nikon Z mount; full-frame FX and DX cameras |
| Image circle detail | – | Physical 600 mm focal length; 900 mm full-frame-equivalent angle of view on DX, as both reviews note |
| 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 | Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0× supported; Nikon states 840 mm and 1200 mm respectively with AF and VR retained |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 2.5 m | 4 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.16× | 0.15× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | STM stepping-motor autofocus; internal focusing | Stepping motor for quiet autofocus |
| 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 | Internal focusing; minimum 4 m; range limiter FULL (4 m to infinity) or 10 m to infinity |
| Magnification detail | – | Maximum 0.15× |
| 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 using voice coil motors; 5.5-stop CIPA rating in Normal mode on FX, or 6.0 stops in Normal mode with a body supporting Synchro VR. Sport mode stabilises the viewfinder during continuous shooting. VR settings accessed through the camera, as TechRadar notes |
| 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 | Quiet operation, stable exposure and reduced focus breathing according to Nikon |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 95 mm | 95 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 104 mm | 106.5 mm |
| Length | 234.5 mm | 278 mm |
| Weight | 1,160 g (better) | 1,390 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 | One L-Fn and four L-Fn2 buttons, memory-set button, programmable control ring, focus ring, A/M and focus-limit switches; memory recall requires the latest compatible camera firmware according to Nikon's launch announcement |
| Filter detail | – | 95 mm screw-in filters, 1.0 mm pitch |
| Weather resistance | Weather sealing and mount gasket; Nikon does not guarantee dust and drip protection in all conditions | Rubber gaskets protect moving parts and the mount against dust, dirt and moisture. Nikon says dust and drip resistance is not guaranteed in every situation or condition |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 104 mm maximum diameter × 234.5 mm from mount flange | Approximately 106.5 mm maximum diameter × 278 mm from the lens mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 1160 g without tripod collar, 1245 g with it | Approximately 1390 g without tripod collar; 1470 g with it |
| Tripod mount | Removable tripod foot; Camera Labs reports no Arca-Swiss groove | Removable tripod collar |
| Lens hood | – | HB-105A included |
| In the box | LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105 hood and CL-C5 case | LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-105A hood and CL-C6 case |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan gives 15 July 2022; Nikon USA announced July 2022 availability | Nikon USA's October 2023 announcement states late October availability. Exact earliest global and first UK retail day unconfirmed, so month precision retained |
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