Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S | NikonNIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 2022 | April 2022 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 600 mm | 800 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 26 elements in 20 groups, including seven elements in four groups in the built-in teleconverter | Twenty-two elements in fourteen groups |
| Special elements | Three ED elements, one super-ED element, two fluorite elements and two SR elements including the built-in converter | Three ED, one SR and one Phase Fresnel element |
| Coatings | Meso Amorphous Coat, Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine coating on the front element | Nano Crystal Coat and fluorine-coated front element |
| Aperture detail | f/4–32 without the built-in teleconverter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control | Nine rounded blades |
| Angle of view | FX 4°10′ at 600 mm and 3° at 840 mm; DX 2°40′ and 2° respectively | FX 3°10′; DX 2° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z mount |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | – | At launch, memory recall supported Z9, Z7II and Z6II with updated firmware; Nikon stated other models would follow through firmware updates |
| Teleconverter 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 | Nikon Z TC-1.4× provides 1120 mm; TC-2.0× provides 1600 mm. Nikon warns AF may slow or lose accuracy depending on subject, brightness and focus position |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 4.3 m | 5 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.14× | 0.16× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Silky Swift VCM with optical ABS encoder and internal focusing; FULL and infinity–10 m focus limiter positions | Internal focusing; STM stepping motor, as PetaPixel describes |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focal-plane distance 4.3 m with or without the built-in converter; Cameralabs measured approximately 4.12 m in manual focus | Minimum focus distance 5 m from focal plane; limiter selects Full (infinity–5 m) or infinity–10 m |
| Magnification detail | Maker 0.14× at 600 mm, used in the main specifications; 0.2× with the built-in converter engaged | Maximum reproduction ratio 0.16× |
| Stabilisation detail | 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 | Lens-shift VR using voice-coil motors; five-stop CIPA rating on FX in Normal mode, or 5.5 stops with Z9 Synchro VR |
| Video features | Maker breathing-suppression claim; Cameralabs observes visible focus breathing and recommends refocusing after switching the built-in converter | Nikon describes suppressed focus breathing and stable aperture changes |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 46 mm | 46 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 165 mm | 140 mm |
| Length | 437 mm | 385 mm |
| Weight | 3,260 g | 2,385 g (better) |
| Controls | Configurable control ring, L-Fn controls, Memory Set button and Fn ring for focus recall, A–M switch and lockable built-in converter lever | Memory-set button, one L-Fn and four L-Fn2 buttons; control ring assigns aperture, ISO or exposure compensation. PetaPixel notes VR mode is controlled through the camera |
| Filter detail | 46 mm drop-in filter system, not a front screw-in thread | Rear 46 mm drop-in filter tray, as Digital Camera World and PetaPixel describe |
| Weather resistance | Maker sealing around moving parts and mount gasket; protection is not guaranteed in all conditions | Sealing around moving parts and mount gasket; magnesium-alloy barrel. Nikon does not guarantee dust and drip resistance in all conditions |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 165 mm maximum diameter × 437 mm from the mount flange | Approximately 140 mm maximum diameter × 385 mm from mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately 3,260 g; Cameralabs reports an additional 248 g for the hood | Approximately 2385 g |
| Tripod mount | Rotating tripod collar and foot; Cameralabs notes the standard foot lacks an Arca-Swiss profile | Tripod collar and foot; PetaPixel reports the collar is not removable and lacks 90° click stops |
| In the box | Nikon Japan lists LC-K107 front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HK-43 hood, LN-3 or LN-4 strap and CL-L3 case | LC-K106 front cover, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-104 hood, LN-3 strap and CL-L3 case |
| Release detail | Nikon Japan records 25 November 2022 release, following its planned delivery start on that date; this is the Japanese retail date | Nikon Japan gives 22 April 2022; Nikon USA announced April 2022 availability |
More comparisons
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S