Photo 1 of 7
Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S · Nikon UK lens photograph
Nikon · NIKKOR
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
A full-frame super-telephoto zoom with optical VR, a multi-focusing system and a removable tripod mount.
- Mount
- Nikon Z mount
- Focal length
- 100–400 mm
- Max aperture
- f/4.5–5.6
- Stabilisation
- Yes
- Weight
- 1,355 g
What reviewers say
Both praise its sharpness across the zoom range, fast and quiet autofocus, effective stabilisation and solid construction. Photography Blog found it cumbersome on a small body, while Digital Camera World measured weaker edges towards the long end in close-range chart tests. Both flag its substantial weight and high price despite its versatile reach and close focusing.
From digitalcameraworld.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and photographyblog.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specOptics
- Lens type
- Zoom
- Focal length
- 100–400 mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/4.5–5.6
- Minimum aperture
- f/32–40
- Optical construction
- Twenty-five elements in twenty groups
- Special elements
- Six ED and two Super ED elements
- Coatings
- Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat; fluorine coating on the front element
- Diaphragm
- Nine rounded blades
- Angle of view
- FX 24°20′–6°10′; DX 16°–4°
Mount and compatibility
- Mounts
- Nikon Z mount
- Image circle
- Full frame
- Compatibility
- Nikon Z full-frame and DX cameras. Nikon Japan says mounting this lens disables selection of the mechanical-shutter setting, leaving Auto or electronic front-curtain options; use the latest camera firmware
- Teleconverter support
- Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x and TC-2.0x supported; maximum focal length becomes 560 or 800 mm. Nikon warns focusing can take longer or become less reliable depending on subject, brightness and focus point
Focus and stabilisation
- Autofocus
- Yes
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.75 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.38×
- Optical stabilisation
- Yes
- Autofocus detail
- Multi-focusing system with two stepping motors
- Focus distance detail
- Internal focusing; minimum distances from focal plane 0.75 m at 100 mm, 0.78 m at 135 mm, 0.8 m at 200 mm, 0.87 m at 300 mm and 0.98 m at 400 mm
- Magnification detail
- Maximum reproduction ratio 0.38× at 400 mm; 0.16× at 100 mm, as Nikon Japan specifies
- Stabilisation detail
- Lens-shift VR with voice-coil motors. Nikon rates 5.5 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on a full-frame camera at maximum telephoto
- Video features
- Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet autofocus and smooth aperture control
Design
- Dust and moisture resistant
- Yes
- Filter diameter
- 77 mm
- Maximum diameter
- 98 mm
- Length
- 222 mm
- Weight
- 1,355 g
- Controls
- Focus-mode and FULL/infinity–3 m limiter switches; zoom and focus rings, assignable control ring, L-Fn controls and display button. Photography Blog identifies aperture, focus-distance and focal-length display options
- Zoom design
- Barrel extends towards 400 mm; Nikon's Inner Balance Technology minimises centre-of-gravity movement. Zoom ring turns through 80°
- Filter detail
- 77 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch
- Weather resistance
- Dust and drip protection; complete resistance is not guaranteed in all conditions
- Dimensions detail
- Approximately 98 × 222 mm; length from lens mount at 100 mm
- Weight detail
- Approximately 1,355 g without tripod collar; 1,435 g with it
- Tripod mount
- Rotating collar with removable foot, as Photography Blog describes
- Lens hood
- HB-103 hood included
- In the box
- LC-77B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-103 hood and CL-C3 case
- Release detail
- Nikon Korea explicitly gives 16 December 2021 as the release and promotion start date; Nikon USA announced availability within 2021. Nikon Japan's regional on-sale date was later, 4 February 2022
Pros and cons
Pros
- Optical VR rated at 5.5 stops under Nikon's stated conditions
- Maximum reproduction ratio of 0.38× at 400 mm
- Compatible with Nikon Z teleconverters
Cons
- Maximum aperture narrows to f/5.6 at 400 mm
- 1,435 g with tripod collar
- Zooming extends the barrel
Closest rivals
Model | Mount | Focal length | Max aperture | Stabilisation | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Z mount | 180–600 mm | f/5.6–6.3 | Yes | 1,955 g | Aug 2023 | |
| Nikon Z mount | 70–200 mm | f/2.8 | Yes | 1,360 g | Aug 2020 | |
| Nikon Z mount | 28–400 mm | f/4–8 | Yes | 725 g | Apr 2024 |
Sources
- nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-100-400mm-f4.5-5.6-vr-s
- nikonusa.com/press-room/10-28-lens-wwa
- nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/nikkor/zmount/nikkor_z_100-400mm_f45-56_vr_s
- nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/nikkor/zmount/nikkor_z_100-400mm_f45-56_vr_s/feat…
- nikc.nikon.com/ad/press/view/763
- photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6_vr_s_review
- digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/nikon-z-100-400mm-f45-56-vr-s-review
Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, alternate standalone side view: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161554-en-z100-400_4.5-5.6_angle2-v44CA92530…
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, standalone side view with tripod foot: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161555-en-z100-400_4.5-5.6_angle3-v37CFF8B48…
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, alternate standalone side view with tripod foot: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161556-en-z100-400_4.5-5.6_angle4-v696DCA57F…
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S mounted on Nikon Z6II, front three-quarter view: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161557-en-z6ii_100-400_4.5-5.6_front34l-v73A…
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S with Nikon Z TC-2.0x teleconverter and Nikon Z6II; separated product configuration: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/161559-en-z6ii_100-400_4.5-5.6_tc2.0-v4502E8…
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S — Z6II 100-400 4.5-5.6 TC1.4: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z6II_100-400_4.5-5.6_TC1.4.jpg


