NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Released August 2023

A full-frame 180–600 mm telephoto zoom with internal zooming, optical VR and a removable tripod collar; 1955 g without the collar.

Mount: Nikon Z mount
Focal length: 180–600 mm
Max aperture: f/5.6–6.3
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 1,955 g

What reviewers say

Both find strong image quality, quick and quiet autofocus, pleasing background blur and good value for wildlife and sport. They appreciate the balance of internal zooming but recognise that it remains a substantial lens to carry. ePHOTOzine considers stabilisation effective; CameraLabs measures around four stops on its Z8, below Nikon's 5.5-stop claim. CameraLabs also notes softer close-up corners, imperfect focus retention while zooming and the lack of an Arca-Swiss tripod foot. ePHOTOzine could not run its normal chart test because of weather and bases its sharpness judgement on other methods.

From ephotozine.com, cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and cameralabs.com

Specifications

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Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 180–600 mm
Maximum aperture: f/5.6–6.3
Minimum aperture: f/32–36
Optical construction: 25 elements in 17 groups; internal focusing
Special elements: Six ED elements and one aspherical element
Coatings: Fluorine coating on the front element
Aperture detail: f/5.6–32 at 180 mm; f/6.3–36 at 600 mm. The displayed minimum aperture can vary with the camera's exposure increment
Diaphragm: Nine rounded blades
Angle of view: FX 13°40′–4°10′; DX 9°–2°40′

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Nikon Z mount
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Native Nikon Z mount; FX/full-frame image circle, also usable on DX cameras
Teleconverter support: Supports Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×; Nikon cautions that autofocus or the electronic rangefinder may struggle depending on conditions

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 1.3 m
Maximum magnification: 0.25×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Stepping motor; automatic or manual focusing
Focus distance detail: Minimum focal-plane distances are 1.3 m at 180 mm, 1.36 m at 200 mm, 1.67 m at 300 mm, 1.94 m at 400 mm, 2.19 m at 500 mm and 2.4 m at 600 mm; limiter selects full range or 6 m–infinity
Magnification detail: Nikon publishes maximum 0.25× without separately specifying focal length in its UK table
Stabilisation detail: Optical VR rated at 5.5 stops to CIPA standards with an FX camera, Normal mode and maximum telephoto; CameraLabs achieved around four stops in its handheld Z8 test at 600 mm
Video features: Quiet focusing, clickless control ring and suppressed focus breathing

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 95 mm
Maximum diameter: 110 mm
Length: 315.5 mm
Weight: 1,955 g
Controls: Zoom and customisable focus/control rings, four L-Fn buttons, AF/manual switch and focus limiter
Zoom design: Internal zooming; Nikon states 70° rotation across the range
Filter detail: 95 mm screw-in filters, 1 mm pitch
Weather resistance: Dust and drip resistance, not guaranteed in all conditions; fluorine front coating eases cleaning
Dimensions detail: Approximately 110 mm maximum diameter × 315.5 mm from mount flange
Weight detail: Approximately 1955 g without tripod collar; 2140 g with collar
Tripod mount: Removable collar; CameraLabs confirms two mounting threads and no Arca-Swiss dovetail
Lens hood: HB-109 included
In the box: LC-95B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-109 hood and CL-C6 case; removable tripod collar
Release detail: Nikon USA states August 2023 availability; exact earliest retail day and first UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Nikon describes it as a follow-up to the F-mount 200–500 mm; no cross-mount direct successor link inferred

Pros and cons

Pros

Internal zoom preserves length and balance
Optical stabilisation
Supports Nikon Z teleconverters

Cons

2140 g with tripod collar
f/6.3 maximum aperture at 600 mm
Tripod foot lacks an Arca-Swiss dovetail

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
NikonNIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S	Nikon Z mount	100–400 mm	f/4.5–5.6	Yes	1,355 g	Dec 2021
NikonNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S	Nikon Z mount	600 mm	f/6.3	Yes	1,390 g	Oct 2023
NikonNIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S	Nikon Z mount	400 mm	f/4.5	Yes	1,160 g	Jul 2022

Sources

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

Nikon NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR: side view without tripod collar, focus-switch side: Nikon official press/product library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR: side view with removable tripod collar and foot: Nikon official press/product library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR: front three-quarter view mounted on optional Nikon Z8 body: Nikon official press/product library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR: upright lens campaign image: Nikon official press/product library
Nikon NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR: official exact-model product image: Nikon official press library, exact supplied photograph Z180-600_5-6-6-3_angle2.jpg

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