Although I gave the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S high praise on the previous page of this review, it’s hardly the only telephoto lens for Nikon’s Z system. How does the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S stack up against the alternatives? I’ve done detailed side-by-side tests to help answer that question!
Versus the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is one of the single sharpest lenses we’ve ever tested – not just zooms, but all lenses. A good lens is about more than just sharpness, but the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S does almost everything else well, too.
On balance, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S beats the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S in image quality in the shared focal lengths from 100mm to 200mm. However, once you add a teleconverter to the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 to reach beyond 200mm, it starts to look worse than the 100-400mm. So, in short, it’s a question of whether you prioritize 100-200mm image quality, or 201-400mm image quality :)
To keep the length of this review manageable, I’ve compiled our full lab test results between these two lenses on the following page:
Versus the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3
A much cheaper alternative to the Nikon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is Tamron’s 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3. This is Tamron’s first “official” lens for the Z system, although they also partnered with Nikon on the Nikon-brand Z 17-28mm f/2.8, Z 28-75mm f/2.8, and Z 70-180mm f/2.8 zooms. So, how does it perform?
Although the Tamron isn’t a bad lens, it’s hardly a fair comparison. We are talking about a $700 third-party lens compared to a $2700 pro-level Nikkor, and you can probably guess the outcome. The Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S wins in practically every regard, from build quality to sharpness. By comparison, the main advantages of the Tamron are simply that it’s much lighter and less expensive then the Z 100-400mm, while still managing good enough performance.
Our complete head-to-head comparison of sharpness data and other test results can be found here:
Versus the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
If your goal is to maximize reach, the Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is the most obvious choice in Nikon’s lineup. However, another alternative is to use the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S along with the 2x teleconverter. Granted, you end up with a maximum aperture of f/11 instead of f/6.3, but what about pure image quality?
In short, the 800mm prime is the clear winner at that point. I’m a big proponent of using long lenses instead of using a shorter lens + TC when you need a lot of reach. You can read my full comparison that includes vignetting, bokeh, focus speed, and other details at this link. Here’s the sharpness comparison, though – as you can see, it’s not even close!
Other Competitors
Aside from the lenses I’ve compared above, there are still a few other lenses you should consider as a Nikon Z shooter. The first is the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S. Libor has already written a full field review of that lens, and he stated that its sharpness is similar to the best-in-class Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. I’m looking forward to testing it in the lab soon. If 400mm is your only goal, I would get the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 instead of the 100-400mm zoom – not just because of image quality, but also because of the wider maximum aperture at 400mm.
Another option is the Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF, a DSLR lens that is very popular to adapt to the Z system. Like with the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5, I would get the 500mm f/5.6 PF if you mainly care about reach and don’t need the versatility of a zoom. The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF is an excellent performer, although from a handling standpoint, I prefer native Nikon Z lenses rather than adapting F-mount glass.
Finally, there’s the Nikon Z 70-180mm f/2.8. This lens doesn’t reach 400mm even with the 2x teleconverter (you’re at 360mm instead), and it doesn’t have all the high-end handling features of the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. Nevertheless, it’s a good balance of weight, image quality, and features. It’s also a great choice for close-up photography thanks to the high maximum magnification. I’m looking forward to testing it in the lab, but I expect that with the teleconverter, the 70-180mm f/2.8 won’t be at the same level as the 100-400mm optically.
Our Thoughts
Spencer: The versatility of the Z 100-400mm is really apparent compared to the alternatives. There isn’t another lens for the Z system with this combination of zoom range and image quality.
Nasim: Yes, but one question that photographers need to ask themselves is about the maximum aperture. The f/4.5-5.6 range isn’t very bright compared to f/2.8. For focal lengths under 200mm, I would prefer the Z 70-200mm f/2.8.
Spencer: It’s a matter of balance. The 70-200mm f/2.8 is a better choice in the 100-200mm range, and the 400mm f/4.5 is ideal at 400mm specifically. But neither of those lenses has the versatility of a 100-400mm zoom.
Nasim: Yes, everything is a balance!
The next page of this review sums up everything and explains the pros and cons of the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S. So, click the menu below to go to “Verdict”:
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