Our Verdict: The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Nikon has been on fire with their Z-series telephoto lenses. The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is no exception, sporting some of the most versatile and high-performance optics we’ve ever tested, especially in a zoom lens. In everything from close-focusing distance to sharpness, the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S is best-in-class.
That said, the lens isn’t for everyone, in part because it’s on the large and heavy side of things. It goes to show that mirrorless cameras are no longer the smaller/lighter alternative to DSLRs, but instead the camera system that has replaced the DSLR (not that you necessarily need to switch). The 100-400mm is, without a doubt, a “DSLR sized” or “Nikon Z9 sized” lens. Nikon didn’t prioritize portability with the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, but rather performance.
Here’s how I’d sum up the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Best-in-class optical performance in almost every regard, especially sharpness and flare
- Beautiful bokeh with a soft and creamy look
- Remarkable autofocus with among the fastest speeds we’ve seen
- Close focusing distance allows for near-macro photography at a great working distance
- Excellent build quality, with tight tolerances and advanced weather sealing
- Nikon’s most advanced design features like dual control rings, two function buttons, and an EL display
Cons:
- Bokeh quality and sharpness drop meaningfully with the teleconverters, especially the 2.0x TC
- Large and heavy design that is hardly portable
- Tripod collar has the usual issue of not being Arca-Swiss compatible
- Narrow maximum aperture (and variable aperture) of f/4.5-5.6 is not ideal in low light
All in all, the pros clearly outweigh the cons – and none of the cons are really surprising. If you went into this review thinking that the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 was a lightweight lens with an f/2.8 maximum aperture, which didn’t lose sharpness with teleconverters, I’d have a few questions for you.
What about the $2700 price? It’s not a cheap lens, but that’s to be expected. By comparison, the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is the same price, and the Z 400mm f/4.5 is even more expensive at $3250. For photographers on a budget, the obvious alternative is the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3. Although the Tamron lens only reaches 300mm and loses to the 100-400mm in performance, it’s a small lens and only costs $700 ($600 with the current sale).
What does all that mean if you’re considering getting the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S? While there are plenty of telephoto alternatives for the Z system, it’s a question of strengths and weaknesses. The Z 400mm f/4.5 is your best choice for performance at 400mm (short of the exotics). The Z 70-200mm f/2.8 is a killer lens, but it’s definitely weaker with the 1.4x or 2.0x TCs. As for the Tamron 70-300mm, it’s cheap and lightweight, but not at the same level as these other lenses.
I believe that you should pick the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 if versatility is your most important consideration. It’s a great performer with a huge zoom range. On top of that, the close focusing distance is enough to replace a macro lens for many photographers. And since the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S pairs pretty well with the 1.4x teleconverter, you can extend to 560mm f/8 with reasonable image quality. In short, the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is arguably Nikon’s most versatile telephoto lens yet.
The only flaws with this lens are unsurprising – namely, the large size and weight, and the relatively narrow f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture. If those are things that you can accept for your photography, the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S will reward you with ultra fast focusing, best-in-class optical performance, and excellent build quality. It’s an extremely well-rounded lens.
I hope that you found this review of the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S to be helpful in making your decision. If you want to purchase the lens, you can thank Photography Life for all the work that went into this review by using the link below:
The next page of this review has some more sample photos from the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, followed by reader comments on the final page. Click the menu below to jump to the section you want:
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
- Optical Performance
- Features
- Build Quality
- Focus Speed and Accuracy
- Handling
- Size and Weight
- Value
Photography Life Overall Rating
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