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Nikon

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S — 100–400mm f/4.5-5.6 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,699

Launch price

Released Dec 2021

vs

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S — 14–24mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2020

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is 1.2 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

LandscapeSports & Action

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S has lower Weight (650 g vs 1435 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S has lower Length (141 mm vs 251 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Focal Length100-400 mm14-24 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/2.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1435 g650 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Portrait
5.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 86 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

  • Weight

    650 g vs 1435 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Length

    141 mm vs 251 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
14 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
24 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/2.8+1.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/2.8+2 stops wider
Elements
23
16
Groups
17
12
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Weight
1435 g
650 g−785 g less
Length
251 mm
141 mm−110 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−5 mm less
86 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.