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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 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S — 24–120mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is 2 months newer.

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Wins

1categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

5categories

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

TravelLandscape

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 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 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Weight (630 g vs 1435 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Length (138 mm vs 251 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/4 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Focal Length100-400 mm24-120 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1435 g630 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm67 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 24-120mm f/4 S
Portrait
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
6.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
6.5Good
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

  • Custom function button

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

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

  • Weight

    630 g vs 1435 g — lower is better

  • Length

    138 mm vs 251 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/4 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

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 24-120mm f/4 S

Pros

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

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

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 24-120mm f/4 S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
120 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/4+0.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/4+1 stop wider
Elements
23
20
Groups
17
15
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 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 24-120mm f/4 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Weight
1435 g
630 g−805 g less
Length
251 mm
138 mm−113 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
70 mm−11 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 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.