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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 35mm f/1.8 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S — 35mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$849

Launch price

Released Sep 2018

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is 3.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 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 35mm f/1.8 S has lower Weight (370 g vs 1435 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/4.5)
  • BNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S has lower Length (102 mm vs 251 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
Focal Length100-400 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/1.8
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1435 g370 g
Min Focus38 cm30 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 35mm f/1.8 S
Portrait
5.5Fair
6.0Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
3.5Limited
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
1.5Limited

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

  • Control ring

    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

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S

  • Weight

    370 g vs 1435 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Length

    102 mm vs 251 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 35mm f/1.8 S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • 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 35mm f/1.8 S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/1.8+2.6 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/1.8+3.3 stops wider
Elements
23
10
Groups
17
8
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
Min focus distance
38 cm
30 cm−8 cm less
Max magnification
0.25 ×+67%
0.15 ×
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 35mm f/1.8 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
Weight
1435 g
370 g−1,065 g less
Length
251 mm
102 mm−149 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
70 mm−11 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 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.