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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 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct — 58mm f/0.95 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$7,999

Launch price

Released Oct 2019

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is 2.1 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

PortraitSports & Action

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct wins 2 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/0.95 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/0.95 vs f/4.5)
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has lower Weight (1435 g vs 1600 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has lower Length (251 mm vs 274 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Focal Length100-400 mm58 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/0.95
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1435 g1600 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 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 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Portrait
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
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

  • Weight

    1435 g vs 1600 g — lower is better

  • Length

    251 mm vs 274 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/0.95 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/0.95 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

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 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Pros

  • Bright f/0.95 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

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 58mm f/0.95 S Noct at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
58 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
58 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/0.95+4.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/0.95+5.1 stops wider
Elements
23
14
Groups
17
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
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 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Weight
1435 g−165 g less
1600 g
Length
251 mm−23 mm less
274 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
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.