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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 600mm f/4 TC VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S — 600mm f/4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$15,499

Launch price

Released Jun 2022

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S is 6 months newer.

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Wins

3categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 2 categories·NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S wins 3 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has lower Weight (1435 g vs 3260 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/4 vs f/5.6)
  • BNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/4 vs f/4.5)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Focal Length100-400 mm600 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1435 g3260 g
Min Focus38 cm30 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 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Portrait
5.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Weight

    1435 g vs 3260 g — lower is better

  • Length

    251 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/4 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

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 600mm f/4 TC VR S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • 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

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 600mm f/4 TC VR S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR 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 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
600 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
600 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
14
Groups
17
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR 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 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Weight
1435 g−1,825 g less
3260 g
Length
251 mm−29 mm less
280 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR 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.