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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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR — 18–140mm f/3.5-6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$399

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is 1.1 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

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

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

4categories

NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

TravelVideo & Hybrid

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S wins 1 categories·NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR wins 4 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Weight (315 g vs 1435 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Length (94 mm vs 251 mm)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/3.5 vs f/4.5)
  • BNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 81 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/5.6 vs f/6.3)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SNIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Focal Length100-400 mm18-140 mm
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/3.5-6.3
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight1435 g315 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm62 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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Portrait
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Wildlife
9.5Excellent
3.5Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Weather sealing

    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 aperture (Tele)

    f/5.6 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

  • Weight

    315 g vs 1435 g — lower is better

  • Length

    94 mm vs 251 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/3.5 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • 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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
18 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
140 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4.5
f/3.5+0.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6+0.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
23
23
Groups
17
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
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 DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Weight
1435 g
315 g−1,120 g less
Length
251 mm
94 mm−157 mm less
Diameter
81 mm
65 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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