Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

Nikon Z Mount

Built-in 1.4× teleconverter (560mm F4) super-telephoto with S-line optics and VR.

$13,999

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

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 2 months newer.

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.

Wins

6categories

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S wins 2 categories
  • BNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 250 cm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has higher Max magnification (0.2 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • BNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 104 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR SNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Focal Length400 mm600 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountNikon ZNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stops5 stops
Weight2950 g3260 g
Min Focus250 cm30 cm
Filter Size46 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

104 × 276 mm

2950 g (6.50 lb / 104.06 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

81 × 280 mm

3260 g (7.19 lb / 114.99 oz)

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 4mm shorter and 23mm wider than NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 310 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR SNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
8.5Excellent
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 1 Fluorite, 1 SR

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Weight

    2950 g vs 3260 g — lower is better

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    0.2 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

  • Length

    276 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 250 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 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

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 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC 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 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Focal length (Min)
400 mm
600 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
600 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Elements
18
14
Groups
13
11
Special elements
2 ED, 1 Fluorite, 1 SR
Aspherical
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Min focus distance
250 cm
30 cm−220 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×+33%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops+10%
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
Weight
2950 g−310 g less
3260 g
Length
276 mm−4 mm less
280 mm
Diameter
104 mm
81 mm−23 mm less
Filter thread size
46 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC 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 June 2026.