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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
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

1categories

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

5categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S wins 1 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 250 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 2950 g)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 276 mm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.2 ×)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length400 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight2950 g695 g
Min Focus250 cm21 cm
Filter Size46 mm82 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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 156mm longer and 16mm wider than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 2255 g heavier than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

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 SFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Wildlife
8.5Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Fluorite, 1 SR

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S supports it

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 250 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 2950 g — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 Super ED

  • Length

    120 mm vs 276 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.2 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
400 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
18
20
Groups
13
15
Special elements
2 ED, 1 Fluorite, 1 SR
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
250 cm
21 cm−229 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.32 ×+60%
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
2950 g
695 g−2,255 g less
Length
276 mm
120 mm−156 mm less
Diameter
104 mm
88 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
46 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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