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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

Sony

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 300mm F2.8 — 1470g with XD Linear AF, OSS, and G Master resolution.

$6,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2024

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S wins 3 categories·FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 2 categories
  • BFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS has lower Weight (1470 g vs 2950 g)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has higher Max magnification (0.2 × vs 0.16 ×)
  • BFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS has lower Min focus distance (200 cm vs 250 cm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has lower Diameter (104 mm vs 124 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 5 stops)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR SFE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal Length400 mm300 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stops5 stops
Weight2950 g1470 g
Min Focus250 cm200 cm
Filter Size46 mm40.5 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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

124 × 265 mm

1470 g (3.24 lb / 51.85 oz)

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 11mm longer and 20mm narrower than FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 1480 g heavier than FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.

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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
10.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

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

  • Diameter

    104 mm vs 124 mm — lower is better

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    0.2 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Super ED, 1 ED

  • Weight

    1470 g vs 2950 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    200 cm vs 250 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    265 mm vs 276 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

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 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 300mm F2.8 GM OSS

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

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal length (Min)
400 mm
300 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
300 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
18
21
Groups
13
17
Special elements
2 ED, 1 Fluorite, 1 SR
3 Super ED, 1 ED
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Min focus distance
250 cm
200 cm−50 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×+25%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
2 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops+10%
5 stops
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
Weight
2950 g
1470 g−1,480 g less
Length
276 mm
265 mm−11 mm less
Diameter
104 mm−20 mm less
124 mm
Filter thread size
46 mm
40.5 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
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.