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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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 6 months newer.

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Wins

1categories

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

5categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S wins 1 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 4 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Min focus distance (40 cm vs 250 cm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Weight (1045 g vs 2950 g)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.2 ×)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Length (200 mm vs 276 mm)
  • ANIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 4.5 stops)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR SFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length400 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
Stabilization5.5 stops4.5 stops
Weight2950 g1045 g
Min Focus250 cm40 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

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II shown to scale

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

88 × 200 mm

1045 g (2.30 lb / 36.86 oz)

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 76mm longer and 16mm wider than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is 1905 g heavier than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
8.0Excellent
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
8.5Excellent
5.5Fair
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

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Fluorite, 1 SR

  • Control ring

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Min focus distance

    40 cm vs 250 cm — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED

  • Weight

    1045 g vs 2950 g — lower is better

  • Length

    200 mm vs 276 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × 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

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
400 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
400 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
18
17
Groups
13
14
Special elements
2 ED, 1 Fluorite, 1 SR
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
250 cm
40 cm−210 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.3 ×+50%
Autofocus motor
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops+22%
4.5 stops
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
2950 g
1045 g−1,905 g less
Length
276 mm
200 mm−76 mm less
Diameter
104 mm
88 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
46 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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.