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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

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

5categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S wins 1 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 4 categories
  • ANIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 3260 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 280 mm)

Key specs at a glance

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR SFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length600 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight3260 g778 g
Min Focus30 cm40 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseNIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR SFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
2.5Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
9.0Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Weight

    778 g vs 3260 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

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 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

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

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Full specifications

= category winner

NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
600 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
600 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Elements
14
14
Groups
11
10
Special elements
Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−10 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.17 ×+13%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
3260 g
778 g−2,482 g less
Length
280 mm
108 mm−172 mm less
Diameter
81 mm−6 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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