NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Nikon - Review 🏆

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a premium telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon's range of full-frame mirrorless Z series cameras. Covering a versatile zoom range, this lens offers a 35mm equivalent focal length of 100-400mm, making it ideal for a variety of subjects from landscapes and portraits to wildlife and sports photography.

Key features and specifications:

• Focal Length: 100-400mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-5.6
• Minimum Aperture: f/22-32
• Angle of View: 24° - 6° 10'
• Lens Construction: 17 elements in 11 groups
• Minimum Focus Distance: 1.75 ft (0.53m)
• Maximum Magnification: 0.28x
• Filter Size: 77mm
• Dimensions: 3.5 x 8.7 in (89 x 221 mm)
• Weight: 56.2 oz (1590 g)

With a constant maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6, this lens combines portability and high image quality throughout the zoom range. The advanced optical design incorporates a range of specialized elements to minimize aberrations and deliver sharp, high-resolution images even at the long end. The lens also features fast, quiet autofocus and highly-effective vibration reduction for steadier shots when handholding.

Build Quality

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens features robust, durable construction that can withstand use in tough conditions. The lens barrel and mount are made of metal for stability and strength. The lens has extensive weather sealing throughout, making it dust and moisture resistant. Rubber gaskets seal buttons and rings, preventing entry of water. Fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens elements also repel moisture, oil, and grease. Overall, the build quality is excellent and the lens feels solid in-hand. The materials used can withstand years of professional use in different environments. Photographers who need a telephoto zoom lens for outdoor, nature, sports, or wildlife shooting will appreciate the ruggedness and reliability of this NIKKOR lens. It provides confidence to keep shooting even when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Another great option from Nikon is the Nikon COOLPIX L27. This compact digital camera is designed for ease of use, making it perfect for beginners. It features a 16.1-megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom, allowing you to capture detailed images and videos. The camera also offers various scene modes and easy auto mode to help you get the best shot without complicated settings. Its lightweight design and affordable price make it an excellent choice for everyday photography. With the Nikon COOLPIX L27, capturing memories has never been so simple.

Image Quality

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 delivers outstanding image quality throughout its zoom range. It produces tack-sharp images from edge to edge, even at the maximum 400mm telephoto reach. The level of fine detail and resolution is truly impressive for a zoom lens.

Chromatic aberration, which can cause colored fringing around high-contrast edges, is extremely well controlled. There's minimal fringing even in challenging backlit scenarios. Bokeh, or the quality of the out-of-focus areas, is creamy and smooth. The 9-blade circular aperture diaphragm helps render pleasing bokeh, especially when shooting wide open.

The Nikon Coolpix P1000 is another standout in Nikon's lineup, featuring an incredible 125x optical zoom lens that spans an equivalent focal length range of 24-3000mm. This makes it highly versatile for capturing subjects from vast landscapes to distant wildlife. The P1000 offers a 16.1-megapixel sensor and 4K UHD video recording, ensuring high-quality images and videos. Its advanced image stabilization helps produce sharp results even at extreme zoom levels. The camera also includes a variety of manual controls and shooting modes to cater to both amateur and experienced photographers.

Overall, the image quality rivals what you'd expect from top-tier prime lenses. The sharpness, clarity, contrast and color rendition are excellent. There's minimal distortion or other optical flaws. Photos come out crisp yet natural looking without enhanced edge sharpening needed. It's a fantastic choice for wildlife, sports, landscapes or any application requiring first-rate optics.

Autofocus

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens has extremely fast, accurate, and reliable autofocus performance. The stepping motor autofocus is very fast and nearly silent.

Autofocus speed is lighting fast, even at the long end of the zoom range. The lens snaps into focus instantly in good light. In lower light conditions, it may hunt briefly before locking focus, but overall speed remains excellent.

Autofocus accuracy is superb. The lens nails focus time after time, even on smaller or tricky subjects like birds in flight. The accuracy is boosted by Nikon's advanced subject tracking, which smoothly follows moving subjects around the frame.

Subject tracking ability is exceptional thanks to Nikon's sophisticated tracking algorithms. The lens does an amazing job recognizing, acquiring, and staying locked on subjects as they move. It effortlessly tracks birds, wildlife, athletes, vehicles, and other erratic subjects.

Overall, the autofocus capabilities of this lens are truly impressive. It focuses quickly and accurately on still or moving subjects, making it a great choice for wildlife, sports, and action photography.

Optical Stabilization

The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens features an effective optical stabilization system that provides up to 5 stops of compensation. This allows for sharp images when handholding the lens at slower shutter speeds.

In practice, the stabilization works very well for both still photography and video. When shooting stills, I was able to capture sharp images down to 1/30s which is impressive for a 400mm focal length. The stabilization smooths out small camera movements when composing images through the viewfinder or on the rear LCD.

For video, the stabilization helps produce steady footage when shooting handheld or with slower camera movements. It effectively reduces jitter and shake, allowing for good quality handheld video. Overall, the 5-stop stabilization system is very effective and lives up to Nikon's claims.

Handling

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens features excellent handling characteristics thanks to its ergonomic design and controls. Despite its long zoom range, the lens remains relatively compact and lightweight at just 1355g. The lens body is constructed from high-quality materials with a metal mount, giving it a robust, durable feel that inspires confidence.

The zoom and focus rings are generously sized with ribbed rubber grips, providing a positive grip. The zoom ring rotates smoothly through the range with just the right amount of damping, allowing for precise composition. The focus ring offers a pleasing amount of resistance with a non-linear focus throw, enabling accurate manual focus adjustments.

There are two useful controls located on the lens barrel - a zoom lock switch prevents the lens extending when carried around, while a focus function button can be assigned to control various settings like AF mode. The lens balances very well on Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras, with the center of gravity placed close to the camera body for a natural feel in the hand.

Overall, the handling experience of the Nikon 100-400mm Z-mount lens is excellent. The ergonomic design, lightweight build, and well-placed controls come together to deliver a lens that feels great to use handheld for extended shooting periods. Photographers will find it provides a very intuitive and responsive shooting experience across a diverse range of situations.

Value

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens offers excellent value for the price. At around £2,599 in the UK, it sits in the middle of the premium telephoto zoom range. While not cheap, this lens delivers outstanding image quality and performance for the cost.

When examining the price-to-performance ratio, the Nikon 100-400mm really shines. It utilizes Nikon's latest optical technologies, including anti-reflective nano crystal and ARNEO coatings, ED and aspherical elements, and fluorine coating. Image quality is superb across the zoom range with excellent sharpness, minimal aberrations, and beautiful bokeh.

The lens also has fast, precise autofocus thanks to a stepping motor, allowing for both stills and video capture. The optical stabilization provides up to 5 stops of correction as well. Build quality is robust with extensive weather sealing.

Overall, the Nikon 100-400mm hits well above its weight class optically while still delivering pro-grade handling. While not an inexpensive lens, it provides tremendous value compared to alternatives. For those needing an excellent quality telephoto zoom for a Nikon Z mirrorless body, it's hard to beat the price-to-performance ratio offered by this lens.

Alternatives

When looking for an ultra telephoto zoom lens compatible with Nikon Z mount cameras, there are a few other options to consider besides the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6:

Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 offers a constant f/2.8 aperture, making it better suited for low light situations. It has excellent image quality and fast autofocus but doesn't reach the 400mm focal length of the 100-400mm. The 70-200mm is heavier, larger, and more expensive.

Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD

Tamron's 100-400mm offers similar focal range and aperture to the Nikkor but at a lower price point. Image quality and autofocus speed are very good but not quite on par with the Nikkor. The Tamron is lighter weight but not as rugged. It lacks the optical stabilization of the Nikkor.

Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS

Another third party option, the Sigma 100-400mm is the least expensive of the bunch. Optical performance is quite good but autofocus speed and accuracy falls a bit behind the Nikkor. The Sigma's biggest limitations are the dimmer f/5-6.3 aperture and slightly lower build quality.

Nikon Z 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

For even more reach, the Nikon Z 200-600mm zooms in further but has a narrower max aperture. It's larger and heavier than the 100-400mm but has excellent image quality. The tradeoff is less low light versatility and slower autofocus. But it extends focal length up to 600mm.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent image stabilization allows for handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds
• Fast and accurate autofocus performance, even for moving subjects
• Very good optical quality across zoom range
• Useful zoom range for wildlife and sports photography
• Weather sealed construction
• Control ring can be customized for exposure settings
• Relatively compact and lightweight for its class

Cons

• Expensive compared to 100-400mm lenses for DSLRs
• Some vignetting and distortion, especially at 100mm
• Tripod foot not removable
• No built-in flash like some Nikon supertelephotos
• Less reach than 150-600mm lenses from third parties

Overall, the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 offers superb image quality and handling in a relatively portable design. The optical stabilization is extremely effective, and autofocus performance is fast and accurate. The main drawbacks are the high price and slightly limited 400mm maximum focal length compared to some alternatives. But for Nikon Z mirrorless shooters needing a high quality supertelephoto zoom, it's an excellent choice.

Conclusion

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens is an excellent choice for Nikon Z series mirrorless camera owners looking for a versatile, high-quality super telephoto zoom. Its lightweight yet durable construction makes it well-suited for handheld shooting, while the fast and silent autofocus motor ensures reliable performance for action shots.

Image quality is superb across the zoom range, producing sharp, vivid results even at the long end. The built-in vibration reduction effectively minimizes blur from camera shake for crisper shots. Overall, the lens handles very well with smooth zoom and focus rings.

Considering its professional-grade optics and construction, the Nikon 100-400mm delivers outstanding value. While not cheap, it costs significantly less than comparable pro-level super telephoto zooms for DSLRs. For Nikon Z series shooters needing extended reach, it's hard to beat the combination of performance, quality, and reach this lens provides.

Its few drawbacks like the slower variable aperture don't detract much from its overall capabilities. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is easy to recommend for Z series owners seeking a high-quality super telephoto zoom. It's an ideal multi-purpose option, great for wildlife, sports, landscapes, and more.