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

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a full-frame telephoto zoom for the Nikon Z mount, covering 100–400mm with a variable aperture of f/4.5–5.6, built-in VR image stabilisation, weather sealing, and a 25-element optical construction across 20 groups — all in a 1,435g package that's genuinely hand-holdable in the field.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 100–400mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele)
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Lens construction: 25 elements in 20 groups
• Aperture blades: 9 (rounded)
• Image stabilisation: Yes (VR)
• Minimum focus distance: 0.75m
• Maximum magnification: 0.38×
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Weather sealing: Yes
• Weight: 1,435g
• Length: 222mm
• Lens mount: Nikon Z

What makes the Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S special?

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S sits firmly in Nikon's S-Line — the top tier of Nikon's Z-mount lens range — and it shows in optical performance. Center sharpness is excellent wide open at f/4.5, while corner performance peaks between f/5.6 and f/8. Distortion and chromatic aberration are kept impressively low for a zoom covering this range.

Compared to the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3, the 100-400 is lighter and easier to hand-hold for extended sessions, while giving you a more versatile starting point at 100mm for tighter compositions before your subject is fully in range. The 180-600 wins on reach and value-per-mm, but at the cost of size and a heavier minimum focus weight on your wrists.

Against the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS, the NIKKOR Z version holds its own in sharpness and builds a strong case with its 77mm filter thread — smaller and lighter than many rivals in class. Teleconverter compatibility (with the Nikon Z TC-1.4× and TC-2.0×) extends the reach to 560mm or 800mm, making it one of the most versatile telephoto options on the Z platform without switching lenses.

If you need a prime for maximum image quality at 400mm, the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is technically sharper, but it lacks the zoom flexibility that makes the 100-400 so practical. The 9-blade rounded aperture diaphragm produces smooth, circular bokeh, which matters when isolating wildlife subjects against cluttered backgrounds.

Who is the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S for?

Wildlife photographers are the core audience. The 0.75m minimum focus distance — unusually close for a 100-400 — means you can fill the frame with insects, reptiles, or small mammals without backing off. The weather sealing handles dusty safari environments and rain on a grey birding morning equally well.

Sports shooters working outdoor events — football touchlines, athletics, cycling — get a lens that's compact enough to move around with, yet long enough for mid-field action. Autofocus is native and takes full advantage of the subject-tracking systems on mirrorless bodies like the Nikon Z9 or Nikon Z8.

Travel photographers who want telephoto reach without checking a bag will appreciate the 222mm length and the fact that it hand-holds comfortably. A monopod or light tripod unlocks the full reach of the VR system but is not strictly required for daytime shooting.

It's less suited for studio or portrait work — that's not what 100–400mm zoom ranges are built for — but if you're looking for an all-in-one telephoto that covers birding, sports, and occasional macro-adjacent close-ups, this lens covers all three credibly.

Buying a used Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Buying a pre-owned NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a smart way to get S-Line glass without paying the full new price. Because this is a high-use telephoto, it's worth knowing what to check. Every used copy on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed so you can inspect the actual item — not a stock image — before buying.

Key things to verify on any second-hand example: look for wear on the zoom ring barrel (normal cosmetic use), check the front element for cleaning marks under raking light, and confirm the VR switch and AF/MF switch click positively. The 77mm filter thread is a standard size, so any front-element scuffs are easy to spot against a white background.

Minimum 12 months warranty is included as standard, and returns are accepted within 14 days — so if the copy you receive doesn't match its described condition, you're covered. Professionally inspected before dispatch means autofocus, image stabilisation, and aperture function are all confirmed working.