Nikon Nikkor Z 28-400 mm f/4-8 VR
Announced March 27, 2024
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR provides an exceptionally versatile zoom range in a relatively compact, lightweight form factor for travel photography. While it offers impressive convenience and effective image stabilization, the variable aperture and optical compromises at the long end mean it cannot match the performance of premium S-line or prime lenses.
Weighted from 21 reviewer scores
Pros
- Extremely broad 14.3x zoom range
- Compact and lightweight design for its reach
- Effective optical vibration reduction
- Fast, quiet autofocus performance
- Useful close-focusing and macro capabilities
Cons
- Slow variable aperture reaching f/8 at the long end
- Softness and reduced contrast at longer focal lengths
- Lack of physical switches for AF/MF or VR
- Significant distortion and vignetting at 28mm
- External zooming design that extends significantly
- Launch price $1,299.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 28-400mm f/4-8
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 20 cm (0.35x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Autofocus motor STM
- Weight & size 725g · 86 x 141.5 mm (3.39 x 5.57 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 21 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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The Z 28-400mm f4-8 VR offers an enormous 14.3x zoom range in a pretty compact and lightweight package.
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A remarkable zoom range with better-than-expected build quality and optics, but still a superzoom.
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It gives you huge scope to shoot a wide range of subjects – and on the whole it does that fairly well – but it’ll never produce the sharpest or best shots that your camera is likely capable of.
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It's great to play with a lens that makes photography more simple and fun like this, so yes, I'm impressed and it comes recommended.
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As an all-around safari or travel lens, the 28-400mm f/4-8 VR has flexibility no other lens has while delivering central area results that are pretty darned good.
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[N]ikon's done a fantastic job on this lens.
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If you only want one do-it-all lens for your Nikon Z-series full-frame mirrorless camera, then the super-versatile Z 28‑400mm f/4‑8 VR certainly fits the bill.
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So at the end of the day, great job Nikon for putting out an option like this. Yes, $1,200 is a good Amount of money, but the people that know that they want something that's 28 to 400, this is the only option you're going to have, and it's that one lens to rule them all.
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The image quality and all-round performance are sufficiently impressive to make this lens an excellent travel companion.
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The Nikon Nikkor Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR travel zoom is wide enough for landscapes and long enough for wildlife, though its optical formula limits low-light photo ops.
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The Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is an attractive multi-purpose lens for amateurs and enthusiasts, with its wide-angle-to-super-telephoto focal range making it suitable for a wide variety of subjects.
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[T]his is a versatile lens and that's the one for you.
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This is absolutely an awesome option.
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This Z 28-400mm VR does just about everything from wide-angle to macro to ultra-tele, and it's small and light, especially considering its huge zoom range, has great stabilization and great sunstars and of course it's sharp.
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The 28-400 also makes another important tradeoff that will be an issue for some photographers. The maximum aperture is a decent f/4 at the short end of its zoom but increases rapidly towards the f/8 maximum at the long end.
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For a thousand bucks on sale, it's fantastic. And I suggest you grab one.
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With all of the attributes travel photographers need, the Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the ultimate everyday superzoom.
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Even better for travel lens, really, really good. If you shoot birds and you want to shoot some landscape type stuff or family and friends, really, really good.
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The daylight performance is very good, it’s well built and overall gives a good performance. The performance in lowlight could be better though.
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This is a beautiful aesthetic camera lens combination and I can recommend this lens for certain applications.
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This is the best telephoto lens that you can get for landscape photography and that's all you need to know.
