Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
Announced June 29, 2022
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
Exceptional
Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is a remarkably portable and lightweight telephoto prime that delivers consistently sharp, high-contrast imagery. While its f/4.5 aperture is not as fast as some alternatives, the lens provides an impressive balance of handling and optical performance for handheld shooting.
Weighted from 15 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, accurate, and silent autofocus performance
- Outstanding image sharpness and contrast across the frame
- Exceptional portability due to its lightweight and compact design
- Highly effective image stabilization for handheld photography
- Robust build quality featuring weather sealing
Cons
- Limited close-focusing capabilities
- Significant price point that may not suit all budgets
- Noticeable focus breathing during focus pulls
- Suboptimal performance when using teleconverters
- Absence of certain high-end features like an OLED data display
- Launch price $3,249.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 400mm f/4.5
- Mount & coverage Nikon Z Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5.5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus (0.16x)
- Filter thread 95mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 1245g (2 lb 11.9 oz) · 104 x 234.5 mm (4.09 x 9.23 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 15 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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Nikon’s Z 400mm f4.5 VR S is a very good telephoto prime lens of an unrivalled low weight.
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Nikon Z users have a lot to like about the 400mm f/4.5, and very little to dislike. It’s sharp, it focuses quickly, and it weighs very little. There are no major compromises with the lens’s image quality, handling, or build quality.
- Christopher Frost 10/10
[W]ell, the Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S largely justifies its rather huge price tag with a clean sweep of absolutely excellent image quality combined with an enjoyably portable lightweight design, and I—well, I just love it.
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Physical dimensions and weight of this instrument make it completely portable, a very nice companion on even long walks.
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Nikon's been nailing the Nikkor lineup, producing best-in-class after best-in-class efforts here in the mirrorless world with the various S lenses. The 400mm f/4.5 VR S is no exception.
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I think Nikon hit it out of the park with the design of this; it looks good, it feels good, and I just can't get over how lightweight this is.
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A fast, slick ultra-telephoto lens that delivers highest quality images.
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The Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is a superb super-telephoto prime lens for Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras, offering a compelling mix of low weight and compactness, a rich feature-set and impeccable image quality.
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Sure it doesn’t have a super-fast aperture rating but the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S ticks every other box on a photographer’s wish list for a super-tele prime.
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The Nikkor Z 400mm F4.5 VR S is a standout telephoto lens that puts exemplary optics in a lightweight frame for a very reasonable price.
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That’s a pretty unbalanced list above, and that’s because the Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is an outstanding lens. It’s very sharp, with beautiful rendering characteristics, and it has wonderful optical performance in a very compact and light weight body.
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This is an astonishing lens. I'm blown away by this lens.
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This 400mm f/4.5 is Nikon's lightest 400mm autofocus lens. While it doesn't focus very close and doesn't zoom, it is a very light way to carry a 400mm lens.
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Now, in terms of performance, yes, another one is better, but this one is so much lighter, so much cheaper, and performs really, really well.
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First of all, it's really an awesome lens. The weight is so nice, it handles amazingly, autofocus is good, image stabilizer is amazing, the image quality is good, I like the look of the picture, so yes, I really liked it.
