NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S
The 100-400mm S is 1380g lighter, goes wider, to 100mm and reaches further, to 400mm. The 120-300mm TC S is brighter (f/2.8 vs f/4.5).
Key differences
- The 100-400mm S is 1380g lighter (1355g vs 2735g).
- The 120-300mm TC S is faster: f/2.8 vs f/4.5 (≈1.4 stops more light).
- At launch the 100-400mm S cost $11,300 less ($2,700 vs $14,000).
- For close-ups the 100-400mm S reaches 0.38× vs 0.18×.
Which to choose
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Choose it for:
- +The lightest option: 1355g, 1380g less than the next
- +The widest view: starts at 100mm
- +The longest reach: up to 400mm
- +The best close-ups: 0.38× magnification
- +The lowest launch price: $2,700, $11,300 less
- NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Choose it for:
- +The brightest aperture: f/2.8, about 1.4 stops more light
Computed from published specs, confirmed launch prices and, where every lens has at least two reviews, review scores.
- Mount
- Nikon Z (FX)
- Nikon Z (FX)
- Focal length
- 100–400mm
- 120–300mm
- Max aperture
- F4.5–5.6
- F2.8◆
- Weight
- 1,355g◆
- 2,735g
- Dimensions ⌀ × L
- 98.0 × 222.0mm
- 128.0 × 353.5mm
- Volume
- 1675 cm³◆
- 4549 cm³
- Density
- 0.81 g/cm³
- 0.60 g/cm³
- Filter thread
- ⌀77mm
- ⌀112mm
- Min focus
- 0.75m◆
- 0.98m
- Max magnification
- 0.38×◆
- 0.18×
- Elements / groups
- 25 / 20
- 30 / 24
- Aperture blades
- 9
- 9
- Focus drive
- Stepping Motor (STM) x2, Multi-focusing
- Silky Swift VCM (SSVCM)
- Stabilisation
- Yes
- Yes
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- —
- —
- Released
- 2021
- 2026
- MSRP (USD)
- $2,700◆
- $14,000
- Sharpness
- 9.0
- —
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.0
- —
- Autofocus Speed
- 9.0
- —
- Flare Resistance
- 8.7
- —
- Build / Sealing
- 9.1
- —
- Value / Size
- 7.5
- —
Performance overlay
- NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
- NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S
◆ marks the best value in a row. Scores are 0–10 editorial ratings.