NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
Launch MSRP
$1,300- Weight
- 725g
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Min focus
- 0.20m
- Max mag.
- 0.35×
- Formula
- 21E / 15G
- Released
- 2024
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 4x ED
- 3x Aspherical
- Super Integrated Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4–8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 725g
- ⌀ × length
- 84.5 × 141.5mm
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.8 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.20m
- Max magnification
- 0.35× (1:2.9)
Optical character
At launch this was the first full-frame mirrorless zoom to go from 28mm to 400mm: a 14.3x range in 725g with 5-stop VR. It is built for people who want one lens for a trip, a zoo, a safari or a kid's game, and who accept a slow aperture to avoid carrying a telephoto.
Close focus is unusually good at the wide end, 0.2m and 0.35x at 28mm, so small subjects are easy. Synchro VR raises stabilisation to 5.5 stops on compatible bodies. The barrel has a zoom lock, a control ring and Nikon's dust and drip resistance, and a quiet stepping motor drives AF. The trade-off is f/8 from the long middle range onward.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it better than expected for a 14x zoom. The centre is sharp throughout, including at 400mm, while edges and corners lag and do best from f/8 to f/16. VR is effective and AF is reliable for general subjects, though not built for fast action in poor light.
The obvious limits are f/8 at the long end, which demands high ISO for wildlife at dawn or dusk, heavy reliance on in-camera distortion and vignetting correction, and modest bokeh. Testers see it as a travel tool rather than a replacement for the 100-400mm or 180-600mm.
Owner sentiment
Owners like leaving every other lens at home and still having 400mm for birds or sports. They praise the weight, the close focus and how usable the files are in daylight. Many pair it with a Z6III or Z8 for travel.
The complaints are f/8 in dim light, softer corners at 400mm, zoom creep without the lock, and that heat haze and slow shutter speeds at 400mm show up more than people expect. Some note it costs more than the 24-200mm for a smaller step in quality than in reach.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +28-400mm (14.3x) in 725g
- +0.35x close focus at 28mm
- +5-stop VR (5.5 with Synchro VR)
- +Sharp centre even at 400mm
- +Zoom lock and weather sealing
Weaknesses
- −f/8 from the long middle range
- −Soft edges at 400mm wide open
- −Busy bokeh, limited subject isolation
- −Relies on in-camera corrections
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 6.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.8
- Flare Resistance
- 7.6
- Build / Sealing
- 7.8
- Value / Size
- 8.4
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 28–400mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/4–8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 21 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | 4x ED · 3x Aspherical · Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) |
| Minimum focus | 0.20m |
| Max magnification | 0.35× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 725g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 84.5 × 141.5mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀77mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,300 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_28-400mmf4-8_vr/
- nikonusa.com/press-room/28-400mm
- nikon.com/company/news/2024/0327_imaging_01/
- photographyblog.com/reviews/nikon_z_28_400mm_f4_8_vr_review/sharpness_4
- amateurphotographer.com/review/nikon-z-28-400mm-f-4-8-vr-review-worth-the-compromis
- kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/28-400mm.htm
- cameralabs.com/nikon-z-28-400mm-f4-8-vr-review/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8
- VSNIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (Nikon Z)
- VSNIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR vs NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon
NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8
70–180mmF2.8- WT
- 795g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.27m
- MSRP
- $1,250
AFWR - TamronDi III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (Nikon Z)
70–180mmF2.8- WT
- 865g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.30m
- MSRP
- $1,149
AFSTABWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
70–200mmF2.8- WT
- 1,360g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.50m
- MSRP
- $2,600
AFSTABWR
