NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S
Launch MSRP
$4,800- Weight
- 1,470g
- Filter
- ⌀95mm
- Min focus
- 4.00m
- Max mag.
- 0.15×
- Formula
- 21E / 14G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x PF
- 2x ED
- 1x SR
- Nano Crystal Coat
- Fluorine Coat
- Aperture range
- f/6.3 — f/32
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,470g
- ⌀ × length
- 106.5 × 278.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀95mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- 1.4x · 2.0x
- AF speed score
- 8.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 4.00m
- Max magnification
- 0.15× (1:6.7)
Optical character
The 600mm f/6.3 VR S uses a Phase Fresnel (PF) element to fit 600mm into a lens 278mm long that weighs 1390g without its foot. That makes it the lightest 600mm prime for full-frame mirrorless and a lens wildlife photographers can hand-hold for a full day, carry on a hike or pack alongside a second body.
Besides the PF element it has two ED elements and an SR element, with Nano Crystal Coat and a fluorine-coated front element. A stepping motor drives focus, VR is rated at 5.5 stops (6 with Synchro VR), and the barrel has two L-Fn buttons, a control ring and a focus limiter. The Z teleconverters extend it to 840mm f/9 or 1200mm f/13.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers find it sharp wide open across the frame, with clean, high-contrast images and practically no colour fringing. It is sharper at 600mm than the 180-600mm zoom and far smaller, and it holds up well with the TC-1.4x. Bokeh is smooth for an f/6.3 lens, though not as soft as the f/4 exotics.
As with all PF lenses, strong point light sources in or near the frame can produce coloured ring-shaped flare, and reviewers advise care with backlit water and sun glints. Autofocus is fast and quiet, but f/6.3 limits light early and late in the day, and the 4m minimum focus is long for small birds at close range.
Owner sentiment
Owners love the weight and size, and many say it replaced a heavier zoom or the F-mount 500mm PF in their bag. Handheld keeper rates on Z8 and Z9 bodies are reported to be high thanks to the VR and the balance.
The usual complaints are the PF flare with specular highlights, the slow aperture in dull light, and the price compared with the 180-600mm zoom. Some find the 95mm filters and the separately sold replacement hood expensive.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +1390g without the foot, very light for 600mm
- +Sharp wide open with little fringing
- +5.5-stop VR (6 with Synchro VR)
- +Compact 278mm length
- +Works with Z teleconverters
Weaknesses
- −PF ring flare with bright point lights
- −f/6.3 is slow in poor light
- −Costs much more than the 180-600mm zoom
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.1
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.2
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.6
- Flare Resistance
- 7.8
- Build / Sealing
- 8.8
- Value / Size
- 8.3
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Nikon Z (FX) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 600mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/32 |
| Construction | 21 elements in 14 groups |
| Special elements | 1x PF · 2x ED · 1x SR · Nano Crystal Coat · Fluorine Coat |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Stepping Motor (STM) |
| Minimum focus | 4.00m |
| Max magnification | 0.15× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | 1.4x, 2.0x |
| Weight | 1,470g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 106.5 × 278.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀95mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $4,800 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/lens/z-mount/z_600mmf63_vr_s/
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1789975-REG/nikon_20122_nikkor_z_600mm_f_6_3.html
- photographylife.com/news/nikon-z-600mm-f-6-3-vr-s-announced
- digitalcameraworld.com/news/new-nikon-z-600mm-f63-vr-s-promises-supertelephoto-han
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
- VSNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
- VSNIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S vs NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
- NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S
600mmF4- WT
- 3,260g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 4.30m
- MSRP
- $15,500
AFSTABWR - Nikon
NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
180–600mmF5.6–6.3- WT
- 1,955g
- FLT
- ⌀95mm
- MFD
- 1.30m
- MSRP
- $1,700
AFSTABWR - NikonS-Line
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
800mmF6.3- WT
- 2,385g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 5.00m
- MSRP
- $6,500
AFSTABWR
