NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Svs A6100

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2022) Starting from £2699 new Best for Wildlife, birding & sports photography View NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
VS
Sony A6100 Sony A6100 (2019) Starting from £549 new Best for Beginner, family, travel View A6100

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Wildlife, Birding & Sports Photography — NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2022): S-line quality at 400mm with class-leading VR — the natural pairing for the Z8 or Z9 for anyone serious about wildlife or sports.

Beginner, Family, Travel — A6100 (2019): Best autofocus in its class for the price.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

A6100 (2019)

  • First-time mirrorless buyers who want solid AF
  • Families stepping up from a smartphone

Quick take: The a6100 is the most affordable; only the nikkor z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 vr s is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2022)A6100 (2019)
Price £2,699 £549
Sensor f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) APS-C Exmor CMOS
Resolution — 24.2MP
Video 75cm minimum focus distance 4K 30fps
Autofocus Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking 425-point phase-detect, real-time tracking
Stabilisation 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) None
Burst Rate N/A 11fps
Battery Life N/A 420 shots (CIPA)
Weight 1355g 396g (body only)
Dimensions 98mm diameter × 222mm length 119.9 × 66.9 × 59.4mm
Weather Sealed Yes No
Viewfinder N/A EVF 0.39" 1.44M-dot
Screen N/A 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 921k-dot
Mount Nikon Z-mount Sony E-Mount
Memory Cards N/A SD UHS-I / Memory Stick
Connectivity N/A Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, Micro USB, Micro HDMI

Suitability by genre

Genre NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SA6100
Wildlife
9.0
—
Sports & Action
9.0
7.0
Landscape
7.0
—
Portrait —
7.0
Street —
7.0
Travel —
8.0
Casual —
9.0
Vlogging & Video —
8.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S prices → A6100 prices →

More comparisons with NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A1 → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A1 II → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A6400 → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A6600 → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A6700 → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A7C → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A7C II → Compare NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs A7CR →

Camera family history

Series Sony A6000 Series — every generation →