NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Svs A6400
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
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.
Content Creation & Vlogging — A6400 (2019): The best value APS-C Sony you can buy — especially used. Real-time Eye AF at this price point was transformative when it launched and still makes it one of the most reliable autofocus systems in the lineup.
Who should buy what
A6400 (2019)
- Vloggers and content creators who need a flip screen and reliable AF
- Photographers upgrading from a compact or smartphone
- Beginners who want room to grow into a full E-mount lens ecosystem
- Anyone prioritising autofocus performance at an accessible price
Quick take: The a6400 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) | A6400 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,699 | £899 |
| Sensor | f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) | 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS BSI |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | 75cm minimum focus distance | 4K/30p (6K oversampled, no crop), 1080p/120p slow-motion |
| Autofocus | Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking | Phase-detect, 425 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) | None (no IBIS) |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 11fps mechanical, 8fps with AF tracking |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~410 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1355g | 403g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 98mm diameter × 222mm length | 120.0 × 66.9 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 180° flip for selfie/vlog, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | N/A | Micro-USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | A6400 |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — |
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Camera family history