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.
Compact Travel & Content Creation — A7C (2020): The A7C proves full-frame doesn't have to be bulky. Excellent battery life, reliable Eye AF and a vari-angle screen in a pocketable body is a compelling combination for travel and content creators. The A7C II improved on it, but the original remains a strong value buy.
Who should buy what
A7C (2020)
Quick take: The a7c 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) | A7C (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,699 | £1,299 |
| Sensor | f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) | 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 24.2MP |
| Video | 75cm minimum focus distance | 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion, S-Log2/S-Log3 |
| Autofocus | Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking | Phase-detect, 693 points, real-time Eye AF & animal AF |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 10fps with AF/AE tracking |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~740 shots (CIPA) — outstanding for a Sony mirrorless |
| Weight | 1355g | 509g (body, battery, card) |
| Dimensions | 98mm diameter × 222mm length | 124.0 × 71.1 × 59.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | None built-in — use rear screen or accessory EVF |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony E-mount |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Single SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | A7C |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Video | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Street | — |
More comparisons with NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Camera family history