NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Svs A7C

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 A7C Sony A7C (2020) Starting from £1299 new Best for Compact travel & content creation View A7C

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.

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.

↓ Full specifications below

A7C (2020)

  • Travel photographers who want full-frame in the smallest possible body
  • Content creators who need a flip screen and reliable Eye AF
  • Photographers upgrading from APS-C who want to keep a compact kit
  • Vloggers who need 4K and great battery life on the road

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
Genre NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SA7C
Wildlife
9.0
7.0
Sports & Action
9.0
Landscape
7.0
Travel
9.0
Video
9.0
Portrait
9.0
Street
9.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S prices → A7C prices →

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