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.
Full-Frame Hybrid — A7C II (2023): Full-frame AI autofocus in the most compact body available — the best camera under £1,500 for hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
A7C II (2023)
Quick take: The a7c ii 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 II (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,699 | £1,499 |
| Sensor | f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) | 33MP Full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | — | 33.0MP |
| Video | 75cm minimum focus distance | 4K/60p oversampled, S-Log3, 10-bit internal |
| Autofocus | Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | N/A | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | N/A | ~530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1355g | 514g body only |
| Dimensions | 98mm diameter × 222mm length | 124.0 × 71.1 × 63.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | N/A | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification |
| Screen | N/A | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | N/A | Dual slots: SD UHS-II + CFexpress Type A |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C (3.2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | A7C II |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Portrait | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — |
More comparisons with NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Camera family history