NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Svs FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

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 FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) Starting from £2499 new Best for Wildlife, sports & birds in flight View FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

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.

Wildlife, Sports & Birds In Flight — FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017): The benchmark wildlife and sports telephoto for Sony mirrorless — G Master quality with Dual XD tracking that locks onto subjects and holds them.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: The fe 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 gm oss is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2022)FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017)
Price £2,699 £2,499
Sensor f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture)
Video 75cm minimum focus distance 112cm minimum focus distance
Autofocus Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking Dual XD linear motors — ultra-fast tracking for moving subjects
Stabilisation 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) 4.5-stop OSS (up to 5.5 stops combined with body IBIS)
Burst Rate N/A N/A
Battery Life N/A N/A
Weight 1355g 1395g
Dimensions 98mm diameter × 222mm length 93.9mm diameter × 218mm length
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder N/A N/A
Screen N/A N/A
Mount Nikon Z-mount Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards N/A N/A
Connectivity N/A N/A

Suitability by genre

Genre NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR SFE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
Wildlife
9.0
9.0
Sports & Action
9.0
9.0
Landscape
7.0
7.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S prices → FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS 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 A6100 → 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 →