NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Svs FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II

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 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II (2021) Starting from £2699 new Best for Sports, wildlife, weddings & events View FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II

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.

Sports, Wildlife, Weddings & Events — FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II (2021): The best 70-200mm f/2.8 ever made — lighter, sharper, and faster than anything before it.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2022)FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II (2021)
Price £2,699 £2,699
Sensor f/4.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Video 75cm minimum focus distance N/A — lens
Autofocus Multi-Focus System — two STM motors for fast, accurate tracking Dual XD Linear Motor AF — best-in-class tracking
Stabilisation 5.5-stop VR with ARNEO coating (dual stabilisation system) Optical SteadyShot (OSS) — 5.5 stops with A7 IV IBIS
Burst Rate N/A N/A
Battery Life N/A N/A
Weight 1355g 1045g
Dimensions 98mm diameter × 222mm length 87.8mm diameter × 200mm length
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder N/A N/A
Screen N/A N/A
Mount Nikon Z-mount 77mm filter thread
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 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II
Wildlife
9.0
9.0
Sports & Action
9.0
—
Landscape
7.0
—
Sports —
9.0
Wedding —
9.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S prices → FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II 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 →