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Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Prime/Zoom

91
/ 100
From $2,699
VS
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins by 4
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Prime/Zoom

95
/ 100
From $2,099
Specdex verdict

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lands at 91 and Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S at 95. That puts Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S if…

  • ✓Fast aperture
  • ✓Quiet autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed (most)

Pick Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on sharpness (95 vs 91).

Autofocus

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on af (94 vs 89).

Build

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Compared on the build sub-score

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S leads on build (94 vs 88).

Value for money

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S more score per dollar ($2,099 vs $2,699).

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S 91
vs
95 Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Score breakdown

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
91
sharpness 91
af 89
build 88
value 85
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S
95
sharpness 95
af 94
build 94
value 84

Specs side-by-side

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S versus Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Weight varies
  • −Price scales with quality

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

FAQ: Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Which is better, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S worth the price? +

At $2,699, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in sharpness.

Is Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S worth the price? +

At $2,099, Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on sharpness (95 vs 91). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for autofocus, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S? +

Nikon Z 50mm f/1.2 S — leads on af (94 vs 89). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.