Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Prime/Zoom
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
Prime/Zoom
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art 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 Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art at 92. That puts Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ahead by 1 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 Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art if…
- ✓Fast autofocus
- ✓Weather-sealed
- ✓Premium optics
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSharpness
TieCompared on the sharpness sub-score
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Build
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ArtCompared on the build sub-score
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art leads on build (94 vs 88).
Autofocus
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ArtCompared on the autofocus sub-score
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art leads on af (91 vs 89).
Value for money
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ArtSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art more score per dollar ($1,199 vs $2,699).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art |
|---|
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
- +Fast aperture
- +Quiet autofocus
- +Weather-sealed (most)
- −Mount-specific
- −Weight varies
- −Price scales with quality
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
- +Fast autofocus
- +Weather-sealed
- +Premium optics
- −Heavy
- −Expensive
- −Focus breathing varies
FAQ: Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
Which is better, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. 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 Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art worth the price? +
At $1,199, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in build.
Does Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art 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 build, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — leads on build (94 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.
Which is better for autofocus, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art? +
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art — leads on af (91 vs 89). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.