Nikon

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

Name: Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Brand: Nikon
SKU: nikon-z-100-400mm-f-4-5-5-6-vr-s

Prime/Zoom

/ 100

From $2,699

Tamron

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E · f/2.8 · 540g · $899

/ 100

From $899

Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lands at 91 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 at 91. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

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

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

Pick Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 if…

✓540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
✓Better than first-party G Master at $899
✓Quiet VXD AF motor

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Winner by scenario

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

Sharpness

Tie

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Autofocus

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 leads on af (92 vs 89).

Build

Tie

Compared on the build sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 more score per dollar ($899 vs $2,699).

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S 91

91 Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Score breakdown

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

sharpness 91

af 89

build 88

value 85

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

sharpness 92

af 92

build 88

value 96

Specs side-by-side

Hide identical rows

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S versus Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — full spec comparison
Spec	Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S	Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Mount	—	Sony E
Focal length	—	28-75 mm
Aperture	—	f/2.8
Construction	—	17 elements / 15 groups
Min focus	—	0.18 m
Filter	—	67 mm
Weight	—	540 g

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

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros

+540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
+Better than first-party G Master at $899
+Quiet VXD AF motor

Cons

−28mm wide-end vs 24mm of Sony GM
−No image stabilization
−No fluorine front coating

FAQ: Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Which is better, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Both score 91 on our weighted rubric — tied. 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 Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 worth the price? +

At $899, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in value.

Does Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 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 autofocus, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — leads on af (92 vs 89). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.

Which is the better value, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — more score per dollar ($899 vs $2,699). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.