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Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Prime/Zoom

90
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS wins by 3
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — Prime/Zoom
Sony

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Prime/Zoom

93
/ 100
From $2,498
Specdex verdict

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lands at 90 and Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS at 93. That puts Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics

Pick Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS if…

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

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

Build

Tie

Compared on the build sub-score

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

Sharpness

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS leads on sharpness (93 vs 90).

Autofocus

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS leads on af (92 vs 89).

Value for money

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR more score per dollar ($1,699 vs $2,498).

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR 90
vs
93 Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Score breakdown

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
90
sharpness 90
af 89
build 94
value 84
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
93
sharpness 93
af 92
build 94
value 84

Specs side-by-side

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR versus Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

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

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

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

FAQ: Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR vs Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Which is better, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR worth the price? +

At $1,699, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in build.

Is Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS worth the price? +

At $2,498, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in build.

Does Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS 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 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — leads on sharpness (93 vs 90). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for autofocus, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — leads on af (92 vs 89). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.