Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S § 03 Head to head
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S vs Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
Nikon 100–400mm f/4.5 - 5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture. Tamron 70–300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a wider field of view.
The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a 100–400mm f/4.5 - 5.6 zoom, and the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD is a 70–300mm f/4.5-6.3 zoom. On paper the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 5, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S 
Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD 01
Key differences
Why is the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S better than the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/4.5 - 5.6 vs f/4.5-6.3)
- Longer reach (400mm vs 300mm)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.75 m vs 0.8 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2020)
Why is the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD better than the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S?
- Wider field of view (70mm vs 100mm)
- 890 g lighter (545 g vs 1435 g)
- 74 mm shorter (148 mm vs 222 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)
- $2,151 cheaper ($549 launch price vs $2,699.95 launch price)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has the edge: its f/4.5 - 5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
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Specification
| Specification | Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S | Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 100–400mm | 70–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5 - 5.6 ◆ | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22-32 |
| Lens type | Telephoto zoom | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 1435 g | 545 g (19.22 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 98 x 222 mm | 77 x 148 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.75 m ◆ | 0.8 m / 1.5 m (31.5 in / 59.1 in) |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 25 elements / 20 groups | 15 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Price | $2,699.95 launch price | $549 launch price ◆ |
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Size
- A · Nikon
- B · Tamron
- 222 × 98 mm
- 148 × 77 mm
The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is 74 mm longer and 890 g heavier than the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD.
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Sample frames
Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD?
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S opens to f/4.5 - 5.6, against f/4.5-6.3 on the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD.
- Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD?
- The Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD weighs 545 g, 890 g less than the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (1435 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD?
- The Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S focuses down to 0.75 m, against 0.8 m for the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD.
- Do the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD have image stabilization?
- Only the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S or the Tamron 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S has the edge: its f/4.5 - 5.6 aperture gathers more light than f/4.5-6.3.
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