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

£2699/$2697 A triumph of performance over outright reach

Although its telephoto reach is limited compared with some of the other lenses on test, the Z 100-400mm features high-tech attractions and handling exotica aplenty. Amazingly rapid and precise, the AF system is driven by two linear stepping motors. Unlike all the other lenses in the group, this gives the extra bonus of smooth AF transitions when shooting video.

The VR system is also impressive, based on voice coil motors that deliver a class-leading 5.5-stop effectiveness. There’s no holding back in optical quality either, with no less than six ED elements, two Super-ed elements and both ARNEO and Nano Crystal coatings, plus a fluorine coating on the front element. There’s a multi-function OLED display, one primary L-fn (Lens-function) button plus a rank of four secondary L-fn2 buttons, all of which can be customized on demand.

Performance

Autofocus speed and accuracy coupled with the effectiveness of VR guarantee an excellent hit rate, even when shooting tricky subjects. Sharpness is excellent and consistent.

N-photo verdict

The lab-test results don’t look too special but, in real-world shooting, everything comes together supremely well.

Sharpness There’s a slight drop-off at 400mm in our close-range lab-tests but real-world results proved super-sharp.

Fringing Colour fringing is entirely negligible at the short end and still very well controlled at medium to long settings.

Distortion There’s a hint of pincushion distortion at mid to long zoom settings but automatic correction is available.