Nikon Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR Review: One Lens From Wide Angle to 400mm for Travel

A 14x zoom on full frame sounds like a compromise, and in some ways it is. The Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, announced in March 2024 at $1,299.95, accepts those compromises on purpose. One lens covers wide-angle landscapes, street scenes, portraits and distant wildlife. You never change lenses, which means no dust on the sensor and no missed moments.

It weighs about 725 grams and takes a 77mm filter. For that range on full frame, it’s remarkably light.

Video review: Christopher Frost

The range is the point

28mm for wide shots. 50mm and 85mm for street and portraits. 200mm to 400mm for wildlife, sports from the stands and compressed landscapes. On a safari, a city break or a family holiday, that flexibility beats a bag of better lenses you never swap in time.

Close focus is a hidden strength. At 28mm it focuses down to 20 centimeters, for about 0.35x magnification. Flowers, food and small details are easy.

Vibration reduction is rated at 5 stops, or 5.5 with Synchro VR on compatible bodies. At 400mm handheld, you’ll need it.

It’s weather sealed, with a zoom lock to stop the barrel creeping.

The compromises

f/8 at the long end is slow. In dim light at 400mm, ISO climbs quickly. Nikon’s newer bodies like the Z5II and Z6III handle that well, but expect more noise than with a faster telephoto.

Sharpness is good rather than excellent, especially at the edges and at the longest focal lengths. It won’t match Nikon’s S-line zooms.

Background blur is limited by the slow aperture.

The zoom extends a lot at 400mm, and the control ring doubles as the focus ring, with no separate manual focus ring.

Who should buy it

Travelers who want one lens for everything. Families on holiday. Safari visitors who don’t want to swap lenses in dusty conditions. Nikon Z owners who want reach without carrying a big telephoto.

If image quality matters more than convenience, pair the Z 24-120mm f/4 S with the Z 180-600mm. For a one-lens kit that does almost everything, the 28-400mm is hard to beat.