Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Lens Is Now Shipping In The Us (December 2025)

As a travel photographer who’s spent the last 15 years hauling multiple lenses through airports, national parks, and crowded city streets, I understand the pain of lens fatigue. That constant battle between wanting versatility and dreading the weight. When Nikon announced the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, I was immediately intrigued – a lens that could truly replace an entire camera bag? After spending three weeks testing this lens across various scenarios, I can tell you this is the best superzoom lens Nikon has ever made for travel photographers who refuse to compromise on reach.

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is a revolutionary superzoom lens that covers an impressive 14.2x focal range from wide-angle 28mm to super-telephoto 400mm, all while maintaining a compact, lightweight design perfect for travel photography. Now shipping across the United States through major retailers including Nikon USA, B&H Photo Video, and Amazon, this lens has been creating quite a buzz in the photography community.

What makes this lens particularly special is how Nikon managed to pack such an extensive zoom range into a body weighing just 1.6 pounds (725g). Having tested dozens of superzoom lenses over the years, I can tell you that most either sacrifice image quality for convenience or become too heavy to carry comfortably. The Z 28-400mm strikes a remarkable balance that I haven’t seen before in the mirrorless world.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll share my hands-on experience, real-world test results, and insights from other photographers who’ve been using this lens. We’ll dive deep into its performance across different focal lengths, examine its strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide if this is the right lens for your photography needs.

First Impressions: Unboxing and Build Quality

The moment I picked up the Z 28-400mm, I was impressed by how Nikon managed the engineering challenge. The lens feels substantial in hand – not cheap plasticky like some superzooms – but surprisingly light given its capabilities. At 5.57 inches long and weighing 1.6 pounds, it’s noticeably lighter than carrying separate wide-angle and telephoto lenses, saving me about 2 pounds in my camera bag.

The build quality reflects Nikon’s professional heritage. The lens features weather sealing at critical points, including a rubber gasket around the lens mount. While not fully weather-sealed like professional-grade lenses, it handled light rain during my testing in the Pacific Northwest without any issues. The zoom ring has a nice dampened feel – not too tight, not too loose – though I did notice some lens creep when pointing the lens downward at 400mm.

What surprised me most was the close focusing capability. At 28mm, you can focus as close as 0.2 meters, achieving 0.35x magnification – essentially macro capabilities at the wide end. This means you can capture detailed close-ups of flowers or food without switching lenses, a feature I found incredibly useful during travel photography sessions.

The lens extends significantly when zooming to 400mm, nearly doubling in length. While this might concern some photographers about durability, Nikon has used robust internal construction with metal mounts and quality plastics. After three weeks of intensive use, including multiple outdoor sessions and hundreds of zoom cycles, the lens shows no signs of wear or mechanical issues.

Technical Features and Innovation

The heart of this lens is its remarkable 14.2x zoom ratio – the most extensive in Nikon’s Z-mount lineup. Nikon achieved this through sophisticated optical design featuring 16 elements in 11 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and 4 ED glass elements. This combination helps control aberrations across the entire zoom range, something that becomes increasingly challenging as focal length increases.

The Vibration Reduction (VR) system deserves special mention. Nikon claims up to 5 stops of stabilization, and in my testing, I found this to be accurate. I was able to capture sharp images at 400mm with shutter speeds as low as 1/60s, which is remarkable for a lens of this range. When paired with cameras featuring in-body stabilization, the Synchro VR mode can provide up to 5.5 stops of stabilization.

Autofocus is driven by a stepping motor that delivers quiet, fast performance. During wildlife photography sessions, the lens acquired focus quickly and accurately. However, I did notice some hunting when transitioning quickly between subjects at different distances, especially at longer focal lengths. The linear manual focus override is smooth and precise, making it easy to fine-tune focus manually when needed.

The variable aperture design (f/4 at 28mm to f/8 at 400mm) is necessary for keeping the lens compact and affordable. While this might disappoint some professional photographers, for travel and general use, I found it manageable. At 28mm, f/4 is perfectly usable for most situations, and modern cameras handle the higher ISOs needed at 400mm f/8 quite well.

Real-World Performance: From 28mm to 400mm

Let’s talk about image quality, because that’s what ultimately matters. I tested this lens extensively across its focal range, shooting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and street photography. The results were impressive, though with some caveats.

At 28mm, the lens delivers sharp images corner-to-corner. I captured sweeping landscapes in Olympic National Park, and the detail was excellent throughout the frame. There’s minimal distortion at the wide end, and chromatic aberration is well-controlled. The f/4 aperture produces pleasant background separation for environmental portraits, though it won’t match prime lenses in this regard.

In the middle range (70-200mm), where most superzooms struggle, the Z 28-400mm maintains good sharpness. I photographed my daughter’s soccer game at around 150mm, and the images were crisp with good contrast. This is likely where most users will spend their time, and Nikon has clearly optimized performance for this range.

At 400mm, you’ll notice some softness, especially when shooting wide open at f/8. However, stopping down to f/11-f/16 improves sharpness considerably. For wildlife photography, this means you’ll need good light or be comfortable using higher ISOs. I captured some decent shots of eagles at a distance, but they wouldn’t hold up to the scrutiny of professional wildlife publication standards.

The lens handles flare surprisingly well. I shot several backlit scenes, including sunrise over Mount Rainier, and while there’s some loss of contrast when shooting directly into the sun, it’s much better controlled than typical superzooms. The lens hood helps, though it doesn’t come included and will cost you an additional $50.

Low Light Performance

This is where the variable aperture becomes apparent. At 28mm f/4, the lens performs reasonably well in low light, especially with modern full-frame cameras. I photographed Seattle’s nightlife and was pleased with the results at ISO 3200-6400. However, at 400mm f/8, you’re limited to well-lit situations or very high ISOs. This lens isn’t ideal for indoor sports or dimly lit events when you need the telephoto reach.

Video Performance

For video creators, this lens offers mixed results. The VR system works well for handheld shots, and the autofocus is quiet enough for most recording situations. However, the variable aperture means exposure changes as you zoom, which can be problematic for professional video work. Also, I noticed some focus breathing when adjusting focus during recording, which might be an issue for filmmakers.

Honest Assessment: Strengths and Limitations

Reasons to Buy

The versatility is unmatched – one lens covering everything from wide landscapes to distant wildlife. The weight savings are significant compared to carrying multiple lenses. The image stabilization is genuinely excellent, making handheld telephoto shooting feasible. The build quality feels durable enough for regular travel use. Close focusing capabilities add macro-like versatility. Weather sealing provides peace of mind in unpredictable conditions.

Reasons to Avoid

The variable aperture limits low-light telephoto performance. Not as sharp as professional prime lenses at equivalent focal lengths. The lens extends significantly when zooming, affecting balance and weather protection. Price might be high for casual photographers considering the aperture limitations. Some autofocus inconsistencies when rapidly changing focal lengths. Not suitable for professional-grade work requiring maximum quality.

Alternative Options and Comparisons

Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR

The most obvious comparison is Nikon’s own Z 24-200mm. The 24-200mm is $300 cheaper, lighter, and has a faster aperture at the telephoto end (f/6.3 vs f/8). However, you lose 200mm of reach, which is significant for wildlife photography. If you primarily shoot landscapes and travel and don’t need extreme telephoto, the 24-200mm might be the better value.

Feature	Z 28-400mm	Z 24-200mm
Focal Range	28-400mm	24-200mm
Max Aperture	f/4-8	f/4-6.3
Weight	725g	575g
Price	$1,146.95	$896.95
Best For	Wildlife, Sports	Travel, Landscapes

Prime Lens Combination

If maximum quality is your priority and you don’t mind changing lenses, consider a combination like the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S. This setup costs about three times as much and weighs considerably more, but delivers professional-grade image quality throughout the range. This is the route professionals take, but it’s overkill for most travel situations.

Third-Party Options

Currently, there aren’t many third-party superzoom options for Nikon Z mount. Tamron and Sigma have excellent options for other mounts, but their Z-mount lineup is limited. This makes Nikon’s 28-400mm essentially the only game in town for Z users wanting this much range in one package.

US Availability and Pricing

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is now widely available across the United States through all major photography retailers. Nikon USA lists it at $1,449.95, but most retailers are currently offering it at discounted prices around $1,146.95 – about $300 off the original price, making it a more attractive proposition.

Major US retailers including B&H Photo Video, Adorama, and Amazon all have the lens in stock as of November 2025. B&H and Adorama are both including free shipping, while Amazon is offering next-day delivery for Prime members in select areas. Nikon USA is also running a promotional bundle that includes the lens hood and a 67mm UV filter for $1,249.95.

For those interested in financing, most retailers offer 6-12 month interest-free payment plans. B&H Photo also has their used department with some returned units in excellent condition for around $950, which could be a good option for budget-conscious buyers.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Nikon Z 28-400mm?

After three weeks of intensive testing, I can confidently say the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the best superzoom lens Nikon has ever produced. It’s not perfect, but it delivers on its promise of extreme versatility in a travel-friendly package.

This lens is ideal for travel photographers who want to minimize their gear without sacrificing reach. It’s perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts where weight matters. Family photographers who want one lens for everything from group shots to distant action will love it. It’s also great as a backup lens for professionals who need maximum versatility in emergency situations.

However, if you’re a professional wildlife photographer needing maximum sharpness, or you primarily shoot in low light situations requiring fast apertures, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Similarly, if you’re on a tight budget, the Z 24-200mm offers better value for most travel photography needs.

The Nikon Z 28-400mm represents a new category of superzoom that actually delivers usable image quality across its entire range. While it won’t replace professional-grade lenses, it makes an excellent primary lens for enthusiasts and a perfect secondary lens for professionals. The convenience of having 28-400mm in one package cannot be overstated, and Nikon has done an admirable job balancing quality, weight, and versatility.

For travel photographers and general shooters who value convenience over absolute quality, this lens is a game-changer. The ability to capture wide landscapes one moment and distant wildlife the next without changing lenses is genuinely liberating. At the current discounted price of around $1,150, it’s a compelling option for Z-mount shooters looking to lighten their load.

Frequently Asked Questions