The new Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR aims to be the ultimate travel lens

For Nikon Z photographers, the new Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the company's most versatile lens yet. This high-powered zoom lens is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras and offers an amazing magnification range of up to 14.2x.

Nikon is promoting the lens as a “must-have” zoom lens for travel, sports, and backyard wildlife. Given its 400mm f/8 aperture, it may not be an ideal choice for indoor sports or low-light wildlife photography. However, the trade-off may be worth it for photographers who prioritize flexibility over fast aperture.

Says Naoki Onozato, President and CEO of Nikon Inc. “Many photographers and creatives will love the versatility of the Nikkor Z 28-400mm lens, giving you clarity, range and stunning backdrops. Wherever your travels lead, this is sure to be a great place.” Lens to consider packing.

Despite its wide zoom range, the new 28-400mm lens weighs just 725g (1.6 lbs), making it the lightest full-frame lens with a zoom ratio greater than 10x. The lens measures 141.5 mm (5.6 inches) at minimum length and 84.5 mm (3.4 inches) at maximum diameter. It has a 77mm filter thread.

As for its optical structure, the lens includes 21 elements arranged in 15 groups. It features four Extra Low Dispersion glass elements and three aspherical elements. It has a nine-blade circular aperture diaphragm.

Autofocus is powered by the STM system, which Nikon promises will enable fast and accurate focusing. The lens can focus as close as 0.2m at the maximum wide angle position, providing a maximum magnification of 0.35x. The minimum focusing distance increases continuously as you zoom, ending at 1.2 meters (3.94 ft) at 400mm.

The aperture also changes as you zoom, dropping from its fastest aperture, f/4, to its slowest aperture, f/8, by about 200mm.

To aid in handheld photography, which is the primary use case for the new 28-400mm zoom, the lens includes optical image stabilization, known as Vibration Reduction (VR) in Nikon parlance. The VR system promises up to five stops of shake correction or up to 5.5 stops when using Synchro VR on compatible cameras.

Although it's not a professional S-series lens, the new 28-400mm zoom includes dust and drip resistance, ensuring it can be used in extreme weather conditions. Nikon says there are seals on various parts of the lens, including the moving parts.

Sample pictures

Pricing and availability

The new Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR will be available starting mid-April for a suggested retail price of $1,299.95.

Image credits: Nikon