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 p.1 #2 · Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S vs. Sony 400mm f/4.5 GM (Quick Sharpness Test) | |
Interesting results. I did similar comparison (on Z8 with megadap). I've used two different copies of Nikon 400 over years and have tried only one Sony lens which is very sharp for me
I found they are pretty close at 400. Sony is more contrasty and feel slightly sharper. Anyway negligible. But when TC added Sony pulls ahead. I never tried Nikon 2X TC because I was not very happy with even 1.4x. But Sony is useable with 2X.
Again it could be my copy of the Nikon lens. I'm not selling Nikon yet. Waiting for the mythical Z70 and then decide which setup to keep . The Sony setup is way better for BIF for now especially with pre-capture.
Below some comparison pictures at ISO 100 on tripod and timer. All with 1.4TC
henderson92 wrote:
Testing Methodology and Sample Selection
I compared the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S with the newly released Sony 400mm f/4.5 GM, adapted to the Nikon Z8 using both the Techart ETZ Pro and ETZ Pro Plus adapters to check whether the adapter version made any noticeable difference.
I had the opportunity to compare four different copies of the Nikon lens over time, and the copy used in this test was the sharpest of the four. For the Sony, I had access to two copies and selected the sharper one.
Both lenses were tested at their respective minimum focusing distances using the same stationary subject: a bottle with very small printed text. The camera remained on a tripod in the same position, with the shutter speed set to 1/200 sec.
I tested both lenses at f/4.5 and f/5.6, then repeated the comparison at a lower ISO. To keep focusing as consistent as possible, I carefully targeted the exact same area of text, particularly the letters "BY" in "Made by Riley's Brewing Company."
For each test, I used the camera's shutter-delay mode with a three-shot sequence, capturing three images with identical settings. I then selected the sharpest frame from each sequence for comparison.
These results reflect the best-performing copies I tested from each lens model, with the sharpest frame selected from each three-shot sequence.
Results and Observations
Magnification at Minimum Focus Distance
The Sony 400mm f/4.5 GM appears to offer a slightly higher reproduction ratio than the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S at their respective minimum focusing distances. In other words, the Sony seems to maintain slightly higher magnification at close distances.
Light Transmission
At f/4.5, the Nikon consistently produced a brighter image than the Sony, suggesting better light transmission at maximum aperture. Interestingly, when both lenses were stopped down to f/5.6, the Sony appeared to produce a brighter image than the Nikon.
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this difference, but I found it worth mentioning.
Sharpness and Fine Detail (300% Zoom)
Overall, the two lenses performed very similarly in terms of sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame. I found no clear winner in this area, and the results were consistent across both high- and low-ISO tests.
However, the Sony appeared to resolve more detail toward the edges and corners of the frame. On the other hand, the Nikon seemed to have better control over chromatic aberration in the corners.
Since I was adapting the Sony lens to the Nikon Z8 using a Techart ETZ adapter, I cannot rule out the possibility that differences in lens profile corrections or adapter compatibility influenced the results, particularly regarding chromatic aberration.
Autofocus Performance and Noise
The Nikon's focusing motor produced some audible noise during autofocus, whereas the Sony was nearly silent by comparison.
I also tested the Sony lens on a native Sony A7C R body to evaluate its autofocus performance without an adapter. The results were generally consistent with my observations during testing on the Nikon Z8, suggesting that the autofocus behavior I observed was not simply a result of using the Sony lens on an adapted Nikon body.
In terms of focusing speed, I did not notice a significant difference in practical use. Although the Sony's linear motor design may offer advantages, I personally had no complaints about the Nikon's autofocus performance. Even when tracking fast birds in flight, I found the Nikon's autofocus perfectly usable.
Overall Impression
Based on my testing, the two lenses are very close in center sharpness, with no obvious winner. The Sony appears to have an advantage in fine detail toward the edges and corners, as well as quieter autofocus operation. The Nikon, meanwhile, appears to offer better control over corner chromatic aberration and delivers autofocus performance that I find perfectly adequate, even for fast-moving subjects such as birds in flight.
The differences in apparent brightness at f/4.5 and f/5.6 were also interesting, although I would be cautious about drawing firm conclusions without further controlled exposure measurements.
I think both lenses are excellent choices for users of either Nikon or Sony cameras. As someone who uses cameras from both brands, I was even willing to switch to the Sony lens and use an adapter to make it work with both systems, depending on the results. However, with the results being so close, my final decision has become even more difficult to make...
Finally, keep in mind that I selected the sharpest copy I tested of each lens model. I compared four different Nikon copies and had access to two Sony copies, so these results represent the best-performing samples I encountered rather than a comparison of randomly selected copies.
Since I can't upload testing images, Here is the dp review link including testing images.
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/nikon-z-400mm-f-4-5-vr-s-vs-sony-400mm-f-4-5-gm.4869668/...Show more →
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