Verdict

The Nikon Z 600mm f6.3 VR S is a telephoto prime lens which is relatively compact and comes at an unrivalled low weight of only 1.60kg. In my tests it turned out to be a very good performer: resolution across the full frame is very good even wide open from infinity down to minimum object distance with colour aberrations, coma, and field curvature practically non-existent. And its optical image stabilization working together with the IBIS of any full-frame Z camera body proved to be very effective giving the lens a 5 stop boost in handhold-ability. It is also equipped with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a professional Z-Nikkor plus a dedicated memory set button to save focus positions, but no OLED display.

What’s not to like – apart from the flimsy lens pouch? Well, optically I have only three small issues: Focus breathing is not well controlled, minimum object distance of 3.9m only yields a meagre maximum magnification of 1:6.1, and when using the Z TC-2.0x center performance takes a visible hit. Finally regarding features: I’d love Nikon to make their tripod foots Arca Swiss compatible – or at least add the groove to their foot.

Let’s put this into perspective and have a closer look at how the Nikon Z 600mm f6.3 VR S compares to some alternatives from Nikon’s line-up of long telephoto Z Nikkors.

Two lenses with 600mm focal length

Above: Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR (left), Nikon Z 600mm f6.3 VR S (right)

Compared to Nikon Z 600mm f4 TC VR S

The Z 600mm f4 TC VR S is an excellent lens with one extremely compelling feature over rival systems: It has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter which changes it into an 840mm f5.6 lens at the flick of a switch. The lens is 4/3 stops faster than the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S which also makes it 207mm longer, 1.91kg heavier, and three times as expensive. Optically the Z 600mm f4 TC VR S is Nikon’s sharpest 600mm lens. The Z 600mm f6.3 VR S is only a tad softer but the difference becomes more visible when using teleconverters as the slower lens clearly suffers from diffraction at f9 and f13. So, choices are easy: If you want/need the faster focal ratio, the sharpest optics, and the flexibility of a built-in teleconverter get the Z 600mm f4 TC VR S. If you value portability and a much lower price, the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S is a great alternative.

For more details see my Nikon Z 600mm f4.0 TC VR S review where the lens came Highly Recommend.

Compared to Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR

The Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR lets you reach 600mm with a focal ratio of f6.3 with four major advantages over the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S: the lens can zoom back 3.3x to 180mm focal length, minimum object distance is as low as 1.3m (vs. 3.9m), maximum magnification is 1:3.9 (vs. 1:6.1), and it costs only one third. And if you think a zoom lens is optically inferior to a prime, think again: The Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR is so sharp across the full frame at all focal lengths that it rivals some S-class zoom or prime lenses in Nikon’s line-up. Compared to the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S the zoom lens is only a bit softer and also works well with the Z TC-1.4x. But the prime lens is 41mm shorter and 0.66kg lighter which makes it unquestionably the more compact and lightweight alternative – if you don’t want/need the flexibility of a zoom lens.

For more details see my Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR review where the lens came Highly Recommend.

Compared to Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 VR S + Z TC-1.4x

Attaching the Z TC-1.4x converts Nikon’s Z 400mm f4.5 VR S into a 560mm f6.3 lens which is 24mm shorter and 2100 EUR / 1300 USD / 1700 GBP cheaper (including the price for the TC) than the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S – at comparable weight. Optically the Z 400mm f4.5 VR S is as sharp as the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S at its original focal length but using the Z TC-1.4x teleconverter makes it a bit softer. If you already own the Z 400mm f4.5 VR S do you need the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S? Yes, if you want better sharpness at 560/600mm focal length. But simply adding a Z TC-1.4x to your Z 400mm f4.5 VR S certainly saves space and weight in your bag and a lot of money.

For more details see my Nikon Z 400mm f4.5 VR S review where the lens came Highly Recommend.

Compared to Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S

Not enough reach at 600mm focal length? Thinking about using the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S with Z TC-1.4x (resulting in a 840mm f9 lens)? Well, Nikon’s Z 800mm f6.3 VR S may be a good alternative: It has a one stop brighter focal ratio which also makes it less prone to diffraction resulting in sharper images. But it is also 175mm longer, 0.8kg heavier and 340 EUR / 1200 USD / 720 GBP more expensive than the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S + Z TC-1.4x combo. You decide!

For more details see my Nikon Z 800mm f6.3 VR S review where the lens came Highly Recommend.

Nikon Z 600mm f4 TC VR S final verdict

The variety of Nikon’s long telephoto lens range is quite impressive: Two zoom lenses (100-400mm and 180-600mm), three light and compact primes (400mm f4.5, 600mm f6.3, 800mm f6.3) and two high-end large aperture prime lenses with built-in teleconverter (400mm f2.8, 600mm f4.0). And all of these are very good lenses, so chose wisely – because some of them come with eye-watering price tags.

Nikon’s Z 600mm f6.3 VR S is a very good addition to their long telephoto line-up fitting right between the Z 400mm f4.5 VR S and the Z 800mm f6.3 VR S: It has an unrivalled low weight, compact size, and very good optical performance with virtually no field-curvature or colour aberrations. It can confidently be used wide open or in combination with Nikon’s Z TC-1.4x teleconverter but using the TC-2.0x taxes the abilities of the lens a bit. Its Bokeh is very nice and the optical image stabilization of 5 stops proves really helpful with the challenges of hand-holding an 600mm lens. All this makes the Z 600mm f6.3 VR S Highly Recommended.

Good points:

• Very light.
• Very good resolution and contrast across the full frame.
• Good image quality with Z TC-1.4x.
• Effective optical image stabilization.
• Very good close-up performance.
• Practically no longitudinal colour aberrations or purple fringing.
• Only little vignetting and no distortions – through lens-profile.
• Practically no field-curvature.
• Very nice Bokeh.
• Weather sealing, multi function ring, function buttons, focus limiter.

Bad points:

• Minimum object distance of 3.9m and meagre maximum magnification.
• Focus breathing.
• Tripod foot is not Arca Swiss compatible.
• Expensive compared to Z 400mm f4.5 VR S.
• Flimsy lens pouch.