Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX vs 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Has a consant aperture

Yes

Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths

Wider aperture

f/2.8

f/3.5

At its widest, the 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX captures slightly more light, 0.6 f-stops

Learn more about
the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Reasons to consider the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Image stabilization

Nikon VR

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

More zoom

5.3x

3.2x

More than 60% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly shorter

85 mm

112 mm

More than 20% shorter

Slightly cheaper

$599.95

$1,299.00

The best price we've seen is $699 cheaper (2.2x less)

Slightly lighter

485 g

0.8 kg

Around 40% lighter

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

55 mm

More than 50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly smaller diameter

72 mm

86 mm

Around 20% smaller lens at the end

Learn more about
the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths	Common Weaknesses
LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.	LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$499

Has better macro

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$459

Has a higher max f/stop

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$594

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Wide angle lens

$1,887

Is slightly more expensive

Is longer

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX

Low light lens

$197

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$549

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

Wide angle lens

$1,297

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF

Wide angle lens

$1,499

Less zoom

Slightly worse telephoto

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Wide angle lens

$1,903 - $1,997

Less zoom

Slightly more expensive

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Travel lens

$330

Slightly more zoom

Slightly better telephoto

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

Travel lens

$847

Significantly more zoom

Better image stabilization

Slightly longer

Slightly more expensive

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

Slightly more zoom

Slightly better telephoto

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Portrait lens

$369

More magnification

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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Nikon Nikkor
17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
vs
Nikon Nikkor
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Reasons to consider the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX