Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

More magnification

1:3.2 (0.3x)

1:4.6 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects more than 40% larger in your photo

Slightly cheaper

$89.99

$599.95

The best price we've seen is $510 cheaper (6.7x less)

Slightly lighter

265 g

485 g

Around 50% lighter

Learn more about
the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

More zoom

5.3x

3.1x

More than 70% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

55 mm

More than 50% more reach, less perspective distortion

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

	Very good image stabilization
	Nikon VR

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

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

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

Travel lens

$330

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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 35mm f/1.8G DX

Low light lens

$197

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR 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

Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$99

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX 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

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Doesn't have image stabilization

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G 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

Has a wider aperture

Has a fixed aperture

Has worse image stabilization

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR 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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$1,299

Has a wider aperture

Has a fixed aperture

Is slightly more expensive

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Wide angle lens

$185 - $199

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115

Is a prime lens

Significantly wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$247

Better telephoto

Slightly more zoom

Narrower aperture

Worse wide angle

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

Wide angle lens

$499

Wider aperture

More magnification

Worse image stabilization

Less zoom

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

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

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
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
vs
Nikon Nikkor
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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