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

differences

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

Image stabilization

Nikon VR

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

Cheaper

$107.49

$1,299.00

The best price we've seen is $1,192 cheaper (12.1x less)

More magnification

1:3.2 (0.3x)

1:5 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 60% larger in your photo

Lighter

265 g

0.8 kg

2.8x lighter

Shorter

79 mm

112 mm

Around 30% shorter

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

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

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

	Poor telephoto
	55 mm

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 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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF 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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF 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 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

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

Wide angle lens

$99

Has a narrower aperture

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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

$600

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

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

Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$649

Has a higher max f/stop

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Sports lens

$2,397

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has better image stabilization

Is slightly more expensive

Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II 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

More zoom

Better telephoto

Less magnification

Slightly heavier

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

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

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

Wide angle lens

$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 AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217

Is a prime lens

Significantly wider aperture

No image stabilization

Less zoom

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

$224 - $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 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$594

Image stabilization

Slightly cheaper

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

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

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
17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF 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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX