Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX vs 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Better telephoto

200 mm

105 mm

More than 90% more reach, less perspective distortion

More magnification

1:3.5 (0.3x)

1:5 (0.2x)

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

Slightly lighter

255 g

420 g

Around 40% lighter

Slightly shorter

79 mm

89 mm

More than 10% shorter

Learn more about
the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Reasons to consider the Nikon 18-105mm 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

5.8x

3.6x

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

Wider aperture

f/3.5

f/4

At its widest, the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX captures marginally more light, 0.4 f-stops

Better wide angle

18 mm

55 mm

3.1x better wide angle

Learn more about
the Nikon 18-105mm 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

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Short

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	79 mm
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :	89 mm

Light weight

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	255 g
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :	420 g

Good wide-angle

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	55 mm
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :	18 mm

Inexpensive

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	$179.95
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :	$329.95

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

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

Wide angle lens

$109 - $197

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

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

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 18-105mm 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

Has better image stabilization

Has much large zoom range

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

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Wildlife lens

$224 - $247

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

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 18-105mm 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 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 18-105mm 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

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Travel lens

$329

Has way more large zoom range

Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Low light lens

$439

Much wider aperture

Is a prime lens

Worse telephoto

Less zoom

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Sports lens

$999

Has a consant aperture

Wider aperture

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Significantly longer

Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$159

Image stabilization

Slightly more zoom

Much wider aperture

Slightly longer

Compare the 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

$600

Slightly less zoom

Slightly worse telephoto

Compare the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-105mm 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
55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX
vs
Nikon Nikkor
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Reasons to consider the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX