Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX vs 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

differences

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

Has a silent focus motor

Nikon AF-S

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Shorter

79 mm

117 mm

More than 30% shorter

Slightly lighter

255 g

467 g

Around 50% lighter

Slightly better wide angle

55 mm

70 mm

More than 20% better wide angle

Slightly more magnification

1:3.5 (0.3x)

1:4 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects more than 10% larger in your photo

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

Reasons to consider the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

Better telephoto

300 mm

200 mm

50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly more zoom

4.3x

3.6x

Around 20% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Learn more about
the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

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

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Very narrow widest aperture size
	f/4

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Light weight

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	255 g
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	467 g

Inexpensive

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	$179.95
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	$119.95

Short

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	79 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	117 mm

Good wide-angle

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX:	55 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	70 mm

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

competitors

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

Wildlife lens

$397

Has image stabilization

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Wildlife lens

$159

Has image stabilization

Has a lower max f/stop

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

Compare the 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Wildlife lens

$224 - $247

Has image stabilization

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199

Has better macro

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Travel lens

$330

Has image stabilization

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

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

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Has a slightly longer telephoto 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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Travel lens

$847

Has image stabilization

Has way more 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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

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

Wide angle lens

$109 - $197

Image stabilization

Wider aperture

Worse telephoto

Slightly less zoom

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

Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Wildlife lens

$150

Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115

Much wider aperture

Is a prime lens

Significantly worse telephoto

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$449

Image stabilization

Has a silent focus motor

Slightly heavier

Slightly more expensive

Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

differences

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

Reasons to consider the Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF