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

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Is a prime lens Yes vs No
Help
 Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures
Significantly wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/3.5
Help
 At its widest, the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G captures much more light, 1.9 f-stops
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

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

Image stabilization Nikon VR vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
More zoom 3.1x vs 1x
Help
 More than 3x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
More magnification 1:3.2 (0.3x) vs 1:6.7 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 2x larger in your photo
Better wide angle 18 mm vs 50 mm
Help
 2.8x better wide angle
Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Learn more about
the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
AF-S 50mm f/1.8G:50 mm
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX :55 mm

Compared to portrait 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

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Low light lens

$197
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

$330
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
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

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
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 50mm f/1.4G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Low light lens

$439
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

Nikon Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

Lens

$277
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Compare the Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

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

Wildlife lens

$180
Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Compare the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$587
Max focal length Has a significantly shorter telephoto lens
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Compare the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

Low light lens

$289
Aperture Wider aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

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

Advantages

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

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

Wide angle lens

$196 - $199
Focus motor 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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

Wildlife lens

$247
Max focal length Better telephoto
Zoom range Slightly more zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Min focal length 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
Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX

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

Wide angle lens

$119
Image stabilization No 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

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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