Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Much wider aperture

f/1.8

f/4

At its widest, the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G captures much more light, 2.3 f-stops

Has a silent focus motor

Nikon AF-S

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Is a prime lens

Yes

Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures

Slightly lighter

187 g

467 g

2.5x lighter

Slightly better wide angle

50 mm

70 mm

Around 30% better wide angle

Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

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

Significantly better telephoto

300 mm

50 mm

6x more reach, less perspective distortion

More zoom

4.3x

Around 4.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

More magnification

1:4 (0.2x)

1:6.7 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 70% larger in your photo

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

similarities

Compared to 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.

Compared to portrait lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

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

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

competitors

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115

Is shorter

Has a lower max f/stop

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Wildlife lens

$247

Has image stabilization

Has a narrower aperture

Has a lower max f/stop

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

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Wildlife lens

$180

Has a narrower aperture

Has a lower max f/stop

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Wildlife lens

$587

Has image stabilization

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Low light lens

$197

Slightly better wide angle

Slightly worse telephoto

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

Low light lens

$289

Wider aperture

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G

Low light lens

$429

Wider aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G vs the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125

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

Wide angle lens

$90 - $197

Image stabilization

More zoom

Is a zoom lens

Significantly narrower aperture

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

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

Wildlife lens

$397

Image stabilization

Has a silent focus motor

Significantly wider aperture

Narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199

More magnification

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Macro lens

$199

More magnification

Significantly wider aperture

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

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

Sports lens

$999

Has a consant aperture

Wider aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Longer

Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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.

“LensHero will help you cut through the sheer number of lenses out there to find the few you want to read more about” - LifeHacker	“Finding the right lens on Lenshero is incredibly easy!” - Revell Photography
“I am in love with LensHero.” - Shoot from the Belly	“Kind of a little bit in love with LensHero” - @alicetragedy
“No technical stuff whatsoever, just plain and simple questions complete with examples so that any user can understand” - Karel Donk, Photographer	“I love that I can pull up different lenses in my price range that will fit my DSLR.” - Jennifer Sutton

Nikon Nikkor
AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
vs
Nikon Nikkor
70-300mm f/4-5.6G

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

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