Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR vs Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Has a silent focus motor

Nikon AF-S

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Better telephoto

300 mm

250 mm

20% more reach, less perspective distortion

More zoom

5.5x

4.5x

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

Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Wider aperture

f/4

f/4.5

At its widest, the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops

Slightly lighter

390 g

0.6 kg

More than 30% lighter

Slightly more magnification

1:3.2 (0.3x)

1:3.6 (0.3x)

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

Learn more about
the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Very good image stabilization

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	Nikon VR
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	Canon IS

Good telephoto

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	300 mm
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	250 mm

Great zoom

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	5.5x
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	4.5x

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Very narrow widest aperture size

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	f/4.5
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	f/4

	Both are variable aperture lenses
	Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Light weight

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	0.6 kg
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	390 g

	Good wide-angle
	55 mm

Inexpensive

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	$396.95
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS:	$299.00

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

competitors

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

Wildlife lens

$247

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

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Wildlife lens

$649

Has a higher max f/stop

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

Compare the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Telephoto lens

$629

Has a higher max f/stop

Has a fixed aperture

Doesn't have image stabilization

Is longer

Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Compare the EF 70-200mm f/4L USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

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

Wildlife lens

$150

Significantly narrower aperture

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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

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

Wildlife lens

$587

Less zoom

Slightly worse wide angle

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

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

Macro lens

$199

More magnification

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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

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

Travel lens

$330

Wider aperture

Shorter

Significantly worse telephoto

Less magnification

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

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

Macro lens

$199

More magnification

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169

Has a silent focus motor

Better telephoto

No image stabilization

Slightly less magnification

Compare the 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549

More zoom

Wider aperture

Worse telephoto

Compare the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$699

Much more zoom

Wider aperture

Worse telephoto

Slightly less magnification

Compare the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

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

Macro lens

$199

More magnification

Better telephoto

No image stabilization

Slightly worse wide angle

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Canon-ef vs the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

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 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
vs
Canon
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Reasons to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS