Nikon Nikkor
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Significantly better telephoto 300 mm vs 85 mm
Help
 More than 3.5x more reach, less perspective distortion
Slightly more magnification 1:3.6 (0.3x) vs 1:4.6 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 30% larger in your photo
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Reasons to consider the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX captures slightly more light, 0.7 f-stops
Shorter 85 mm vs 123 mm
Help
 More than 30% shorter
Better wide angle 16 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 3.4x better wide angle
Nikon Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Learn more about
the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Very good image stabilization Help
Nikon VR
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Zoom range Great zoom Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:5.5x
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :5.3x
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:55 mm
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :16 mm
Weight Light weight Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:0.6 kg
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :485 g
Length Short Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:123 mm
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :85 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:$396.95
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :$599.95

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Travel lens

$847
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

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

Travel lens
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX

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

Wide angle lens

$90 - $197
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 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

$99
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Advantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$150
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor 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 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
Aperture Wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
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
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Nikon-f

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

Macro lens

$199
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor 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 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
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length 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
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

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

Wildlife lens

$449
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$499
Aperture Wider aperture
Magnification More magnification
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$1,299
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Portrait lens

$369
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$594
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization Worse image stabilization
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

discussion Which do you think is better?

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