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

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
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

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
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

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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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

discussion Which do you think is better?

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