Nikon Nikkor
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
18-105mm 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 105 mm
Help
 Around 3x more reach, less perspective distortion
More magnification 1:3.6 (0.3x) vs 1:5 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 40% 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 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4.5
Help
 At its widest, the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX captures slightly more light, 0.7 f-stops
Shorter 89 mm vs 123 mm
Help
 Around 30% shorter
Better wide angle 18 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 3.1x better wide angle
Slightly more zoom 5.8x vs 5.5x
Help
 Around 10% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly lighter 420 g vs 0.6 kg
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Learn more about
the Nikon 18-105mm 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
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :5.8x
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
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :18 mm
Weight Light weight Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:0.6 kg
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :420 g
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:$396.95
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :$329.95
Length Short Help
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:123 mm
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :89 mm

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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

$224 - $247
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
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 Nikkor 18-105mm 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

$109 - $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 18-105mm 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 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

$1,047
Zoom range Has much large zoom range
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm 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 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Travel lens

$329
Zoom range Has way more large zoom range
Image stabilization Has worse image stabilization
Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$309
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 18-105mm 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 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
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
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
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

Wildlife lens

$299
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Slightly lighter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS 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 Competitors

Advantages

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

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Zoom range Significantly less zoom
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX

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

Low light lens

$197
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Zoom range Significantly less zoom
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

$600
Zoom range Slightly less zoom
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED 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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