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

differences

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

Image stabilization

Nikon VR

None

Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements

Has a silent focus motor

Nikon AF-S

None

Focuses quickly and silently

More zoom

5.5x

4.3x

Around 30% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better wide angle

55 mm

70 mm

More than 20% better wide angle

Slightly more magnification

1:3.6 (0.3x)

1:4 (0.2x)

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

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

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

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

Wider aperture

f/4

f/4.5

At its widest, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops

Slightly cheaper

$119.95

$396.95

The best price we've seen is $277 cheaper (3.3x less)

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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Good telephoto
	300 mm

	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
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	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
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	467 g

Inexpensive

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	$396.95
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	$119.95

Short

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	123 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	117 mm

Good wide-angle

AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:	55 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF:	70 mm

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

$224 - $247

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Wildlife lens

$150

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

Compare the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Macro lens

$199

Has better macro

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

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

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

Wildlife lens

$587

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

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

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

Wildlife lens

$449

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

Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

Macro lens

$199

Has better macro

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

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

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

Travel lens

$847

Has better image stabilization

Has much large zoom range

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

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 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

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

Wildlife lens

$299

Wider aperture

Slightly lighter

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115

Much wider aperture

Is a prime lens

Significantly worse telephoto

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

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

differences

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

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