Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

Slightly shorter

100 mm

117 mm

More than 10% shorter

Slightly better wide angle

55 mm

70 mm

More than 20% better wide angle

Slightly lighter

335 g

467 g

Around 30% lighter

Learn more about
the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

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

Better telephoto

300 mm

200 mm

50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly more zoom

4.3x

3.6x

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

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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

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

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

	Very narrow widest aperture size
	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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	335 g
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:	467 g

Inexpensive

AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	$246.95
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:	$149.95

Short

AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	100 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:	117 mm

Good wide-angle

AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	55 mm
70-300mm f/4-5.6G:	70 mm

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

competitors

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

Wildlife lens

$397

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

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

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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$217

Has a wider aperture

Is a fixed focal length prime lens

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Has slightly smaller zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

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

Wildlife lens

$180

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

Compare the Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

Wildlife lens

$299

Better telephoto

More zoom

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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

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

Wide angle lens

$90 - $197

Wider aperture

Better wide angle

Worse telephoto

Slightly less zoom

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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

Travel lens

$330

More zoom

Wider aperture

Worse telephoto

Slightly less magnification

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

Sports lens

$999

Has a consant aperture

Wider aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Longer

Compare the Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED vs the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

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

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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
vs
Nikon Nikkor
70-300mm f/4-5.6G

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

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