Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED vs AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

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

Wider aperture

f/4

f/4.5

At its widest, the AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops

Lighter

335 g

0.7 kg

2.2x lighter

Slightly better wide angle

55 mm

70 mm

More than 20% better wide angle

Slightly cheaper

$246.95

$586.95

The best price we've seen is $340 cheaper (2.4x less)

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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Very good image stabilization
	Nikon VR

	Silent focus motor
	Silent and fast

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Very narrow widest aperture size

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:	f/4.5
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:	0.7 kg
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	335 g

Inexpensive

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:	$586.95
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	$246.95

Good wide-angle

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED:	70 mm
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:	55 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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

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

Wildlife lens

$449

Has worse image stabilization

Lacks a silent focus motor

Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

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

Macro lens

$199

Has better macro

Doesn't have image stabilization

Lacks a silent focus motor

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

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

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

Macro lens

$199

Has better macro

Doesn't have image stabilization

Lacks a silent focus motor

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

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

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

Travel lens

$330

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

Travel lens

$847

Has better image stabilization

Has way more large zoom range

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

Has a slightly longer telephoto lens

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

Travel lens

$1,047

Much more zoom

Wider aperture

Slightly more expensive

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Wildlife lens

$1,499

Better telephoto

Slightly more zoom

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Heavier

Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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

Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$159

Slightly more zoom

Much wider aperture

Worse image stabilization

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

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 VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
vs
Nikon Nikkor
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

differences

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

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