Pentax SMC
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Better telephoto 300 mm vs 200 mm
Help
 50% more reach, less perspective distortion
More zoom 5.5x vs 3.6x
Help
 Around 50% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly more magnification 1:3.5 (0.3x) vs 1:4 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 10% larger in your photo
Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Learn more about
the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

Reasons to consider the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
Image stabilization Nikon VR vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Has a silent focus motor Nikon AF-S vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Slightly shorter 100 mm vs 111 mm
Help
 Around 10% shorter
Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED 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

LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
f/4
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weight Light weight Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:440 g
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:335 g
Length Short Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:111 mm
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:100 mm
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
55 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:$396.95
AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED:$246.95

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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 SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 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

Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k

Wildlife lens

$399
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Pentax SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

Pentax SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

Wildlife lens

$197
Weight Slightly lighter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR

Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR

Travel lens

$497
Wide maximum Much narrower aperture
Zoom range More zoom
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

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

Macro lens

$165
Magnification More magnification
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef

Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef

Travel lens

$279
Zoom range Much more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

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

Advantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$299
Max focal length Better telephoto
Zoom range More zoom
Focus motor 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 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
Max focal length Better telephoto
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 DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
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
Max focal length Better telephoto
Zoom range Slightly more zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Weight Heavier
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
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
Aperture Wider aperture
Min focal length Better wide angle
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range 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

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

Travel lens

$330
Zoom range More zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Magnification 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

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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