vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Better telephoto 400 mm vs 300 mm
Help
More than 30% more reach, less perspective distortion
Wider aperture f/4 vs f/4.5
Help
At its widest, the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Learn more about
the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

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

Image stabilization Nikon VR vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Shorter 123 mm vs 196 mm
Help
Around 40% shorter
Lighter 0.6 kg vs 1.6 kg
Help
2.7x lighter
Cheaper $396.95 vs $1,998.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $1,601 cheaper (5x less)
Slightly better wide angle 55 mm vs 70 mm
Help
More than 20% better wide angle
Slightly smaller diameter 77 mm vs 94 mm
Help
Around 20% smaller lens at the end
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

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:Sony SSM
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:Nikon AF-S
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:400 mm
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:300 mm
Zoom range Great zoom Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:5.7x
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:5.5x
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:f/4
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:f/4.5
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:70 mm
AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:55 mm

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$1,499

Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Length Is longer
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
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,019

Max focal length Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Aperture Has a narrower aperture

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,499

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Zoom range Less zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,509

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Zoom range Significantly more zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$499

Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Length Shorter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Wildlife lens

$998

Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Length Shorter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Aperture Narrower aperture
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Wildlife lens

$449

Weight Lighter
Lowest price Cheaper
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor

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
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

$247

Aperture Wider aperture
Length Slightly shorter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
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
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
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

Aperture Wider aperture
Length Shorter
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Magnification Less magnification

discussion Which do you think is better?

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