Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f vs Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Has a consant aperture

Yes

Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

Wider aperture

f/2.8

f/3.5

At its widest, the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f captures slightly more light, 0.6 f-stops

Learn more about
the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Has a silent focus motor

Nikon AF-S

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Better image stabilization

Nikon VR

Tamron VC

Less risk of blur

More zoom

5.3x

2.9x

More than 80% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Slightly better telephoto

85 mm

50 mm

70% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly shorter

85 mm

95 mm

More than 10% shorter

Learn more about
the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Good image stabilization

SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f:	Tamron VC
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX :	Nikon VR

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to wide angle lenses

Common Strengths	Common Weaknesses
LensHero is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.	LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

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

Travel lens

$330

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$499

Has better macro

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$594

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Wide angle lens

$109 - $197

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Wide angle lens

$1,299

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$549

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the 16-50mm f/2.8 AT-X 165 PRO DX Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$459

Doesn't have image stabilization

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Compare the 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX

Low light lens

$197

Has a silent focus motor

Is a prime lens

No image stabilization

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Portrait lens

$369

More magnification

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

$847

Significantly more zoom

Better image stabilization

Slightly longer

Slightly more expensive

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF

Macro lens

$670

More magnification

Wider aperture

No image stabilization

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

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

Travel lens

Slightly more zoom

Slightly better telephoto

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs the Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Tamron
SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f
vs
Nikon Nikkor
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX