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

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f
Image stabilization Tamron VC vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Slightly cheaper $649.00 vs $1,299.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $650 cheaper (2x less)
Slightly shorter 95 mm vs 112 mm
Help
 Around 20% shorter
Slightly lighter 0.6 kg vs 0.8 kg
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f Learn more about
the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Has a silent focus motor Nikon AF-S vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Nikon Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Learn more about
the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Fixed aperture Constant aperture lenses Help
The same aperture at all focal lengths
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f:50 mm
17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX:55 mm

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

Shared Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Low light lens

$197
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Prime lens Is a fixed focal length prime lens
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
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
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD [IF] Nikon-f

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

Wide angle lens

$459
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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon-f

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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Wide angle lens

$1,887
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Nikon Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Nikon Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Travel lens

$600
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Zoom range Has slightly large zoom range
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Compare the Nikkor 16-85mm 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 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon-f

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

Wide angle lens

$499
Magnification Has better macro
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
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
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Fixed aperture Has a variable 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 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f Competitors

Advantages

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

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

Wildlife lens

$449
Max focal length Significantly better telephoto
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Low light lens

$115
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Wider aperture
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D vs the SP 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Nikon-f

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF

Wide angle lens

$1,499
Zoom range Less zoom
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF vs the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

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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