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

nikon-55-200mm-f-4-56g-if-ed-af-s-dx-vr-nikkorIf you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED DX VR delivered a very sound performance with very few weaknesses. The resolution characteristic is generally very good and neither CAs not distortions are something to worry about. The vignetting is a bit more pronounced at 135mm @ f/5 but otherwise not a real problem. The bokeh (out-of-focus blur) is naturally a bit underdeveloped due to the slow max. aperture but apart from this limitation is seems pretty smooth. …   A highly desirable new feature is naturally the VR (Vibration Reduction) mechanism. … However, I’d state that it isn’t quite as efficient as specified by Nikon though. The best thing of all is the very low price tag of the lens – by now it sells for less than 300€/US$. So you can get lots of bangs for you bucks if you can live with the comparatively slow max. aperture. READ FULL REVIEW

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

SLR Gear

The Nikon 55-200mm VR isn’t a perfect lens – There are some obvious issues with vignetting, and its focus mechanism is a bit of a step backwards from even slightly more expensive AF-S models. However, it’s sharper than most alternatives, controls chromatic aberration well, and distortion isn’t a real issue. Paired with Nikon’s basic 18-55mm kit lens, you would have a full range of focal lengths in two lenses, for half the overall price of the Nikon 18-200mm super-zoom. With a real improvement in optical characteristics from its predecessor design and the addition of VR image stabilization technology, you can’t do much better for the price. READ FULL REVIEW

Camera Labs

The Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR is one of the best value lenses around right now for Nikon DX-format DSLRs. It’s compact, light and perfectly complements the DX 18-55mm kit lens …   The addition of Vibration Reduction effectively reduces camera shake and in order to support AF on its entry-level DSLRs, Nikon’s had to equip the lens with a quick and quiet SWM focusing motor which gives the DX 55-200mm VR a degree of classiness that’s absent on rival budget telephoto zooms. … At this price point though you shouldn’t expect miracles, and indeed the DX 55-200mm VR can suffer from fringing and softness in the extreme corners of the frame, especially at longer focal lengths. The build quality is also fairly basic compared to higher-end lenses like the 70-300mm VR, although to be fair it’s not poor in any way and many photographers will prefer the light weight. … Ultimately if you’re happy with the build and optical quality of the DX 18-55mm kit lens and simply want something with a longer reach, then the DX 55-200mm VR is the lens to go for. READ FULL REVIEW

Thom Hogan

We’d forgotten about vignetting when we moved to digital SLRs, as the older lenses had much larger image circles than necessary, but with a small DX lens that barely covers the APS-sized sensor, it’s back. Variable aperture, the big issue is that at 200mm this is an f/5.6 lens, which means that autofocus in low light can be compromised slightly. Build quality doesn’t exceed the price point. What happened to AF-S? Much slower to focus than most AF-S lenses, and you can’t manually override the focus. No distance scale. Very good optics. Other than that vignetting, no fatal flaws worth mentioning, actually. Considering the price, good performance, and probably well-matched to the D40, D40x, or D70s, or even D200 purchaser. … Yes, the low-cost telephoto zoom is back in full force. If that’s what you want with your DSLR, this is a lens you should consider. Just don’t expect 70-200mm type autofocus performance. Price/Performance exceeded. This is a sharper, more featured lens than you’d expect for US$250. READ FULL REVIEW

Ken Rockwell

The Nikon 55-200mm VR is excellent and very inexpensive. READ FULL REVIEW

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