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Best Rated Nikon Zoom Lenses – Comparison and Reviews | 2019-2020

January 5, 2020 by  
Filed under DSLR Lenses

Nikon SLR Zoom Lenses Comparison & Reviews – This is a roundup of the best rated Nikon Nikkor zoom lenses. Normal, Wide Angle, Telephoto and Super Telephoto. Unlike prime lenses, which have a fixed focal length, zoom lenses can give you a range, from wide angle to extreme telephoto. Find the best lenses for your Nikon DSLR on this page. The new Nikon DX lenses are specifically designed for Nikon SLRs with a DX sized Imager such as the D1, D1H, D1X, D100, D200, D300, D300s, D300 DX, D2H, D2Hs, D2X, D2Xs, D40, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7000, D7100, D7200 and D7300 . Most other Nikon lenses lenses can be used with any Nikon digital SLR whether Full Frame (FX) or DX. The exception is the D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500 which require autofocus AF-S lenses. These lenses are offered at Deep Discount Prices from Amazon and other top rated vendors. See our lens glossary at the bottom of this page. Also see Smart-Review’s Nikon Prime (fixed) Lens Page.

Nikon Wide Angle Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon DX
10-24mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
12-24mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX
14-24mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX
17-35mm
(AF-S)
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10-24mm
f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX
Wide Angle
Zoom Lens
12-24mm
f/4G ED IF AF-S DX
Wide Angle
Zoom Lens
14-24mm
f/2.8G ED AF-S
Wide Angle
Zoom Lens
17-35mm
f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
Wide Angle
Zoom Lens


Nikon Wide/Standard Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon FX
18-35mm
(AF)
Nikon DX
17-55mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
18-55mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
18-55mm
(AF-S)
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18-35mm
f/3.5-4.5G ED AF
Wide Angle
Zoom Lens
17-55mm
f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
Standard
Zoom Lens
18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX
Standard
Zoom Lens
18-55mm
f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR
Standard
Zoom Lens

Nikon Wide/Standard/Telephoto Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon DX
16-85mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
18-105mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
18-135mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX
24-70mm
(AF-S)
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16-85mm
f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
18-105mm
f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
18-135mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
24-70mm
f/2.8G ED AF-S
Wide/Standard
Zoom Lens

Nikon Wide/Standard/Telephoto Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon DX VR
18-200mm
(AF-S)
Nikon AF
24-85mm
(AF)
Nikon VR
24-120mm
(AF-S)
Nikon DX
55-200mm
(AF-S)
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18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
24-85mm
f/2.8-4.0D IF AF
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
24-120mm
f/4G ED Autofocus VR II
Wide/Telephoto
Zoom Lens
55-200mm
f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX
Telephoto
Zoom Lens

Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon DX
55-200mm
(AF-S)
Nikon VR
70-200mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX
80-200mm
(AF)
Nikon
70-300mm
(AF-S)
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55-200mm
f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
70-200mm
f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
80-200mm
f/2.8D ED AF
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
70-300mm
f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S
Telephoto
Zoom Lens

Nikon Telephoto Zoom Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon
70-300mm
(AF)
Nikon VR
80-400mm
(AF)
Nikon VR
200-400mm
(AF-S)
Sigma/Nikon
150-500mm
(AF)
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70-300mm
f/4-5.6G AF
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
80-400mm
f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
200-400mm
f.4.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR
Telephoto
Zoom Lens
150-500mm
f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM
Telephoto
Zoom Lens


Nikon Lens – Glossary of Terms

Nikon DX Lenses = were specifically designed for Nikon Digital SLRs with DX sized imagers (not full frame). These include: D1, D1H, D1X, D100, D200, D300, D2H, D2Hs, D2X, D2Xs, D40, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D7000, D7100 and D7200. SLRs with APS-C size imagers have a conversion factor of 1.6 applied to the lens focal length. These lenses were not designed for Nikon full frame SLRs (also known as FX imager SLRs).

DX Imager = This imager is smaller than a Full Frame imager. Lenses used on SLRs with DX imagers have a focal length about 1.6x that of full frame imagers. This means that the telephoto end of the lens will be greater. New digital lenses have been developed for these type of SLRs, however DX SLRs can use many regular Nikon lenses as well.
Full Frame Imager = This means that the imaging sensor is the same size as 35mm film. 35mm lenses will operate on these DSLRs with the same focal lengths as they do on 35mm film cameras.
VR = This denotes that this lens has built-in image stabilization (Vibration Reduction) to negate vibration and camera shake that can make pictures blurry. This is especially important with telephoto lenses where camera shake is magnified.
AF-S = This lens has a Silent Wave Motor – This is a special type of motor within a modern autofocus Nikon lens that allows for extremely quick focus shifts with very little sound. (Non AF-S lenses can be slow and noisier). An AF lens has autofocusing without the Silent Wave Motor. The d40, d40x, d60, d3000, d3100, D3200, D3300, d5000, D5100, D5200, D5300 and d5500 require AF-S lenses as they do not have a built in focus motor drive.
IF = This signifies Internal Focusing. Which allows for faster, smoother autofocusing and eliminates changes in lens barrel length for consistent handling.
ED = ED means that this lens has Extra-low Dispersion glass elements
for superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration.
G = This signifies a G-type NIKKOR lens which have no aperture control ring and are intended for use on Nikon Digital SLRs that allow the lens aperture to be adjusted via the camera’s command dial.


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