Smart-Review is supported by our readers. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission... Learn more

SmartReview.com Top Rated Products

Best Rated Nikon Prime (Fixed) Lenses – Comparison and Reviews 2019-2020

January 5, 2020 by  
Filed under DSLR Lenses

Nikon SLR Prime Lenses – This is a roundup of Nikon Nikkor prime lenses (also known as fixed focal length lenses). They come in Wide Angle, Standard (Normal), Micro, Telephoto, DX, and Super Telephoto. Unlike zoom lenses, prime lenses are fixed at a specific focal length. Although zoom lenses are very versatile, the prime lens can give you less distoration, more clarity, and offer faster (lower f-stop) lenses.

All Nikon SLRs can use Nikon prime lenses. (The D40, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, and D5500 require AF-S lenses for autofocus ). These lenses are offered at Deep Discount Prices from Amazon and other top rated vendors. See our glossary of terms at the end of this page. Compare the lenses below by features and reviews. Also see our new Nikon Zoom Lens Page.

Nikon Wide Angle Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon DX 10.5mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 14mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 16mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 20mm
(AF-S)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
10.5mm
f/2.8G ED AF DX
Fisheye Lens
14mm
f/2.8D ED AF
Wide Angle Lens
16mm
F/2.8D AF
Fisheye Lens
20mm
f/1.8G ED
Wide Angle Lens

Nikon Wide Angle Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon FX 24mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 24mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 28mm
(AF)
Nikon DX 35mm
(AF-S)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
24mm
f/1.4G ED AF-S RF SWM
Wide Angle Lens
24mm
f/2.8D AF
Fisheye Lens
28mm
f/2.8D AF
Wide Angle Lens
35mm
f/1.8G AF-S DX
Wide Angle Lens

Nikon Wide and Standard Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon 35mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 50mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 50mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 50mm
(AF)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
35mm
f/2D AF
Wide Angle Lens
50mm
f/1.8D AF
Standard Lens
50mm
f/1.4G SIC SW
Standard Lens
50mm
f/1.4D AF
Standard Lens

Nikon Micro Prime Lenses (closeup macro)
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon FX 60mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 60mm
(AF)
Nikon DX 85mm
(AF-S)
Nikon VR 105mm
(AF-S)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
60mm
f/2.8G ED AF-S
Micro Closeup Lens
60mm
f/2.8D AF
Micro Closeup Lens
85mm
f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR
Micro Closeup Lens
105mm
f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
Micro Closeup Lens

Nikon Micro and Medium Telephoto Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon 85mm
(AF)
Nikon 85mm
(AF)
Nikon FX 105mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 135mm
(AF)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
85mm
f/1.8D AF
Telephoto Lens
85mm
f/1.4D AF
Telephoto Lens
105mm
f/2.0D AF
Telephoto Lens
135mm
f/2.0D AF DC
Telephoto Lens

Nikon Telephoto and Super Telephoto Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon FX 180mm
(AF)
Nikon VR 200mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 300mm
(AF-S)
Nikon FX 300mm
(AF-S)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
180mm
f/2.8D ED-IF AF
Telephoto Lens
200mm
f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR
Telephoto Lens
300mm
f/4.0D ED-IF AF-S
Telephoto Lens
300mm
f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II
Telephoto Lens

Nikon Super Telephoto Prime Lenses
(Comparison & Reviews 2020)

Nikon VR 400mm
(AF-S)

Sigma Nikon 500mm Sigma Nikon 800mm

Is this the best price?
SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)

Is this the best price?

SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)

Is this the best price?

SmartReview.com Product Rating (Click for Reviews)
400mm
f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S SWM
Super Telephoto Lens
500mm
EX DG IF HSM APO
Super Telephoto Lens
800mm
f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO
Super Telephoto 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 and D7000. SLRs with DX 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.
FX = Full Frame lens. Can be used by both FX and DX cameras.
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, d60, d3000, d3100, d3200, d3300, d5000, d5200, D5300, and d5500 require AF-S lenses as they do not have a built in focus motor drive.
SWM = Silent Wave Motor Technology in AF-S NIKKOR lenses generates highly efficient rotational energy to focus the lens, enabling high-speed autofocusing that’s both accurate and extremely quiet.
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.


Related Nikon Lenses: Nikon SLR Zoom Lenses Comparison and Reviews

Related Article: Digital SLRs From $600 to $999 Comparison and Reviews

Related Article: Digital SLRs From $1000 to $1999 Comparison and Reviews

Related Article: Full Frame Digital SLRs Comparison and Reviews

Related Article: Best Digital SLRs and Mirrorless Cameras that Shoot 4K Ultra HD Video


Shop Nikon DSLR Lenses
(Clicking on shop buttons will open a new window)

Digital SLRs at Amazon.com Shop