N-Photo

Comparison table

NIKON

AF-S DX 18-55 mm

f/3.5-5.6G VR II

NIKON

AF-S DX 18-105 mm

f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

SIGMA

17-50mm f/2.8

EX DC OS HSM

SIGMA

17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC

Macro OS HSM | C

TAMRON

SP AF 17-50 mm

F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD

NIKON

AF-S DX 16-85 mm

f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

NIKON

AF-S DX 16-80mm

f/2.8-4E ED VR

NIKON

AF-S DX 17-55mm

f/2.8G IF-ED

http://www.nikon.com http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com http://www.tamron.co.uk http://www.nikon.com

Street price (UK, USA) £200, $250 £200, $395 £310, $420 £330, $400 £330, $650 £430, $700 £870, $1070 £980, $1500

Equiv. focal length (DX) 27-82.5mm 27-157.5mm 25.5-75mm 25.5-105mm 25.5-75mm 24-127.5mm 24-120mm 25.5-82.5mm

Internal zoom/focus No/No No/Yes No/Yes No/Yes No/Yes No/Yes No/Yes No/Yes

Elements/groups 11/8 15/11 17/13 16/14 19/14 17/11 17/13 14/10

Diaphragm (blades) 77777779

Optical stabiliser Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s N o

Focus type Ultrasonic (motor) Ultrasonic (ring-type) Ultrasonic (motor) Ultrasonic (motor) Electric motor Ultrasonic (ring-type) Ultrasonic (ring-type) Ultrasonic (ring-type)

Min. focus distance 0.28m 0.45m 0.28m 0.22m 0.29m 0 .38m 0.35m 0 .36m

Max. repro ratio 0.31x 0.20x 0.20x 0.36x 0.21x 0 .22x 0.22x 0 .20x

Filter thread size 52mm 67mm 77mm 72mm 72mm 67mm 72mm 77mm

Accessories included None Hood, pouch Hood, soft case Hood Hood Hood, pouch Hood Hood, pouch

Diameter x min. length 60x66mm 76x89mm 84x92mm 79x82mm 80x95mm 7 2x85mm 80x86mm 86x111mm

Weight 195g 420g 565g 465g 570g 485g 480g 755g

FEATURES

BUILD/HANDLING

PERFORMANCE

VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

HOW THE LENSES COMPARE

What’s good: Great handling, autofocus and

stabilisation, electromagnetic diaphragm.

What’s bad: Sharpness could be a little better,

expensive to buy.

Our verdict: While it’s the outright winner, it’s not

fabulous value, especially in the UK.

Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm

f/2.8-4E ED VR££ 870 , $ 110070

Nikon’s new 16-80mm VR is simply

the best DX-format standard zoom that

money can buy. It’s reasonably compact

and light, offers a fairly fast maximum

aperture throughout its zoom range,

and boasts fast AF, effective image

stabilisation and great handling. Even

so, the less costly Tamron 24-70mm VC

comes close in terms of image quality,

and boasts a constant f/2.8 aperture.

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Nikon’s 16-85mm, meanwhile, has an

impressive zoom range, but sharpness is

disappointing. Similarly, both Sigma

lenses in the group are good value, but

the 17-50mm has fairly poor corner

sharpness, while the 17-70mm lacks

sharpness at longer zoom settings.

The Nikon 17-55mm is a pro-grade

lens with build quality to match, but it’s

expensive, lacks image stabilisation and

image quality isn’t overly special. Of the

two Nikon ‘kit’ lenses, the 18-105mm

wins out for features, handling and

zoom range, while the 18-55mm is

amazingly compact and lightweight.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm

f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD

What’s good: Image quality,

constant f/2.8 aperture.

What’s bad: Noisy autofocus,

unrefined handling.

Our verdict: Unbeatable value.

Nikon AF-S DX 16-85mm

f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

What’s good: Big zoom range,

wide-angle coverage.

What’s bad: Slightly sluggish

AF, sharpness is disappointing.

Our verdict: Good features and handling.

TThe winnner iss... RRunners--up

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134 March 2016 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

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