Digital Camera World (2019-06)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com JUNE 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^121

his subtle refresh of Nikon’s
original 18-200mm lens
gains a zoom lock switch
but retains the same
optical design and image stabiliser.
Nikon has subsequently launched two
18-300mm superzooms, but one is big
for a travel lens, and the other is more
basic, without a focus distance scale.
For image quality and performance,
the 18-200mm remains our favourite
Nikon superzoom, despite its more
limited telephoto reach.
There are three ED (Extra-low
Dispersion) elements in the optical
path and a second-generation
Vibration Reduction system.
Handling benefits from a smooth-
action zoom ring and a ring-type
ultrasonic autofocus system.

Performance
Overall image quality is impressive.
A weather-seal ring on the mounting
plate helps to block dust and moisture.

he two main choices of

superzooms for Micro Four

Thirds cameras are this

lens and the Olympus

14-150mm. They’re both similarly

priced but, on balance, we prefer the

Panasonic. It’s unfeasibly compact for

a superzoom, weighing in at just 265g.

Despite this, it manages to pack an

optical image stabiliser, which is

absent in the competing Olympus lens.

Ideal for both stills and movies,

the lens features a virtually silent

autofocus system based on a stepping

motor. As with the Canon, Nikkor and

Fujinon lenses, the focus ring remains

stationary during autofocus but

enables full-time manual override.

Performance

Sharpness is good at both ends of the

zoom range but less impressive in the

middle sector. Thanks to firmware

corrections, distortions are minimal

and colour fringing is negligible.

TT

Nikkor AF-S

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f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

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Lens mount Nikon DX

Panasonic Lumix

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5.6 II ASPH OIS

£619/$599

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Lens mounts Micro Four Thirds

Sharpness

Sharpness is great at short to

mid range and beats Nikon’s

new superzooms at 200mm.

Sharpness

Mid-range settings don’t

deliver great sharpness, but

it’s very good at both ends.

Fringing

Short 2.39 Long 2.65

Amounts of colour fringing are

typical for a superzoom lens.

Fringing

Short 0.94 Long 0.54

Fringing is entirely negligible,

even in image corners.

Distortion

Short -4.39 Long 1.3

Barrel distortion at the

short end is disappointing.

Distortion

Short -1 .7 1 Long 0.44

There’s minimal pincushion

at mid to long zoom settings.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

4.5 Outstanding 4.0 Excellent

4.5 4.5

Features Features

4.5 4.0

Performance Performance

4.0 3.5

Value Value

4.5 4.5

Build &

handling

Build &

handling

As a holiday or

travel lens, it beats

everything else in

this test group for

compactness and

lightweight build, yet

feels a quality item that

delivers good results.

It can’t match either of
Nikon’s new 18-300mm
lenses for outright
zoom range, but is still
the best Nikkor choice
for handling, image
quality and overall
performance.

Travel superzooms Group Test

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/3.5 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

18mm 70mm

135mm 200mm

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/3.5 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

14mm 70mm

100mm 140mm

BEST FOR

MFT

BEST FOR

NIKON