N-Photo - The Nikon Magazine - USA (2019-07)

(Antfer) #1

ith 16-300mm, 18-300mm and
18-400mm lenses packing the
superzoom sector of the
market, Nikon’s ageing
18-200mm certainly doesn’t win any prizes
for outright zoom range. Compared with all
of the Sigma and Tamron DX format lenses
on test, however, it has a more refined
ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system,
a dual-mode optical stabilizer, better
handling, and delivers superior image
quality. Since our last superzoom Big Test,


the price of the Nikon
18-200mm lens has also
dropped from around
£650 to £429, making
it much better value for money.
If you want a bigger zoom range than
the Nikon 18-200mm can offer, the Sigma
18-300mm gives the best overall
performance at the most reasonable
price. Nikon’s 18-300mm gives relatively
lacklustre image quality and is much more
expensive to buy. The Tamron 16-300mm

and 18-400mm win out if you’re determined
to extend your wide-angle coverage or
extra-long telephoto reach, respectively.
For a low-budget buy, the Tamron
18-200mm offers unbeatable value but the
Sigma 18-200mm comes a close second.
For FX format cameras, the Nikon
28-300mm is the top choice.

Features


Build & handling


Performance


Value


Overall


W


The winner is...


Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm


f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II


Nikon takes top honours in the superzoom stakes


Tamron
18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

Sigma
18-200mm
f/3.5-6.3 DC
Macro OS HSM | C

Sigma 18-300mm
f/3.5-6.3 DC
Macro OS HSM | C

Nikon AF-S DX
18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED
VR II

Tamron
16-300mm
f/3.5-6.3 Di II
VC PZD Macro

Tamron
18-400mm
f/3.5-6.3 Di II
VC HLD

Nikon AF-S DX
18-300mm
f/3.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-S
28-300mm
f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Contact http://www.tamron.
com

http://www.sigma-global.com http://www.nikon.com http://www.tamron.com http://www.nikon.com

Target price £199/$199 £279/$399 £369/$399 £429/$647 £499/$629 £649/$649 £669/$697 £929/$947
Effective zoom range
(DX)

27-300mm 27-300mm 27-450mm 27-300mm 24-450mm 27-600mm 27-450mm 42-450mm

Elements/groups 16/14 16/13 17/13 16/12 16/12 16/11 16/12 19/14
Mounting plate Plastic,
weather-sealed

Metal Metal Metal,
weather-sealed

Metal,
weather-sealed

Metal,
weather-sealed

Metal,
weather-sealed

Metal,
weather-sealed
Diaphragm 7 blades 7 blades 7 blades 7 blades 7 blades 7 blades 7 blades 9 blades
Optical stabilizer Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s
Focus type Electric (motor) Ultrasonic
(motor)

Ultrasonic
(motor)

Ultrasonic
(ring t yp e)

Ultrasonic
(motor)

HLD Ultrasonic
(ring t yp e)

Ultrasonic
(ring t yp e)
Focus ring during AF Rotates Rotates Rotates Stationary/
manual override

Stationary/
manual override

Rotates Stationary/
manual override

Stationary/
manual override
Front element
during focusing

Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed

Min focus distance 0.49-0.77m 0.39m 0.39m 0.5m 0.39m 0.45m 0.48m 0.5m
Max reproduction ratio 0.25x 0.33x 0.33x 0.22x 0.34x 0.34x 0.32x 0.32x
Filter size 62mm 62mm 72mm 72mm 67mm 72mm 67mm 77mm
Included accessories Hood Hood Hood Hood, pouch Hood Hood None Hood, pouch
Dimensions (dia x
length)

75x97mm 71x86mm 79x102mm 77x97mm 75x100mm 79x124mm 79x99mm 83x115mm

Weight 400g 430g 585g 565g 540g 710g 550g 800g

How the
superzooms
compare

SUPERZOOMS

Free download pdf