Best Image-Stabilized Nikon F-Mount Lenses

TL;DR: The Sigma 150‑600mm f/5‑6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary delivers super‑telephoto reach with a 4.25‑lb build, optical stabilization and fast HSM AF, but its variable aperture and premium price may limit low‑light use.

This lens’s most notable spec is its 150‑600 mm focal‑length range, paired with a minimum focusing distance of 2.8 m, letting you fill the frame with distant subjects while staying a comfortable arm’s length away. The optical design features 20 elements in 14 groups, a 9‑blade diaphragm and a maximum magnification of 1:4.9, which helps capture detailed wildlife shots.

Compared with the six other lenses in this roundup, the Sigma is considerably heavier at 4.25 lb, while the Nikon 55‑200 mm, Nikon 70‑300 mm, Nikon 55‑300 mm, Nikon 18‑55 mm VR, Sigma 17‑50 mm and Sigma 105 mm lenses all sit below 2 lb. Its 95 mm filter thread also dwarfs the 62 mm, 77 mm, 58 mm, 55 mm, 67 mm and 68.6 mm filters found on the peers, meaning you’ll need larger filters for front‑mount accessories. In length (260 mm) and full‑extension length (347 mm), it is longer than the compact primes and standard zooms, reflecting its super‑telephoto design.

Users repeatedly praise the lens’s manageable weight for a super‑telephoto, noting that the 4.25‑lb body lets them shoot handheld without a tripod. Professional reviewers highlight the Optical Stabilizer’s strong performance, describing it as effective for handheld telephoto work, and they commend the fast HSM autofocus for tracking moving subjects. The trade‑off is the variable maximum aperture, which narrows to f/6.3 at 600 mm, limiting low‑light capability, and some reviewers report edge softness at the extreme telephoto end. The construction uses a dust‑ and splash‑resistant mount, water/oil‑repellent coating and a detachable magnesium tripod socket, but the plastic‑heavy build appears less rugged than Sigma’s Sports line.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $1089.00

TL;DR: The Nikon 55‑200mm f/4‑5.6G ED VR lens delivers a lightweight, 4‑stop vibration‑reduction telephoto zoom for just $149, making it a solid entry‑level option despite some softness at the longest focal length.

This lens’s standout feature is its 4‑stop Vibration Reduction system, which lets you hand‑hold shots at slower shutter speeds. Weighing only 335 g (0.74 lb) and measuring 68.6 mm in diameter, 73 mm in height and 78.7 mm overall length, it stays compact enough to tuck into a small bag while still reaching 200 mm.

Compared with the six other lenses in this roundup, the 55‑200mm is the lightest of the longer‑reach options—significantly lighter than the 745 g Nikon 70‑300mm and the 580 g Nikon 55‑300mm—yet a bit heavier than the 205 g Nikon 18‑55mm VR lens. Its $149 price point also sits well below the pricier mid‑range and pro‑grade lenses, offering a more affordable telephoto solution than the longer‑focal Sigma models.

Users consistently praise the lens’s value, noting the “wonderful” VR performance and the ease of carrying a 335 g telephoto lens on travel trips. Professional reviewers echo the sentiment, calling it “no lens this cheap has a right to be this good.” However, both everyday shooters and experts point out a noticeable drop in sharpness at 200 mm, especially when shooting wide open, and some chromatic aberration at the extreme ends that often needs correction in post‑processing. Reviewers describe autofocus as slower, which can hurt fast‑moving wildlife shots.

Additional technical notes: the lens offers a close‑focus distance of 1,100 mm, a retractable design for easy storage, a Silent Wave Motor for quieter focusing, and a plastic mounting plate. Details such as diaphragm blade count, filter size and exact construction aren't listed in the specs.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level telephoto lens with effective image stabilization.

Avoid if: You need rapid autofocus for wildlife or demand premium build quality for demanding professional work.

TL;DR: The Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR offers a 5.5x telephoto zoom, VR II stabilization, and a lightweight 580 g build for DX shooters at $369.88.

This lens packs a 5.5x zoom range (55‑300mm) and a maximum angle of view of 28.8°, letting you capture distant subjects without a bulky setup. It focuses down to 1.4 m, and the whole package weighs just 580 g (about 1.28 lb), making it easy to carry on hikes or travel.

Compared with the other six lenses in the roundup, it sits in the middle of the weight spectrum: it’s lighter than the Nikon 70‑300mm Zoom Lens (≈1.64 lb) but heavier than the Nikon 55‑200mm Zoom Lens (≈0.74 lb). Its 58 mm filter thread is larger than the 55 mm thread on the Nikon 18‑55mm VR Lens yet smaller than the 67 mm thread on the Nikon 70‑300mm. In length, at 123 mm it’s longer than the 100 mm Nikon 55‑200mm but shorter than the 144 mm Nikon 70‑300mm.

Everyday users praise the lens for its long reach and the VR II system, which offers up to four stops of shake reduction, helping when shooting handheld at 300 mm. Professional reviewers highlight the Silent Wave Motor for quiet autofocus and the Super Integrated Coating for better contrast. Common complaints include noticeable softening in the corners at 300 mm, slower autofocus compared with higher‑end telephotos, and occasional zoom creep when you mount the lens on a tripod.

Technical details add confidence: the lens features a 9‑blade rounded diaphragm, distance‑information output for compatible bodies, and a built‑in tripod‑detect sensor that fine‑tunes VR performance. The construction uses 17 elements in 11 groups, including two ED elements and one high‑refractive‑index element to curb chromatic aberration.

Best for: Entry‑level to mid‑range Nikon DX owners who need an affordable, lightweight telephoto lens with reliable image stabilization.

Avoid if: You require professional‑grade corner sharpness, ultra‑fast autofocus, or rock‑solid build quality for demanding wildlife or sports work.

TL;DR: The Nikon 70‑300mm f/4.5‑5.6G VR lens packs a 4.3× telephoto zoom, VR II stabilization, and a lightweight 745 g body for budget‑friendly reach on DX cameras.

This lens’s standout feature is its VR II image‑stabilization system, which reviewers note delivers 2.5‑4 stops of shake reduction. At just 1.64 lb (745 g) it’s light enough for handheld shooting, and the 67 mm filter thread lets you add polarizers or ND filters without bulk. The 4.3× zoom ratio covers 70‑300 mm, giving a full‑frame angle of view from 34°20′ down to 8°10′, while the minimum focus distance of 1.5 m lets you get reasonably close to subjects.

Compared with the six other lenses in this roundup, the 70‑300mm sits in the middle of the weight spectrum: it’s heavier than the 18‑55mm (≈0.45 lb) and the 55‑200mm (≈0.74 lb), but lighter than the Sigma 150‑600mm (4.25 lb) and a touch heavier than the Sigma 105mm (≈1.60 lb). Its 67 mm filter size is larger than the 55‑55mm’s 55 mm thread yet smaller than the 95 mm filter required by the Sigma 150‑600mm. At 144 mm long, it’s longer than the compact 18‑55mm (62.5 mm) and the 55‑200mm (100 mm), but shorter than the 260 mm length of the Sigma 150‑600mm.

Everyday users praise the lens for its portability and the reliable AF‑S Silent Wave Motor, noting smooth focus transitions and solid center sharpness up to 200 mm. Professional reviewers highlight the effective VR II performance and the 9‑blade rounded diaphragm that yields pleasing bokeh. The most common criticisms focus on edge softness and chromatic aberration at the 300 mm end, and the variable f/4.5‑5.6 aperture that can limit low‑light work. Some outdoor shooters consider the lack of weather sealing a drawback.

Additional technical details include internal focusing (the lens doesn’t change length while focusing), distance information for precise exposure calculations, and Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. The 9‑blade rounded diaphragm helps maintain smooth out‑of‑focus areas, making the lens versatile for wildlife, sports, and portrait work on a budget.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: You want the best value-per-dollar in its price range

TL;DR: The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS HSM Macro delivers true 1:1 macro reproduction, fast HSM autofocus and built‑in optical stabilization in a compact 725 g package.

This lens packs a 105 mm focal length with a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture and a minimum focusing distance of 0.31 m, letting you fill the frame with tiny subjects at life‑size magnification. Optical Stabilizer (OS) adds several stops of shake reduction, and the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides quiet, high‑speed autofocus with full‑time manual override.

At 1.60 lb, the Sigma is lighter than the heavyweight Sigma 150‑600mm (4.25 lb) but a bit heftier than the Nikon 55‑200mm (0.74 lb). Its 0.31 m minimum focus is closer than the Nikon 55‑300mm (1.4 m) and Nikon 70‑300mm (1.5 m), yet a touch longer than the Nikon 18‑55mm VR (0.25 m) and Sigma 17‑50mm (0.28 m). The 62 mm filter thread is smaller than the 77 mm thread on the Sigma 17‑50mm, and the lens offers OS where the Nikon 18‑55mm relies on VR and the Nikon 55‑200mm has no stabilization.

Professional reviewers consistently note the lens’s excellent sharpness from f/2.8 to f/11, with strong corner performance thanks to its 16‑element, 11‑group construction and SLD glass. Users love the reliable handheld macro capability, but many point out the plasticky feel of the body despite the metal mount and a noticeable drop in sharpness past f/8 due to diffraction. Low contrast at f/2.8 improves when stopped down to f/4, a trade‑off several reviewers note.

Best for: Macro photographers who need true 1:1 reproduction with reliable handheld capability.

Avoid if: You prioritize premium, fully weather‑sealed construction or require consistently sharp performance at very small apertures.

TL;DR: The Sigma 17‑50mm f/2.8 offers a constant wide aperture, up‑to‑4‑stop optical stabilization, and a lightweight 565 g build, making it a travel‑ready standard zoom for APS‑C shooters.

What really sets this lens apart is its optical stabilization rated for up to 4 stops combined with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. At a minimum focusing distance of 280 mm (0.28 m) you can get close‑up detail without sacrificing light‑gathering ability, and the 7‑rounded diaphragm blades help keep highlights smooth.

Compared with the other six lenses in this roundup, the Sigma sits in the middle of the weight spectrum: it’s lighter than the Nikon 55‑300mm and Nikon 70‑300mm telephoto options, yet heavier than the ultra‑light Nikon 18‑55mm kit lens. Its 77 mm filter thread is larger than the 58 mm thread on the Nikon 55‑300mm, but smaller than the 95 mm thread on the Sigma 150‑600mm super‑telephoto.

Everyday users repeatedly praise the lens’s sharpness and vibrant colour rendition, especially when shooting at the maximum f/2.8 aperture. Professional reviewers echo this, noting “superior edge‑to‑edge sharpness at f/2.8” and applauding the four‑stop stabilization for low‑light work. The most common complaints involve soft corners and noticeable vignetting at the wide‑end 17 mm, plus the lack of a full‑time manual focus override on the HSM motor.

From a technical standpoint, the lens packs 17 elements in 13 groups, including two FLD and two aspherical elements that curb chromatic aberration. The Super multi‑layer coating reduces flare, and the HSM ultrasonic motor delivers quiet, fast autofocus—though it doesn’t support manual focus override during AF operation.

Best for: APS‑C DSLR shooters who want a compact, constant‑f/2.8 zoom with built‑in stabilization for travel or low‑light work.

Avoid if: You use a full‑frame body, need a fully metal construction, or require full‑time manual focus override.

TL;DR: The Nikon AF‑P DX 18‑55mm f/3.5‑5.6G VR packs a 4‑5 stop VR system and a feather‑light 205 g body into a versatile 3.1× kit zoom that’s ideal for beginners and travelers.

This lens’s standout feature is its Vibration Reduction system, which Nikon rates at up to four to five stops of shake mitigation. Coupled with an ultra‑light 205 g construction (0.45 lb) and a short 62.5 mm barrel, it stays comfortably balanced on DX‑format bodies for handheld shooting.

Compared with the other six lenses in this roundup, the 18‑55mm is the most portable. It weighs far less than the Nikon 70‑300mm Zoom Lens, which tips the scales at over 1.6 lb, and it’s also shorter than the 70‑300mm’s 144 mm length. Its 55 mm filter thread is smaller than the 67 mm thread on the 70‑300mm, making accessories easier to carry. While the telephoto options like the 55‑300mm and 55‑200mm offer longer reach, they also carry more bulk and heft, making the 18‑55mm the lightest and most travel‑friendly choice.

User feedback repeatedly praises the lens’s “feather‑light feel” and the silent AF‑P stepping motor, which professional reviewers note is video‑friendly for vloggers. Reviewers also highlight the central sharpness and the ability to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds thanks to VR. Common complaints focus on soft corners when shooting wide open at f/3.5‑5.6 and the basic plastic build that feels less rugged than higher‑end zooms.

Technical details reinforce its kit‑zoom role: a minimum focusing distance of 0.25 m lets you get close to subjects, while the 3.1× zoom ratio (18‑55mm) covers wide‑angle to short‑telephoto perspectives. The lens delivers a maximum magnification of 0.38× (1:2.6) and features seven rounded diaphragm blades for relatively smooth bokeh. Its VR system, AF‑P motor, and distance‑information output make it a solid all‑rounder for everyday shooting.

Best for: Beginners, travelers, and vloggers using Nikon DX DSLRs who want a compact, image‑stabilized kit zoom.

Avoid if: You need a rugged, professional‑grade lens with high‑resolution edge performance for demanding work.