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Nikon 55-300mm Zoom Lens — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Camera LensesNikon 55-300mm Zoom Lens

Nikon 55-300mm Zoom Lens — image 1

Nikon

Nikon 55-300mm Zoom Lens

$368.66$399.958% off

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2197Black55-300MM 1 year coverage for parts

Expert Review Analysis

The Nikon AF‑S DX NIKKOR 55‑300mm f/4.5‑5.6G ED VR is a compact super‑zoom lens for DX‑format cameras offering a 5.5× zoom range (55‑300mm, 82.5‑450mm equivalent) with vibration‑reduction and a Silent Wave Motor for quiet autofocus. It balances reach, lightweight construction, and decent image quality, making it a popular choice for entry‑level and enthusiast photographers.

✓ Best for: Entry‑level to mid‑range Nikon DX owners who need an affordable, lightweight telephoto solution for sports, wildlife, travel, family portraits, and casual macro work.✗ Not ideal for: Professional photographers requiring top‑edge sharpness across the frame, ultra‑fast autofocus for fast action, or a lens with a larger maximum aperture for low‑light situations.

Pros

✓Long telephoto reach of 55-300mm (82.5-450mm equivalent) provides excellent reach for DX users in a compact package.
✓VR II image stabilization offers up to 4 stops of shake reduction, improving handheld shooting at long focal lengths.
✓

Price History

Current

$368.66

Average

$341.53

Lowest

$129.95

Highest

$449.99

Price trend (90d):-4.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#85Best#27Worst#603 -52

Lower = better sales rank

Specifications

Camera

Focal Length Range55-300 mm

Zoom Ratio5.5x

Maximum Aperturef/4.5-5.6

Minimum Aperturef/22-29

Maximum Angle of View28.8° degrees

Design

Height77 mm mm

Width77 mm mm

Length123 mm mm

Weight580 g g

Filter Size58 mm mm

Features

Snap-on HoodHB-57

Aperture RingG-series (no aperture ring)

General

BrandNikon

ModelAF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

ColorBlack

Warranty1 year

Coating

Coating TypeSuper Integrated Coating (SIC)

Construction

Body MaterialPolycarbonate body with metal mount and rubber seal

Filter

Filter RotationFront filter rotates during focusing

Dimensions & Weight

Height3.03149 inches

Width3.03149 inches

Depth4.84251 inches

Weight1.2786811196 pounds

Research Sources

photographylife.com

en.wikipedia.org

photoartfromscience.com

imaging-resource.com

kenrockwell.com

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User Reviews

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4.4

(5,505 reviews)

Silent Wave Motor AF provides quiet and relatively fast autofocus, suitable for wildlife and sports photography.

✓9‑blade rounded diaphragm delivers smooth bokeh and pleasing background separation at mid apertures.

✓Close minimum focusing distance of 1.4 m across the zoom range enables macro‑like shots with 0.28‑0.315× magnification.

✓Lens construction includes two ED elements and one high‑refractive‑index element to reduce chromatic aberration and maintain contrast.

Cons

✗Corner sharpness softens noticeably when shooting wide open, especially at the 300mm end, leading to less usable edge detail.
✗Maximum apertures of f/4.5‑f/5.6 and small minimum apertures (f/22‑f/29) limit low‑light performance and increase diffraction at smaller apertures.
✗Zoom mechanism exhibits some creep and body wiggle, and the front filter rotates during focusing, which can be inconvenient.
✗Autofocus speed is slower than professional telephoto lenses, taking up to 1.5 seconds for a full rack, which may miss fast action.
✗Overall weight of around 580 g, while moderate, is heavier than some competing superzooms and can affect handheld stability.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Professional reviewers highlight the lens’s 5.5× zoom reach (55‑300mm) as a strong value proposition for DX‑format shooters.
✓The Silent Wave Motor is praised for its quiet operation, making it suitable for wildlife and event photography.
✓VR II stabilization is commended for delivering up to four stops of shake reduction, improving handheld telephoto shots.
✓Inclusion of two ED glass elements and a high‑refractive‑index element is noted for reducing chromatic aberration and enhancing contrast.

Criticized by Experts

✗Reviewers note that corner sharpness deteriorates at 300mm, with 3 blur units of softness, making edges less usable.
✗The lens’s autofocus is considered slower than professional alternatives, with full‑rack times around 1.5 seconds.
✗Zoom creep and slight body wiggle are mentioned as build‑quality concerns, especially when using the lens on a tripod.
✗Diffraction becomes noticeable at apertures smaller than f/16, reducing overall resolution in low‑light situations.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Users appreciate the lens’s ability to capture sharp distant subjects in sports and wildlife scenarios.
✓The effective VR system is frequently mentioned as helpful for handheld telephoto shooting without blur.
✓Compact size and relatively low weight make the lens convenient for travel and everyday carry.
✓Close focusing capability allows photographing insects and small subjects with a 3‑inch field of view at 300mm.

Users Complain About

✗Many users report zoom creep and wobble during operation, which can affect framing stability.
✗Slow autofocus performance is a common complaint when trying to capture fast‑moving action.
✗Softness in the corners at the telephoto end is frequently mentioned as a drawback.
✗Front filter rotation while focusing and less effective VR on a tripod are noted as inconveniences.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the Nikon 55‑300mm for its generous reach, quiet Silent Wave Motor, and effective VR II stabilization, noting that the ED and HRI elements keep chromatic aberration low. However, they criticize the soft corner performance at 300mm, slower autofocus compared to higher‑end telephotos, and diffraction limits when stopping down beyond f/16.

What Users Say

Everyday users love the lens for its lightweight, travel‑friendly design, solid VR performance, and ability to get close‑up shots of insects, but they repeatedly mention zoom creep, slower AF for action, and noticeable softness in the telephoto corners as recurring pain points.

Common Complaints

Zoom creep and body wiggle, slow autofocus for moving subjects, corner softness at 300mm, front filter rotation during focusing, and VR performance that diminishes on a tripod without sensor detection.

What People Are Saying

“Users praise sharp distant shots for sports/wildlife, effective VR for handheld telephoto, compact size/weight for travel, and close focus for insects (e.g., 3-inch field at 300mm).”
User reviews

“Common complaints include zoom creep/wiggle, slow AF for action, soft 300mm corners, filter rotation, and VR less effective on tripod without sensing.”
User reviews

How It Compares

vs. Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD (DX)

Advantages

✓Much broader 18‑400mm focal range gives greater versatility for travel and all‑in‑one use

Disadvantages

✗Heavier (~710 g) and bulkier than the Nikon 55‑300mm

Choose the Nikon 55‑300mm if you prioritize lighter weight, better center sharpness, and lower cost; choose the Tamron if you need the ultimate zoom range in one lens.

vs. Sigma 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

Advantages

✓Lighter (~400 g) and generally cheaper, making it easy to carry

Disadvantages

✗Shorter reach (max 250mm) and less VR performance compared to Nikon’s 4‑stop VR II

Select the Nikon 55‑300mm when you need extra reach and stronger stabilization; the Sigma is a good lightweight alternative for those who can live with a shorter telephoto range.

vs. Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E AF-P VR (FX/DX)

Advantages

✓Faster AF‑P stepper motor and slightly sharper performance at the telephoto end

Disadvantages

✗Heavier (680 g) and more expensive, with a larger overall size

The Nikon 55‑300mm is ideal for DX users seeking a compact, budget‑friendly superzoom, while the 70‑300mm suits photographers who need the best AF speed and edge sharpness and are willing to carry extra weight and cost.

Rating Trend

Rating4.4/ 5Reviews5,505+112 reviews -0.19

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