Nikon 55-200mm Zoom Lens
Score: 69/100
Yongnuo YN50mm f.8
Score: 70/100Rankings
The Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.8 for Canon EF is an ultra-light, budget-friendly fast prime that delivers solid central sharpness. Its drawbacks include a plastic build, flare at wide apertures, and lack of image stabilization. Ideal for budget-conscious portrait and low-light shooters who value size and price over premium durability.
Nikon's 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR lens provides a versatile telephoto range with effective 4-stop vibration reduction in a compact, retractable design. Softness at the 200 mm end and a plastic build detract from its otherwise strong value. Ideal for budget-conscious DX users needing a lightweight zoom for travel and general photography.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 50 mmbest | |
— | 1.8best | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.1 m | 0.45 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 335 g | 119 gbest |
3.6best | — | |
— | 7best | |
0.3best | 0.2 | |
— | 6best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(1) | ||
Lens Mount | Nikon F | Canon EF |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | SWM | DC |
Focus Type | auto/manual | Auto |
Optics(4) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 55-200 mm | 50 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 4.0-5.6 | 1.8 |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 1.1 m | 0.45 m |
Macro Ratio | 0.289 | 0.15 |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 335 g | 119 g |
Length (mm) | 78.7 mm | 83 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consistently highlight the lens's exceptional value, compact build, and effective 4-stop VR, noting very good sharpness through most of the zoom range. However, they point out a clear weakness at 200mm where sharpness falls off, as well as chromatic aberration at the extremes, slower autofocus, and a plastic construction that feels cheap. The lack of advanced VR modes is also mentioned as a limitation for demanding shooting scenarios.
Everyday users echo the professional praise for value, lightweight design, and VR performance, often calling the lens a great addition to kit setups for travel and general photography. Common praise centers on sharp center performance and portability. Recurring complaints mirror the expert critiques, focusing on softness at 200mm, plastic build quality, and sluggish autofocus, with several users noting the limited VR mode options.
“"4-stop Vibration Reduction system enables handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds, improving low-light performance."”
“"Compact, retractable design reduces storage size and keeps lens weight at only 300 g for easy portability."”
“"Noticeable softness and loss of sharpness at the 200mm focal length, especially when shooting wide open."”
Professional reviewers commend the Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.8 line for its lightweight construction, fast quiet DSM autofocus (in newer mounts), and surprisingly high sharpness-especially the Fuji Pro's 11-element design. They also note the budget clones' brittle plastic build and the tendency to flare wide open, while praising the value proposition against native lenses.
Everyday users love the lens for its sharpness, bokeh and ultra-light weight, calling it a superb value for portrait and low-light work. Common complaints revolve around the cheap plastic feel of the budget versions, flare and corner softness at f/1.8, and occasional AF hunting in low light.
