Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
Score: 72/100
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Score: 85/100Rankings
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact, fast prime lens offering excellent sharpness and silent autofocus, making it a great value for beginners and vloggers, though its plastic construction and lack of a hood limit its professional appeal.
The Nikon AF-S DX 55-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a budget-friendly telephoto zoom that delivers solid image quality and useful vibration reduction for DX-format shooters. Its plastic construction and slower AF make it less suitable for demanding professional use.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 55 mm | 50 mmbest |
300 mmbest | 50 mm | |
| ↓ lower better | 4.5 f | 1.8 fbest |
| ↓ lower better | 580 g | 159 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 123 mm | 111.3 mmbest |
| ↓ lower better | 140 cm | 35 cmbest |
0.28 xbest | 0.21 x | |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Image Stabilization | true | false |
Mount & Compatibility(2) | ||
Mount Type | F-mount | EF |
Autofocus Motor Type | SWM | STM |
Optical(5) | ||
Focal Length (Min) (mm) | 55 mm | 50 mm |
Focal Length (Max) (mm) | 300 mm | 50 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f-number) (f) | 4.5 f | 1.8 f |
Minimum Focus Distance (cm) | 140 cm | 35 cm |
Maximum Magnification Ratio (x) | 0.28 x | 0.21 x |
Physical(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 580 g | 159 g |
Length (mm) | 123 mm | 111.3 mm |
Filter Thread Diameter (mm) | 58 mm | 49 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the lens for delivering sharp, high-contrast images across most of its range and for its effective VR II system, while noting the slower AF motor and lack of full-time manual focus.
Everyday users appreciate the lightweight build, long reach, and VR performance, but complain about sluggish low-light autofocus and the extending barrel that invites dust.
“Game-changer for portraits and low light.”
“So much sharper than the kit zoom.”
“Perfect for vlogging and YouTube-quiet focus and nice background blur.”
Professional reviewers rate the lens highly for its performance-to-price ratio, praising its sharpness, compactness, quiet STM autofocus and smooth bokeh, while noting the plasticky feel and lack of a hood as drawbacks.
Everyday users love the affordability, sharpness and video-friendly autofocus, but complain about the cheap plastic build, missing hood and the quirky focus-by-wire behavior.
