Nikon NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR
Score: 74/100
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 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II is a lightweight, retractable telephoto zoom aimed at APS-C users. It offers solid optical performance, VR, and a silent AF motor, though its plastic construction and lack of weather sealing limit rugged use.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 55 mm | 50 mmbest |
200 mmbest | 50 mm | |
| ↓ lower better | 4 f | 1.8 fbest |
| ↓ lower better | 335 g | 159 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 100 mmbest | 111.3 mm |
| ↓ lower better | 110 cm | 35 cmbest |
0.23 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 | Nikon F | EF |
Autofocus Motor Type | Silent Wave Motor | STM |
Optical(5) | ||
Focal Length (Min) (mm) | 55 mm | 50 mm |
Focal Length (Max) (mm) | 200 mm | 50 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f-number) (f) | 4 f | 1.8 f |
Minimum Focus Distance (cm) | 110 cm | 35 cm |
Maximum Magnification Ratio (x) | 0.23 x | 0.21 x |
Physical(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 335 g | 159 g |
Length (mm) | 100 mm | 111.3 mm |
Filter Thread Diameter (mm) | 52 mm | 49 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the lens for its portability, solid optical performance and the addition of VR, while noting the plastic mount and lack of a built-in hood as drawbacks.
Everyday users love the lightweight travel companion and effective VR, but complain about the missing hood, cheap plastic feel, and reduced sharpness at 200 mm wide open.
“Perfect travel companion”
“Great for beginners”
“Game-changer for portraits and low light.”
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.
