Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18 105mm F 3 5 5 6G ED VR Review | 54 Data compared

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR as a cost-effective, versatile mid-range zoom with high-quality textured plastics and effective Vibration Reduction (VR). The lens offers smooth, fast focusing via a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and produces good sharpness in the center, making it a capable, lightweight kit option. However, the lens has a plastic mount that requires care and exhibits significant, albeit correctable, barrel distortion at 18mm. Other downsides include softer corner sharpness at wider apertures and moderate flare sensitivity, particularly when shooting in backlight.

The PCMag review awards the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR an "Excellent" 4.0 rating, defining it as a highly capable and affordable upgrade over standard 18-55mm kit lenses. Tested on a Nikon D7100, the lens delivers impressive center-weighted sharpness across its entire 5.8x zoom range, exceeding 1,800 lines per picture height in lab tests. Key pros highlighted in the review include its exceptional sharpness—peaking at 2,860 lines at 18mm (f/5.6)—alongside a reliable built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) system that compensates for handheld camera shake. It is also praised for its sturdy build quality, compact 14.8-ounce frame, and highly attractive price point of $399.95 MSRP, making it significantly cheaper than competing lenses in its class. However, the review details a few notable compromises inherent to its versatile zoom design. Prominent cons include noticeable distortion, characterized by 3.5% barrel distortion at the 18mm wide end—which creates a slight fisheye effect—and over 2% pincushion distortion at 70mm and 105mm focal lengths. The optics also suffer from softer image edges at longer focal lengths, with edge resolution dropping to 1,454 lines at...

Ken Rockwell's review highlights the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR as a lightweight, versatile, and budget-friendly "walk-around" lens, offering a practical, well-distributed zoom range with VR image stabilization for DX-format cameras. It is praised for its close-focusing capabilities and is considered a superior, affordable alternative to basic kit lenses. However, the lens has notable flaws, including significant corner softness, particularly at 18mm, and pronounced, often challenging, optical distortion throughout the zoom range. It also features a plastic barrel and lens mount, which necessitates careful handling compared to more robust, professional lenses.

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a highly versatile alternative to the standard 18-55mm kit lens, offering a practical 5.8x zoom range that handles a wide variety of photographic situations without requiring lens changes. Built primarily with a plastic body and mount, the lens features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that ensures fast, nearly silent autofocus that works efficiently even on entry-level Nikon bodies without internal motors. One of its standout features is the integrated image stabilization system, which delivers an impressive effectiveness of roughly 4 stops. Central sharpness is another notable pro, reaching high resolution values across various focal lengths and apertures, all at a very favorable and attractive retail price. However, the lens compromises on several optical fronts to remain consumer-friendly. Its primary cons include a distinct softness and moderate performance in the corners, alongside high levels of distortion across all focal lengths—especially at the 18mm wide end. Vignetting is also somewhat high at the extreme focal lengths of 18mm and 105mm when shooting wide open. Furthermore, the lens is notably sensitive to backlight, which...

The Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR is a versatile beginner kit zoom lens designed for Nikon DX-format cameras, offering an excellent, highly flexible focal range for everyday photography and travel. In terms of performance, the lens features a highly accurate and rapid Silent Wave Motor autofocus system, reliable built-in image stabilization (VR), and a lightweight design. Surprisingly, it delivers impressive sharpness at its 105mm long end even when shot wide open at f/5.6. While it may not fully maximize the potential of newer 24-megapixel sensors at a pixel level, it yields great, colorful, and consistent images for normal screen-sized viewing. However, the lens does compromise on physical construction and wide-angle performance to maintain its budget-friendly price point. Its most notable downside is a cheap plastic mount, which many users dislike, alongside an overall mediocre build quality that lacks a distance scale. Optically, its f/3.5-5.6 variable aperture limits shooting in darker environments, and its 18mm wide end suffers from noticeable distortion and weaker corner sharpness compared to alternatives like the Tamron 17-50mm. Ultimately, the reviewer deems it an excellent...

The Photo Review analysis of the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens highlights it as a well-built, general-purpose zoom with a versatile 5.8x range and above-average optical performance, delivering excellent central sharpness. Key advantages include its efficient Vibration Reduction (VR) system, quick and quiet internal focusing, and a 27–157.5mm equivalent focal length range. However, the lens has notable drawbacks, including a plastic mount, a small manual focus ring, and significant distortion that shifts from barrel at 18mm to pincushion at longer lengths. Additionally, the review notes visible lateral chromatic aberration at wider focal lengths and prevalent corner vignetting across the range.

The Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is an affordable consumer kit lens designed specifically for APS-C format Nikon DSLRs, providing a versatile full-frame equivalent focal range of 27-157.5mm. Built on a plastic chassis with a plastic lens mount, it delivers decent build quality for its price point and includes internal focusing, preventing the 67mm front filter thread from rotating. It is equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (AF-S) for compatibility with entry-level Nikon bodies, alongside a first-generation Vibration Reduction (VR I) optical image stabilization system that realistically yields a 2-stop advantage against camera shake in field conditions. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons of the lens. On the positive side, its main advantages include a highly attractive and flexible zoom range, a very affordable price of around 230€/310$, functional optical image stabilization, smooth zoom and focus ring operation, and the complete absence of zoom creeping. Conversely, the cons include a cheaper plastic lens mount, noticeable inner tube wobbling when fully extended via its duo-cam design, and the omission of both a distance scale and a dedicated...