Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom NIKKOR 55 200mm F 4 5 6G IF ED Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor is an entry-level, budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens engineered for APS-C (DX) format cameras. According to the Imaging Resource review, the optic delivers impressive overall value, exceeding performance expectations for its $200–$250 price point. Key pros include its very decent, highly uniform frame sharpness, exceptionally low chromatic aberration through the mid-range focal lengths, and geometric distortion that remains inline with standard expectations. Furthermore, the lens features a light, well-balanced plastic construction with smooth zoom ring operation and an internal focus design. The integrated Vibration Reduction (VR) system is another major pro, enabling sharp handheld images at shutter speeds roughly two to three stops slower than usual. Conversely, the review highlights several cons related to optical flaws and physical operation. The most significant drawback is severe corner shading (vignetting) when shooting wide open across the entire zoom range, though it can be corrected in post-processing software. Mechanically, the internal autofocus motor (AF-S) is accurate and fully compatible with low-end camera bodies lacking internal motors, but its operation is relatively slow, taking about a...

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AF-S VR DX lens as a lightweight, budget-friendly telephoto zoom delivering excellent central sharpness and effective Vibration Reduction (VR) for handheld shooting, particularly when stopped down. Notable pros include the included deep circular lens hood for high contrast and its overall value for APS-C DSLR users. Conversely, the lens compromises on build quality with heavy use of plastic and a plastic mount, alongside a poorly damped manual focus ring and a rotating front element. Additionally, performance shortcomings include soft extreme edges and visible chromatic aberrations at the 200mm end.

The Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR lens is a highly portable, budget-friendly zoom lens that delivers surprisingly sharp images in the frame center, even when shooting wide open. Its lightweight plastic construction includes a solid, reverse-mountable bayonet lens hood that makes storage exceptionally compact. Additionally, the built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) system works efficiently without any automated "chatter," providing roughly 2.5 stops of stabilization to help capture sharp handheld photos at slower shutter speeds. However, the lens suffers from notable design limitations, including a plastic lens mount with no rubber weather seal, no distance focus scale, and a skinny, awkwardly placed plastic focus ring. Its autofocus mechanism ranks among Nikon's poorest, operating sluggishly and entirely failing to auto-focus via Live View in low or cloudy light conditions. Optically, while center sharpness is strong, the corners are marred by terrible meridional aberrations that mimic severe motion blur, alongside minor vignetting and chromatic aberrations. Furthermore, users cannot manually override the autofocus with the focus ring unless they physically switch the lens to manual mode.

The Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED DX VR is a consumer-grade zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C (DX) format Nikon DSLRs, offering a full-frame equivalent field of view of 82.5-300mm. Built with a plastic body and a plastic lens mount, it features a smooth, broad rubberized zoom ring and an improved single-tube extension design that enhances long-term reliability over its non-VR predecessor. The lens incorporates internal focusing, meaning the front element does not rotate and the lens size remains constant while focusing, making it easier to use filters. Its optical construction includes 15 elements in 11 groups with one ED element, alongside a 7-blade rounded aperture. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding the lens's overall performance. On the positive side, the build quality is a clear step up from the older non-VR version, the autofocus accuracy is very high, and the ultrasonic AF-S motor operates near-silently. Furthermore, the non-rotating 52mm front filter size and fixed lens length during focusing are highly practical design choices. On the downside, the lens is entirely consumer-grade with a plastic mount, and...

Ken Rockwell praises the Nikon 55-200mm VR as a bargain telephoto lens, highlighting its impressive sharpness, effective Vibration Reduction (VR), and lightweight design ideal for travel. It features ED glass for reduced aberration and is recommended for its high-performance-to-price ratio on DX cameras. Conversely, the lens has a plastic construction with a plastic mount, and its autofocus system is basic, featuring a rotating ring and requiring a switch to enter manual mode. It is restricted to DX (APS-C) sensors, with some vignetting and limited performance in high-speed tracking situations.