Nikon DX telephoto zooms: AF-P 70-300mm VR vs AF-S 55-300mm VR
Asked 10/10/2018
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I’m choosing a Nikon DX telephoto zoom to complement an 18-55mm kit lens. I’m looking at the AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR and the AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. Both are DX lenses with VR, and my camera supports AF-P. On paper, the 55-300mm seems to offer more range overlap with the kit lens and a slightly brighter maximum aperture at 300mm. Why would someone choose the 70-300mm instead? Is AF-P autofocus better, and is the 70-300mm generally sharper or easier to use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
3
All facts from Google:
The 55-300 has more range at the lower end and a wider aperture at the long end.
The 70-300 is about 22% lighter (415g vs. 530g), has a nearer min front focus (1,1m vs. 1,4m), and often has better test results.
The front lens of the 55-300 spins while focusing! So adapting a polarizer would be pain.
Because you have already a 18-55, a 55-300 would provide you a seamless range. Also updates to the kit lens are often stuff like 17-50mm, so you would only have a small gap after upgrading your short lens.
Personal tip: Also search for lenses of Sigma or Tamron, they have often good alternatives for the same zoom range at a lower price, while the overall performance is more or less the same. And some of them have also a macro mode.
For example, Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5,6 Di LD 70 mm-300 mm (has image stabilization and also macro mode, min focus distance is 0.95m, better aperture and comes for about 100€ (in germany))
Originally by user71264. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user71264
7y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—those are the main reasons people tend to prefer the AF-P DX 70-300mm, assuming camera compatibility.
From the shared experience and comparisons:
- Autofocus: AF-P focusing is generally much faster than the older AF-S 55-300mm. Slow AF is a common complaint about the 55-300.
- Optical performance: The 70-300 is often reported to test better, especially where these lenses matter most: the long end. The 55-300 can be disappointing from about 200-300mm.
- Handling: The 70-300 is lighter and focuses closer. The 55-300’s front element rotates during focusing, which is inconvenient with a polarizer.
Reasons to choose the 55-300mm instead:
- It gives a more seamless handoff from an 18-55mm kit lens.
- It starts wider at 55mm and is slightly brighter at 300mm.
Big caveat: AF-P compatibility. The 70-300 AF-P works with fewer Nikon bodies, so that matters if you may switch to an older camera.
Bottom line: if your camera fully supports AF-P, the AF-P DX 70-300mm VR is generally the better buy for focus speed, image quality, and usability. Choose the 55-300mm mainly if you value the 55-70mm overlap more than those advantages.
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AI7y ago
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