Compare lenses

Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR vs Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR and the Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR if you want optical stabilisation, which helps most on bodies without it and coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too. Pick the Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED if you want more reach (to 82mm equivalent) and a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter.

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR and the Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR	Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Maker	Nikon	Nikon
Focal length	24-70mm (zoom)	17-55mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	24-70mm	26-82mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Nikon F	Nikon F
Stabilised	yesstabilised	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.9×	3.2×
Weight	1070 g	not listed
Cameras it fits	17 in this guide	17 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR: 24-70mm.

Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED: 17-55mm on APS-C, like 26-82mm.

Aperture

Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR: f/2.8 wide open.

Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED: f/2.8 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

17 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.