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Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II vs Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II and the Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II if you want a brighter f/3.5 (0.4 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds and a wider view (from 27mm equivalent). On these specs the Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II has no clear advantage: choose it if the price, the handling or a lens you own decides it.

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II and the Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II

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 DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II	Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II
Maker	Nikon	Nikon
Focal length	18-200mm (zoom)	55-200mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	27-300mm on APS-C	82-300mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-5.6brighter	f/4-5.6
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Nikon F	Nikon F
Stabilised	yes	yes
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	11.1×more range	3.6×
Cameras it fits	17 in this guide	17 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II: 18-200mm on APS-C, like 27-300mm.

Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II: 55-200mm on APS-C, like 82-300mm.

Aperture

Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II: f/3.5 wide open.

Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II: f/4 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.