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Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G vs Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

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Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G

Standard Zoom | Nikon F (DX)

Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G
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Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD

Standard Zoom | Nikon F (DX)

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD, two Standard Zoom lenses from Nikon and Tamron.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G Key Specs

  • 18-55mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Nikon F (DX) Mount
  • Weight: 195g.
  • Diameter: 65mm
  • Length: 63mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:0.38x

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Key Specs

  • 17-50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Nikon F (DX) Mount
  • Weight: 430g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 82mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.27m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

What type of photography are the Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairAverage
PortraitGoodVery Good
TravelGoodVery Good
StreetGoodVery Good
WeddingGoodVery Good
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroAverageFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is the longer of the two lenses at 82mm. The Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G with a length of 63mm is 19mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD also has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G's 65mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G weighs 195g, which means it is 235g (54%) lighter than the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD which has a weight of 430g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (DX) Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Nikon F (DX) Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
92mm
84mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8G ED-IF Lens Nikon 17-55mm f2.8G ED-IF
111mm
86mm 755g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED VR Lens Nikon DX 16-80mm F2.8-4E ED VR
86mm
80mm 480g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF Lens Nikon 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF
76mm
73mm 420g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Nikon 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
85mm
72mm 485g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR
80mm
73mm 265g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR
63mm
65mm 205g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD has the same Nikon F (DX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Nikon F (DX) lenses are Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600.

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is also available in Canon EF , Sony Alpha and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G has a focal range of 18-55mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD has a focal range of 17-50mm and 2.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 25.5-75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G over Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Tele 55mm vs 50mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 3.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 195g vs 430g 235g lighter
Diameter 65mm vs 74mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Length 63mm vs 82mm 19mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.27m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.38x vs 0.22x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF over Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 18mm 1mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing

Common Strengths of Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G and Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nikon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Nikon Tamron
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (DX) Nikon F (DX)
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 18-55mm 17-50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No Yes
Zoom Ratio 3.1X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 - F38.0 F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 7
Optics
Optical Elements 12 16
Optical Groups 9 13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.27m
Max Magnification 0.38X 0.22X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 195g 430g
Diameter 65mm 74mm
Length 63mm 82mm
Materials Composite Unknown
Weather Sealing No Unknown
Filter Thread 55mm 67mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No Yes
Hood Code HB-N106 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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