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Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Review

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II

Main Features

  • 18-55mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Nikon F (DX) Mount
  • Weight: 195g.
  • Diameter: 60mm
  • Length: 66mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m
  • Max Magnification:0.31x
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Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Overview

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Standard Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and APS-C / DX max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with Nikon F (DX) mount cameras.

Nikon replaced the older Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II vs Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR

What type of photography is the Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeFair
SportsFair
PortraitGood
TravelGood
StreetGood
WeddingGood
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingGood
LandscapeVery Good
MacroAverage

Lenses in Nikon F (DX) Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G II Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G II
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APS-C / DX 205gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR
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APS-C / DX 265gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR
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APS-C / DX 205gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G Lens Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G
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APS-C / DX 195gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Lens

Here, we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Autofocus
Minimum focus distance of 0.28m / 11.0 inch
Light weight at only 195g / 6.9 oz
Report a correction

Buy Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing
Hood is not supplied
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture

Lens Mount

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II is compatible with cameras that have 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.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II has a maximum diameter of 60mm and total length of 66mm when not extended . It weighs 195g / 6.9 oz.

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II has a filter thread of 52mm.

Focal Range

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II has a focal range of 18-55mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Optical Image Stabilization

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.31x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.31x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Aperture

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 18mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f36 at 55mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
18mm F3.5 F22
55mm F5.6 F36

Optical Formula

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II's optical formula consists of 11 elements in 8 groups . Special elements used in this design is 1 aspheric element.

Lens Hood

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II doesn't come with a lens hood but there is an optional lens hood with a part code of HB-69 that you can order separately.

Popular Comparisons of Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
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Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF
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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.8G Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.8G
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35mm FF 185gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR
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APS-C / DX 485gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
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APS-C / DX 395gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
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APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Alternatives in Nikon F (DX) Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8G ED-IF Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 17-55mm f2.8G ED-IF
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APS-C / DX 755gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G II Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G II
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APS-C / DX 205gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR
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APS-C / DX 265gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR Lens Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR
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APS-C / DX 205gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G Lens Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G
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APS-C / DX 195gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX Lens Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX
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APS-C / DX 610gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
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APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
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APS-C / DX 395gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
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APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF
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APS-C / DX 570gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Nikon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Nikon F (DX)
Max Format APS-C / DX
Focal Range 18-55mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 3.1X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F36.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11
Optical Groups 8
Special Elements 1 aspheric element

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.28m
Max Magnification 0.31X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micro-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Extending front
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 195g
Diameter 60mm
Length 66mm
Materials Polycarbonate
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 52mm
Filter Notes Filters do not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied No
Hood Code HB-69
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II
is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II
is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II
Does Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II have Image Stabilization?
Does Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G VR II
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