Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom

Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom

Sony
65 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Nikon
97 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom

88 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews

This Sony 55-200mm telephoto zoom lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharp image quality, fast autofocus, and lightweight plastic build that balances well on Sony Alpha cameras. Users praise its value for money, noting excellent center and edge sharpness, minimal chromatic aberration, and smooth zoom. A few mention slight softness at 200mm and occasional autofocus hesitation, but overall it is highly recommended for portraits and outdoor photography.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Lightweight plastic build
  • Great value for money
  • Smooth zoom operation
Cons
  • Slight softness at 200mm
  • Occasional autofocus hesitation
  • Plastic build may feel cheap to some
  • Needs good light for handheld shots
👍 Image quality 8
👍 Autofocus performance 6
🤔 Build quality 5
👍 Value for money 5
👍 Weight and balance 4
👍 Zoom performance 3

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews

This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent value for money
  • Vivid color reproduction
  • Quiet autofocus
Cons
  • Plastic build feels fragile
  • Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
  • No image stabilization
  • Loose tolerances can affect focus
👍 Image quality 6
🤔 Build quality 4
👍 Value for money 5
👍 Weight and portability 4
👍 Autofocus performance 3
👎 Image stabilization 2

Scores

Street
Sony
59
Nikon
91
Budget
Sony
61
Nikon
89
Macro
Sony
41
Nikon
89
Travel
Sony
56
Nikon
86
Portrait
Sony
66
Nikon
83
Video Cinema
Sony
55
Nikon
76
Wildlife Sports
Sony
57
Nikon
71
Landscape
Sony
48
Nikon
70
Professional
Sony
50
Nikon
69

Specifications

Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto ZoomNikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Optics
Typetelephotozoom
Focal Length Min55 mm18 mm
Focal Length Max200 mm55 mm
Elements—7
Groups—5
Aspherical Elements—2★
ED Elements11
Coating—Super Integrated Coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/4f/3.5
Min Aperture4-5.63.5-5.6
Constant✗✗
Diaphragm Blades9★7
Build
MountSony ANikon F
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weight0.31 kg0.20 kg★
Filter Thread55 mm55 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeSAMpulse stepping motor★
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops—4 stops★
Focus
Min Focus Distance950 mm55 mm★
Max Magnification0.29x★—

Pros & Cons

Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom

  • Strong versatility (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong bokeh (84th percentile)84th %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
  • Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
  • Below average macro (30th percentile)
  • Below average optical (33rd percentile)

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

  • Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile

Pricing

Sony DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT Telephoto Zoom

No current pricing available

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Verdict

★ Winner: Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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