Carl Zeiss 000000-2096-555
Carl Zeiss
26 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Nikon
89 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Carl Zeiss 000000-2096-555
No customer feedback yet
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
88 out of 100 low confidence 8 reviews
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Image quality 7
Build quality 5
Vibration reduction 5
Weight 4
Value for money 4
Focal range 4
Scores
Budget
Portrait
Street
Macro
Travel
Video Cinema
Landscape
Professional
Wildlife Sports
Specifications
| Carl Zeiss 000000-2096-555 | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | — | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 85 mm |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | — | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | — | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | — | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | — | Nikon F |
| Format | — | APS-C★ |
| Weight | 0.70 kg | 0.48 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | — | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | — | AF-S |
| Stabilization | — | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | — | 380 mm★ |
Pros & Cons
Carl Zeiss 000000-2096-555
- Strong aperture (71st percentile)
- Strong bokeh (70th percentile)
- Below average build (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average macro (12th percentile)12th %ile
- Below average optical (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Winner: Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 18 specs.