Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Nikon
70 Overall Score
vs
Pentax DA 21987 35mm

Pentax DA 21987 35mm

Pentax
43 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

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

Pentax DA 21987 35mm

82 out of 100 high confidence 47 reviews

This Pentax 35mm f/2.4 lens is widely praised for its sharpness, color rendition, and value for money. Users consistently note that it outperforms its price point, with many calling it a bargain and a great walk-around lens. The main criticisms are the plastic build and mount, lack of a lens hood, and limited manual focus control, but these are often seen as acceptable trade-offs for the price. Overall, it's highly recommended for Pentax DSLR users seeking an affordable prime.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Excellent value for money
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good color rendition
  • Fast autofocus
Cons
  • Plastic build and mount
  • No lens hood included
  • Limited manual focus control
  • No aperture ring
  • Not weather-sealed
👍 Image quality 25
👍 Value for money 20
🤔 Build quality 15
👍 Portability 10
👍 Autofocus performance 8
👎 Lens hood 5

Scores

Macro
Nikon
75
Pentax
33
Travel
Nikon
73
Pentax
45
Budget
Nikon
62
Pentax
43
Street
Nikon
62
Pentax
45
Landscape
Nikon
61
Pentax
40
Wildlife Sports
Nikon
58
Pentax
35
Video Cinema
Nikon
54
Pentax
39
Professional
Nikon
50
Pentax
39
Portrait
Nikon
40
Pentax
30

Specifications

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DXPentax DA 21987 35mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min18 mm35 mm
Focal Length Max55 mm35 mm
Elements76
Groups55
Aspherical Elements2★1
ED Elements1★—
CoatingSuper Integrated CoatingPENTAX Super Protect (SP) coating
Aperture
Max Aperture22-38★f/22
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/2.4
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades7★6
Build
MountNikon FPentax K
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed—✗
Weight0.20 kg0.13 kg★
Filter Thread55 mm49 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypePulse Stepping Motor★Autofocus
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance55 mm★300 mm
Max Magnification—0.17x★

Pros & Cons

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

  • Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
  • Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)

Pentax DA 21987 35mm

  • Strong build (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
  • Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
  • Below average bokeh (6th percentile)6th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
  • Below average stabilization (34th percentile)

Pricing

Both products are similarly priced.

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX0.411score per dollar
vs
Pentax DA 21987 35mm0.239score per dollar

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX offers 1.7x better value for money

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Pentax DA 21987 35mm

Verdict

★ Winner: Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Scores 70 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 22 specs.

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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