Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
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
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
The Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens is widely praised for its sharpness, minimal distortion, and lightweight build, making it a favorite for real estate, architecture, and astrophotography. Users appreciate the manual focus and solid construction, though some note the lack of electronic contacts (no EXIF data) and occasional soft corners. Overall, it delivers excellent value for its price, especially for specialized wide-angle work.
Pros
- Sharp images
- Minimal distortion (Zero-D)
- Lightweight and compact
- Solid build quality
- Excellent for real estate and architecture
Cons
- No electronic contacts (no EXIF data)
- Manual focus only
- Occasional soft corners
- Lens flare could be cleaner
- No weather sealing
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm | Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 12 mm |
| Elements | 7 | 16 |
| Groups | 5 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Frog Eye Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.20 kg★ | 0.61 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm★ | 180 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:5★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D 12mm
- Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong macro (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 11.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
