Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Viltrox Air AF 20mm F2.8 Air Z 20mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
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
Viltrox Air AF 20mm F2.8 Air Z 20mm
The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its exceptional image quality, solid build, and great value. Users praise its sharpness, bokeh, and low-light performance, though a few report autofocus glitches or defects. Overall, it is seen as a fantastic alternative to more expensive Nikon lenses.
Pros
- Exceptional image quality
- Solid build quality
- Great value for money
- Fast and responsive autofocus
- Beautiful bokeh and subject isolation
Cons
- Occasional autofocus tracking drops
- Defective unit reported (FEE error)
- Fixed aperture limitation
- Not as sharp as Nikkor 50mm 1.8 S
- Soft and slow focus for astrophotography
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Viltrox Air AF 20mm F2.8 Air Z 20mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 20 mm |
| Elements | — | 10 |
| Groups | — | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | high-definition nano multi-layer coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.16 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 52 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | STM + Lead screw★ |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 190 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.17x★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Viltrox Air AF 20mm F2.8 Air Z 20mm
- Strong build (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (70th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (30th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Viltrox Air AF 20mm F2.8 Air Z 20mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
