Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Canon RF EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM 28mm
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
Canon RF EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM 28mm
The Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, color reproduction, and value for money, especially on a budget. Users praise its compact size, metal mount, and low-light performance, though some note the autofocus is noisy and slow compared to USM lenses. A few isolated complaints mention build quality feeling plasticky or the lens not working at all, but the majority find it a reliable workhorse for both crop sensor and full-frame cameras.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and color
- Compact and lightweight design
- Metal mount for durability
- Great low-light performance
- Good value for budget buyers
Cons
- Noisy autofocus
- Slow autofocus compared to USM
- Plasticky build quality
- Lacks image stabilization
- Large manual focus ring angle
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Canon RF EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM 28mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 28 mm |
| Elements | — | 11 |
| Groups | — | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Canon Super Spectra Coating (SSC) |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | 5 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Canon EF-M |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.12 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 94 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1.2x★ |
Pros & Cons
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 (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
Canon RF EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM 28mm
- Strong build (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong macro (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong aperture (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Canon RF EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM 28mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
