Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
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
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
The Tamron 18-200mm lens is praised for its versatility and value, offering a convenient all-in-one zoom range that eliminates the need to switch lenses. While image quality is generally good, some users report issues like softness at the long end, vignetting at 18mm, and lens creep, though these can often be mitigated by sending the lens to Tamron for adjustment or using simple fixes. Focus speed is adequate for most needs but can be slow in low light or live view, and the manual focus is noisy, which is a drawback for video. Overall, it is considered a great budget-friendly option for hobbyists and entry-level photographers.
Pros
- Versatile all-in-one zoom range
- Good value for money
- Decent image quality for the price
- Lightweight and portable
- Includes tulip lens hood
Cons
- Softness at 200mm end
- Vignetting at 18mm
- Lens creep when pointed up/down
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Noisy manual focus for video
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | — | 17 |
| Groups | — | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Internal Surface coatings, multiple-layered coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/18 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.40 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | Auto Focus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm★ | 498 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:3.7★ |
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 (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Tamron Di II A14E 18-200mm
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (21st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 21 specs.