Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Nikon
89 Overall Score
vs
Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
Canon
86 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
88 out of 100 low confidence 8 reviews
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
Image quality 7
Build quality 5
Vibration reduction 5
Weight 4
Value for money 4
Focal range 4
Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Budget
Macro
Portrait
Video Cinema
Street
Travel
Landscape
Wildlife Sports
Professional
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 15 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 45 mm |
| Elements | — | 3 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Canon coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Canon EF-M |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.46 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 49 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | STM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | 3.5 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 45 mm★ |
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 EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
- Strong macro (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong stabilization (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong aperture (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
Verdict
Tie
Both products are closely matched - Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm wins 3 specs while Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM wins 3.