Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
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
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
The Panasonic Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4 is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build quality. Users highlight its versatility for wildlife and landscape photography, with excellent image stabilization and smooth zoom/focus rings. A few note the weight and that the 100-400mm equivalent is not exact, but overall it is considered a top-tier lens.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Solid build quality
- Excellent image stabilization
- Smooth zoom and focus rings
Cons
- Heavy for some users
- 100-400mm equivalent not exact
- Zoom ring direction opposite to Olympus
- Minor sharpness loss with 2x teleconverter
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | — | 21 |
| Groups | — | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 2.8-4.0 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg★ | 0.73 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm★ | 750 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.25x★ |
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
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average macro (30th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.