Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Nikon
70 Overall Score
vs
Pentax DA 21790 55mm

Pentax DA 21790 55mm

Pentax
41 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

85 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews

This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent value for money
  • Vivid color reproduction
  • Quiet autofocus
Cons
  • Plastic build feels fragile
  • Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
  • No image stabilization
  • Loose tolerances can affect focus
👍 Image quality 6
🤔 Build quality 4
👍 Value for money 5
👍 Weight and portability 4
👍 Autofocus performance 3
👎 Image stabilization 2

Pentax DA 21790 55mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 8 reviews

The Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent performance in low light and portraits. Users praise its clarity and value, though some note it may have focusing issues on older Pentax DSLR bodies. Overall, it is considered a superb lens that delivers professional-quality results.

Pros
  • Razor sharp image quality
  • Beautiful smooth bokeh
  • Excellent low-light performance
  • Great for portraits and events
  • Weather-sealed for outdoor use
Cons
  • Potential focusing issues on older Pentax bodies
  • Slightly large size
  • Not as sharp as Carl Zeiss lenses
👍 Image quality 5
👍 Bokeh 2
👍 Low light performance 2
👍 Portrait photography 4
👍 Build quality 2
👍 Value for money 3

Scores

Macro
Nikon
75
Pentax
36
Travel
Nikon
73
Pentax
39
Budget
Nikon
62
Pentax
34
Street
Nikon
62
Pentax
40
Landscape
Nikon
61
Pentax
40
Wildlife Sports
Nikon
58
Pentax
39
Video Cinema
Nikon
54
Pentax
40
Professional
Nikon
50
Pentax
46
Portrait
Nikon
40
Pentax
34

Specifications

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DXPentax DA 21790 55mm
Optics
Typezoomprime
Focal Length Min18 mm55 mm
Focal Length Max55 mm55 mm
Elements79
Groups58
Aspherical Elements2★0
ED Elements11
CoatingSuper Integrated CoatingAero Bright coating, Super Protect (SP) coating
Aperture
Max Aperture22-38★f/22
Min Aperture3.5-5.6f/1.4
Constant✗✓★
Diaphragm Blades79★
Build
MountNikon FPentax K
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed—✓★
Weight0.20 kg★0.38 kg
Filter Thread55 mm58 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypePulse Stepping Motor★SDM
Stabilization✓★✗
Stabilization Stops4 stops★—
Focus
Min Focus Distance55 mm★450 mm
Max Magnification—0.3x★

Pros & Cons

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

  • Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
  • Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)

Pentax DA 21790 55mm

  • Strong build (79th percentile)
  • Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
  • Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
  • Below average stabilization (34th percentile)

Pricing

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX is €355 cheaper (3.3x less).

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX0.454score per dollar
vs
Pentax DA 21790 55mm0.080score per dollar

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX offers 5.7x better value for money

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Pentax DA 21790 55mm

Verdict

★ Winner: Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX

Scores 70 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.

Nikon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 G VR AF-P DX Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Also Consider