Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 28-200mm
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 S S-R28200 28-200mm
The Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. lens is widely praised as a compact, versatile travel companion, with users loving its lightweight design, macro capability, and effective stabilization. Many reviewers highlight its convenience for all-in-one shooting, especially on trips, and note that the slow aperture is a minor trade-off for the portability. However, one verified reviewer found it disappointingly soft at the wide and telephoto ends, especially compared to a higher-end Olympus lens, which tempers the overall enthusiasm.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Versatile all-in-one zoom range
- Effective image stabilization
- Macro capability as a bonus
- Great for travel and walkaround
Cons
- Soft at wide and telephoto ends
- Slow maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Not as sharp as higher-end lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 28-200mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | — | 17 |
| Groups | — | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4-7.1 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | L-Mount |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.48 kg | 0.41 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | AF-S | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 6.5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 380 mm | 140 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.5x★ |
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 S S-R28200 28-200mm
- Strong stabilization (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong bokeh (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 0 of 9 usage categories and 1 of 22 specs.
