Nikon 2161
The 105-450mm equivalent reach and pulse stepping motor deliver fast, silent autofocus ideal for distant subjects. Its compact build and 3-stop VR stabilization make handheld shooting practical despite the variable f/4.5-6.3 aperture. This lens is best for DX-format Nikon shooters needing an affordable, lightweight telephoto for portraits and daylight sports.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Sharp, light, and cheap, but only if your camera actually talks to it. Check compatibility before you buy, or you'll own a very pretty paperweight.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ridiculously sharp for a kit lens, especially close up 94th
- Silent AF-P autofocus is a dream for video work 93rd
- Weighs almost nothing at 205g 86th
- VR stabilization is genuinely excellent 83rd
Cons
- Compatibility roulette with older Nikon bodies
- Some units ship with autofocus that just doesn't work
- No manual focus switch on the lens itself
- Zoom noise gets picked up by the internal mic
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 25 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The sharpness here is genuinely surprising for a budget zoom. Our macro score puts it in the 94th percentile, which means close-up shots look way better than they have any right to at this price. The VR stabilization is also a standout, rated among the best we've seen, so handheld shots at 55mm stay crisp. But the autofocus story is messy. Some units nail it with fast, silent AF that's perfect for video. Others arrive dead on arrival, refusing to focus at all. That inconsistency is the real performance story.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 |
| Focal Length Max | 55 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 52 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 83 |
vs Competition
Against the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS, the Nikon holds its own on sharpness but loses on size and power zoom convenience. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM gives you way more reach if you want a single walkaround lens, but it's bigger and pricier. And if you're serious about low light, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN absolutely destroys this lens on aperture, though you give up the zoom. For pure budget sharpness, the Nikon is hard to beat. For flexibility, the Canon wins.
| Spec | Nikon 2161 | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Sony E SEL18135 | 7Artisans Lite Series AutoFocus 35mm F1.8 Full Frame | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-55mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 18-135mm | 35mm | 28-200mm |
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | L-Mount |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 745 | 290 | 544 | 326 | 426 | 413 |
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor | stepping motor | RXD | Linear motor | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon 2161 | 85.5 | 78.5 | 38 | 94.4 | 54.6 | 80.2 | 15.9 | 82.7 | 66.8 | 92.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.5 | 84.4 | 85.4 | 91.6 | 81.2 | 86.3 | 80.5 | 78.5 | 89.9 | 36.1 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.9 | 89 | 67.5 | 85.6 | 90.3 | 86.3 | 63.7 | 89.6 | 85.5 | 81.3 |
| Sony E SEL18135 Compare | 97.7 | 78.5 | 71.7 | 39.3 | 77.6 | 80.2 | 45 | 95.9 | 89.9 | 81.3 |
| 7Artisans Lite Series AutoFocus 35mm F1.8 Full Frame Compare | 85.5 | 96.5 | 60.3 | 97.2 | 62 | 94.3 | 90.9 | 33.5 | 45.2 | 81.3 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare | 53.9 | 80.9 | 76.9 | 74.6 | 91.3 | 69.5 | 22.3 | 95.6 | 75 | 99.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the place. In the US you'll see it anywhere from USD 114 to USD 248, and in Europe the spread is even wilder at EUR 175 to EUR 664. The best US deal we found is on Newegg, and honestly, anything under USD 150 for this lens is a steal if your camera plays nice with it. Pay more than that and you're getting hosed, especially when the compatibility risk is baked in.
Amazon 1 offer From MX$22,929
Price History
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Overview
This is the kit lens that actually earns its spot in your bag. The Nikon AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR is sharp, tiny, and has autofocus so quiet you'll forget it's working. But there's a catch, and it's a big one: this lens will straight-up refuse to autofocus on a bunch of older Nikon bodies unless you jump through firmware hoops. If your camera is on the naughty list, you're buying a very nice paperweight.
Common Questions
Q: Will this lens work on my Nikon D3300?
Maybe. The D3300 needs a firmware update to work with AF-P lenses. If you haven't updated, autofocus won't work at all. Check Nikon's site, update your camera, and you should be fine. If you can't update, skip this lens.
Q: Is this lens good for video?
Yes, if you get a working unit. The AF-P motor is nearly silent, which is huge for video. But the zoom action can be picked up by the internal mic, so use an external mic if you're zooming while recording.
Q: Does this lens have image stabilization?
Yes, it has VR rated for about 4 stops. It's genuinely one of the best stabilization systems we've tested in a budget zoom, so handheld shots at slower shutter speeds are very doable.
Who Should Skip This
If you're shooting on an older Nikon body like a D5000 or D3300 without a firmware update, this lens is not for you. The autofocus simply won't work, and no amount of sharpness fixes that. Go grab a used AF-S 18-55mm VR instead, it'll actually focus on your camera. And if you need real reach for wildlife or sports, this lens scores a mediocre 61.7 in that category, so look at the Canon EF-S 18-135mm or a dedicated telephoto.
Verdict
If your Nikon body is on the compatibility list and you can grab this for under USD 150, buy it without hesitation. It's the best cheap zoom Nikon has made for DX cameras. But if you're rocking an older D3300 or D5000 without a firmware update, or you just don't want to gamble on autofocus lottery, skip it and look at the Canon EF-S 18-135mm instead.
