Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
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
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the Tamron 70-300mm lens for its excellent value for money, delivering sharp images and solid build quality at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Many users highlight its impressive performance for wildlife and bird photography, although some note that the autofocus can be slow in low light and there are occasional issues with chromatic aberration. While a few mention the lack of image stabilization on certain models, most find it manageable with steady hands or a tripod.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality throughout zoom range
- Solid build and sturdy construction
- Good for wildlife and bird photography
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Occasional chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing)
- No vibration reduction on some models
- Autofocus can hunt and struggle on small subjects
- Zoom ring not always smooth
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm | Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 7 | 13 |
| Groups | 5 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | — |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4.0-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony A |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weight | 0.20 kg★ | 0.77 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm★ | 950 mm |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 2.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
