Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor: Lens Test

This digital-only, 5.3X, wide-to-medium-tele, general-purpose zoom ($600, street) is an attractive upgrade for Nikon shooters underserved by their entry-level 18-55mm kit lens. No longer a beginner? It offers Vibration Reduction, plus extra reach in both directions, scaling up to 24-127.5mm on most Nikon DSLR bodies. Two extra-low dispersion glass elements rein in the image-softening effect of chromatic aberration (a.k.a. color fringing), and three aspheric elements help tackle linear distortion.

HANDS ON:
Slightly bulky for an amateur's general-purpose lens, this zoom is more than an inch longer and 4 ounces heavier than Canon's comparable 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS digital-only zoom ($515, street). At close-focus, the lens (without hood) throws a shadow at all focal lengths when used with a built-in flash. (As subject distances grow, the shadow gradually disappears, first at the long end of the zoom range.)

With a slightly stiff zoom action but well-damped manual focusing, the lens offers fast, accurate, and -- thanks to Nikon's Silent Wave Motor -- extremely quiet autofocus. All switches and collars are adequately sized and marked, and the lens feels solidly constructed, almost pro-quality.

Julia Silber

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