Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

This Nikon non-VR optic incorporates a pair of Extra Low Dispersion (ED) elements within its optical array of 12 elements in 9 groups.

Performance
The DX moniker denotes this model to be a digitally dedicated lens to match Nikon’s DX (APS-C) format sensor. The lens features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) which appears fast and quiet.

The build quality is a typical example of Nikon lens design; it’s small and feels rugged, with a satisfying weight though it lacks a metal lens mount, utilising plastic instead.

The barrel consists of three inner barrels and is surrounded by a comfortable rubber zoom grip, also joined by a grooved manual focus ring.

Overall sharpness is very good. The Nikon beats the other lenses in this category, especially at the wider apertures with peak performance occurring at f/5.6-8. Similarly, chromatic aberration is, on average, the best controlled in this category. Wider apertures show good control from centre to edge at 55mm, with the smaller apertures controlling it very well at 200mm.