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

This Nikon lens features 15 elements in 11 groups, including one ED element. The main difference from the non-VR lens lies in the way the VR works, requiring a compensatory lens group to be shifted by the VR motors.

In other respects it’s a similar lens to the non-VR model, with a SWM and plastic lens mount to keep the cost down. The barrel array is different, with just one internal barrel, and the additional optics and VR have added 80g and several millimetres to the weight and size, respectively. Like its stable-mate, the SWM-driven autofocus is also quiet and smooth, and the zoom action is relatively fluid.

The alternative optical array has produced different results to the non-VR version, with lower overall resolution, though the flatter line of our perfromance graphs indicate a more consistent performance throughout the range, especially at the 55mm end. On the downside, the chromatic aberration results show a higher pixel rise, especially at 200mm. The major advantage to this lens is its VR function, which to some people may be worth the extra £70.