Verdict

The mid-priced 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5, is much more than just the ideal compromise. Not many years ago it would have been pure fancy to propose a £200 lens that featured ED glass, an aspherical element, internal focusing and instant manual intervention in AF mode yet that is precisely what Nikon offers in its 18-70mm zoom. What is probably the most important feature of any lens is the way that it feels and behaves when in use. Factors such as size and mass help when predicting these things but only physical handling can tell you the truth. The arrangement of the focusing and zoom collars on the 18-70mm lens is excellent, and this fact alone makes the lens more usable than others. Add to that its overall image quality together with a 4x zoom range, and the 18-70mm has to be a winner.