AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR

Released April 2014

A 550 g Nikon DX all-in-one zoom covering 18–300 mm, with optical vibration reduction and a 67 mm filter thread.

Mount: Nikon F mount
Focal length: 18–300 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5–6.3
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 550 g

What reviewers say

Both see it as a manageable travel lens with a very broad range, but find optical compromises compared with using separate zooms. Both note weaker long-end edges, colour fringing and distortion. ePHOTOzine finds very good central sharpness at 300 mm and effective stabilisation; Digital Camera World is more critical of telephoto sharpness overall. ePHOTOzine also likes the smooth rings and zoom lock, while finding autofocus adequate rather than especially fast.

From digitalcameraworld.com and ephotozine.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 18–300 mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5–6.3
Minimum aperture: f/22–40
Optical construction: 16 elements in 12 groups
Special elements: Three ED glass elements and three aspherical elements
Aperture detail: f/3.5 maximum and f/22 minimum at 18 mm; f/6.3 maximum and f/40 minimum at 300 mm
Diaphragm: Seven rounded blades
Angle of view: DX 76°–5°20′; angle of view equivalent to 27–450 mm on FX

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Nikon F mount
Image circle: APS-C
Compatibility: Nikon F-mount G-type CPU lens designed for DX

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.48 m
Maximum magnification: 0.29×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Internal focusing with an ultrasonic motor and manual focusing available; Nikon USA identifies Silent Wave Motor
Focus distance detail: Minimum 0.48 m from the focal plane throughout the zoom range
Magnification detail: Nikon Japan specifies maximum 0.29×; Digital Camera World's table gives 0.32×. The maker figure is retained
Stabilisation detail: Four stops under CIPA conditions measured at maximum telephoto on an APS-C/DX DSLR; Normal mode, with no tripod VR

Design

Filter diameter: 67 mm
Maximum diameter: 78.5 mm
Length: 99 mm
Weight: 550 g
Controls: Focus and zoom rings; ePHOTOzine identifies a lock at 18 mm and manual focus override. Digital Camera World notes no distance scale
Zoom design: Rotating zoom ring with markings at 18, 35, 70, 105, 200 and 300 mm
Filter detail: 67 mm screw-in filters; ePHOTOzine reports a non-rotating thread during focusing
Weather resistance: Both reviews identify a rubber gasket at the metal mount; no general maker protection rating is assigned
Dimensions detail: Approximately 78.5 mm maximum diameter × 99 mm from the mount
Lens hood: Not included in Nikon UK's accessory list; Digital Camera World confirms the hood is sold separately, despite ePHOTOzine describing a supplied hood
In the box: LC-67 front cap and LF-4 rear cap according to Nikon UK
Release detail: Nikon Japan records 24 April 2014 availability; Nikon USA's original announcement specifies May 2014

Pros and cons

Pros

Wide-angle to 300 mm telephoto range
Four-stop optical VR under maker CIPA conditions
Minimum focus of 0.48 m throughout the range

Cons

f/6.3 maximum aperture at 300 mm
DX coverage rather than full-frame coverage
Only Normal VR mode

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
NikonAF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR	Nikon F mount	18–140 mm	f/3.5–5.6	Yes	490 g	Aug 2013
NikonAF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR	Nikon F mount	24–120 mm	f/4	Yes	710 g	Sept 2010
SonyE 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE	Sony E	18–200 mm	f/3.5–6.3	Yes	460 g	Jun 2012

Sources

Photo: Nikon UK lens photograph

AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR lens in side profile: nikon.co.uk/globalassets/digizuite/147378-en-afs_dx_18_300_3.5_6.3g_b-v40ECED68…

Spot a mistake? Tell us