Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Review

Nikon is aiming to set a new standard for DX zooms. Find out why in our Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR review.

Nikon’s latest DX-format SLRs are highly sophisticated, as typified by the D5500 and D7200. By contrast, the company’s kit zoom lenses can seem a little basic and down-market.

For example, none of the current AF-S DX 18-55mm, 18-105mm and 18-140mm kit lenses has ring-type ultrasonic autofocus or even a focus distance scale. The new AF-S DX 16-80mm aims to improve on that.

SEE MORE: Best Nikon lenses for DX-format cameras

Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E Review: Build & handling

Billed by Nikon as “the ultimate walkabout lens for discerning photographers”, the 16-80mm f/2.8-4E (price £870/$1,070) is surprisingly compact and light at 80 x 86mm and 480g, despite being pretty much a whole f/stop faster than its kit lens cousins throughout the zoom range.

Either way, this lens is a lot smaller and lighter than Nikon’s older, constant-aperture AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G, a lens that also lacks Vibration Reducation.

The 5x zoom range is equivalent to 24-120mm on an APS-C camera, and significantly beats all of Nikon’s kit DX-format zooms for wide-angle coverage.

The zoom ring operates smoothly and precisely. The whisper-quiet ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system is fairly fast and features full-time manual override.

SEE MORE: Nikon lenses from A-Z: the ultimate photographer’s guide

Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E Review: Performance

High-quality glass includes four Extra-low Dispersion elements, and it’s the first DX-format lens to boast nano crystal coatings for reducing ghosting and flare.

It’s also the first DX lens with an electromagnetically controlled diaphragm, to maintain consistent apertures in rapid bursts of continuous shooting.

Sharpness in the frame centre is excellent across most of the zoom range, even at wide apertures, but it drops off in the 70-80mm sector.

Corner sharpness is quite unimpressive at all focal lengths, especially at wide apertures. Vignetting is quite minimal but chromatic aberrations are a little on the high side, while barrel distortion is very noticeable at 16mm.

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Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E Review: Lab Results

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Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Specifications

Full-frame compatible      Yes
Focal length      16-80mm
(24-120mm on an APS-C camera)
Image stabiliser      Vibration Reduction
Min focus distance      0.35m
Max magnification factor      0.22x
Manual focus override      Full-time
Focus limit switches      No
Internal zoom/focus      No / Yes
Filter size      72mm
Iris blades      7
Weather seals      No
Dimensions (d x l)      80 x 86mm
Weight      480g

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Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Review: Verdict

Image quality is good but not entirely great, so this Nikkor lens struggles a little to justify its somewhat high asking price.

Features: 4/5
Build & Handling: 4/5
Performance: 3.5/5
Value: 3/5

Overall: 3.5/5

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