Nikon Nikon 20055 20055 AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E Review
The Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4E is a sharp, versatile zoom built for pros, but its high price and average bokeh mean it's not for everyone.
Overview
The Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4E is a serious zoom for Nikon shooters. It's built for pros and video work, scoring in the 90s there. But if you're all about portraits, this lens isn't your best bet.
Performance
This lens is sharp. Its optical quality sits in the 94th percentile, and the stabilization is top-notch at the 89th. It's super versatile, too. The autofocus is just okay, landing in the 47th percentile, and the bokeh is average. It's a workhorse, not a specialist.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong versatility (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong optical (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong stabilization (89th percentile) 87th
- Strong build (71th percentile) 84th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 |
| Focal Length Max | 80 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 13 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 351 |
Value & Pricing
At over a grand, this is a big investment. You're paying for that pro-level optical performance and versatility. If you need a sharp, stabilized, do-almost-everything zoom for your Nikon, the price makes sense. If you're on a budget or just shoot portraits, there are better ways to spend your money.
Price History
vs Competition
Don't confuse this with those cheap prime lenses like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. Those are about low-light and blurry backgrounds, not zoom range. This Nikon is a sharp, versatile zoom. Compared to something like the Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro, you're trading that fast aperture and great bokeh for the flexibility to go from 16mm to 80mm without changing lenses. It's a tool for a different job.
| Spec | Nikon Nikon 20055 20055 AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Sony Sony G Master Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Full-Frame Large-Aperture | Canon Canon L Canon - RF35mm F1.4 L VCM Wide-Angle Lens for EOS | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon - NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Wide-angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 16-80mm | 55mm | 35mm | 35mm | 35mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame) | Canon RF | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 456 | 281 | 522 | 544 | 400 | 676 |
| AF Type | - | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | Wide-Angle | Wide-Angle | - | Wide-Angle Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a Nikon shooter who needs one sharp, stabilized lens for everything from landscapes to events. It's a pro's zoom. Skip it if you're a portrait photographer or if you're on a tight budget. There are cheaper ways to get great photos.