Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR Autofocus APS-C Lens, Black {58}

Nikon's proven DX telephoto reaches 300mm with built-in stabilization.

On a DX-format body, this lens gives you 55-300mm of working range, which translates to roughly 82-450mm in full-frame equivalent reach. That's a lot of ground covered without swapping glass. The VR II stabilization system is rated for four stops of compensation, which matters when you're shooting at the long end and light is dropping. ED glass in the 18-element, 11-group construction keeps chromatic aberration in check at focal lengths where fringing is a real concern.

The Silent Wave Motor drives autofocus quietly and quickly enough for moving subjects, and the M/A mode lets you grab focus manually without flipping a switch. Internal focusing means the front element stays put, so a polarizer stays dialed in throughout the zoom range. Minimum focus distance sits at 1.4m with a maximum magnification of 0.28x, giving you some reach for tighter environmental shots without requiring a dedicated macro lens. The 9-blade diaphragm produces smooth, rounded out-of-focus areas at longer focal lengths.

For a DX shooter who wants serious telephoto reach without the weight or cost of faster glass, this is an option built on years of field use.

Who It's For

Wildlife photographers working from a distance will get usable reach at 300mm on a DX body without hauling a large telephoto. Sports shooters covering outdoor events in daylight can rely on the VR II system when panning at longer focal lengths. Travel photographers who want one lens that covers mid-range portrait work at 55mm through distant architecture or wildlife at 300mm will find the 5.5x zoom ratio practical. Beginning bird photographers making the jump to telephoto shooting will benefit from the Silent Wave Motor's quiet operation around skittish subjects.

Key Features

• 55-300mm focal range on DX bodies equals 82-450mm full-frame equivalent
• VR II stabilization rated for four stops of compensation
• 18-element, 11-group construction with ED glass for aberration control
• AF-S Silent Wave Motor with M/A manual focus override
• Internal focusing keeps filter thread position constant
• 9-blade diaphragm produces smooth bokeh at telephoto focal lengths
• 1.4m minimum focus distance with 0.28x maximum magnification
• 58mm filter thread on non-rotating front element

FAQ

What's the full-frame equivalent focal length on a DX body?

55-300mm on DX translates to roughly 82-450mm equivalent, giving you serious telephoto reach without a full-frame lens or teleconverter.

How much stabilization does the VR II system provide?

Four stops of compensation, which is the difference between a sharp handheld shot and motion blur at 300mm in dim light.

Can you focus manually without switching modes?

Yes, M/A mode lets you grab focus by hand on the focus ring while autofocus is enabled, no switch flipping required.

Does the front element move during zooming?

No, internal focusing keeps the front element stationary, so filters like polarizers stay dialed in across the entire zoom range.

What's the closest you can focus?

1.4m minimum focus distance with 0.28x magnification, close enough for environmental shots but not a replacement for macro work.

How fast is the autofocus?

The Silent Wave Motor is fast and quiet enough for moving subjects, though at f/5.6 at the long end you're not shooting in speed lighting situations anyway.