Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR review Cameralabs distortion results

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR results : Outdoor / Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

Support this site by shopping below

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR wide-angle geometry comparison

To measure and compare wide angle geometric distortion, we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern with each lens set to its shortest focal length and an aperture of f8. The images were then analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

With the Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR zoomed-out to 18mm, barrel distortion was measured at 3.43% which is essentially the same as its predecessor. Both lenses exhibit noticeably less barrel distortion than the DX 18-70mm and DX 18-135mm when they're all zoomed-out.

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR f/3.5-5.6	Nikkor DX 18-55mm II f/3.5-5.6	Nikkor DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5	Nikkor DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

DX 18-55mm VR at 18mm f8 Distortion: 3.43% barrel	DX 18-55mm II at 18mm f8 Distortion: 3.73% barrel	DX 18-70mm at 18mm f8 Distortion: 5.02% barrel	DX 18-135mm at 18mm f8 Distortion: 5.48% barrel

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR telephoto geometry comparison

To measure and compare telephoto geometric distortion, we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern with each lens set to its longest focal length and an aperture of f8. The images were then analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

With the Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR zoomed-into 55mm, pincushion distortion was measured at 0.17% which is barely noticeable. Its predecessor also had virtually no distortion when zoomed-in, although interestingly what little it had was in the opposite, barrel direction. In contrast, the DX 18-135mm suffers from quite noticeable pincushion distortion when zoomed-in.

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR f/3.5-5.6	Nikkor DX 18-55mm II f/3.5-5.6	Nikkor DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5	Nikkor DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

DX 18-55mm VR at 55mm f8 Distortion: 0.17% pincushion	DX 18-55mm II at 55mm f8 Distortion: 0.21% barrel	DX 18-70mm at 70mm f8 Distortion: 0.59% pincushion	DX 18-135mm at 135mm f8 Distortion: 1.78% pincushion

Nikkor DX 18-55mm VR results continued...

Outdoor / Resolution / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

All words, images, videos and layout, copyright 2005-2013 Gordon Laing. May not be used without permission.

About Gordon Laing / How we test / Best Cameras / Advertising / Camera reviews / Supporting Camera Labs