Nikkor DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR shortest focal length geometry comparison
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DX 55-200mm VR at 55mm f8
Distortion: 0.20% barrel |
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To measure and compare the Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR's
geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern,
using it and a number of rival lenses.
The lenses were tested at
their widest focal lengths with an aperture of f8 in
Aperture Priority mode.
The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th
Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.
The image left was taken with the Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR at 55mm f8. Barrel distortion was measured at 0.2% which is barely noticeable, and in fact fractionally superior to the 70-300mm VR at 70mm. Note the DX 18-135mm and DX 18-200mm VR show greater distortion when zoomed-out due to their much wider focal lengths. Their results are included here as an overall view. The comparisons below when all four lenses are zoomed-in is more relevant. |
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Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
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Nikkor DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
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Nikkor DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR |
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70-300mm at 70mm f8
Distortion: 0.31% barrel |
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DX 18-135mm at 18mm f8
Distortion: 5.48% barrel |
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DX 18-200mm at 18mm f8
Distortion: 5.26% barrel |
Nikkor DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR longest focal length geometry comparison
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DX 55-200mm VR at 200mm f8
Distortion: 1.27% pincushion |
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To measure and compare the Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR's
geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern,
using it and a number of rival lenses.
The lenses were tested at
their longest focal lengths with an aperture of f8 in
Aperture Priority mode.
The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th
Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. |
| The image above was taken with the Nikkor DX 55-200mm VR at 200mm f8. Pincushion distortion was measured at 1.27% which is roughly the same as the DX 18-200mm VR when it's also zoomed-into 200mm. The DX 18-135mm exhibits greater distortion when zoomed-in, even to just 135mm, but the 70-300mm VR delivers the best result here with the least distortion, even at its longer focal length of 300mm. Now let's finally compare the vignetting and light fall-off of each lens. |
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
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Nikkor DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
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Nikkor DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR |
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70-300mm at 300mm f8
Distortion: 0.72% pincushion |
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DX 18-135mm at 135mm f8
Distortion: 1.78% pincushion |
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DX 18-200mm at 200mm f8
Distortion: 1.22% pincushion |
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