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.

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.