Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR review

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is a neat and travel-friendly superzoom for Nikon DSLR cameras

Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR
(Image: © Nikon)

Digital Camera World Verdict

A joy of any interchangeable lens camera is that you can fit the right kind of optic for the task at hand. It’s great news, most of the time, but nobody wants to lug around a big bag of lenses when they’re trying to travel light. This DX (APS-C) format lens for Nikon DSLRs is pretty compact and lightweight yet gives enormous versatility for wide-ranging shooting scenarios, with a mighty 27-450mm ‘effective’ zoom range in full-frame terms. It’s competitively priced and delivers good image quality for a superzoom.

Pros

  • +

    Mighty zoom range

  • +

    Good image quality and performance

  • +

    Fairly compact and lightweight

Cons

  • -

    No focus distance scale

  • -

    No ‘Active’ or ‘Sport’ VR mode

  • -

    Hood sold separately

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is the latest in a trio of Nikon DX format superzooms. The first was the AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, followed up with an almost identical Mark II edition, and then there was the AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This one is a third of an f/stop slower than the previous two at the long end of the zoom range but gives greater telephoto power than the former and is more compact than the latter, making it the more appealing travel lens.

Specifications

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.