Highly portable, powerful zoom lens with high-quality optics designed for use with Nikon DX Format digital SLRs. With a 5.3X zoom and 16-85mm focal range, this lens delivers superb versatility for a wide variety of shooting situations. Equipped with Nikon’s second-generation Vibration Reduction (VRII) system and exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM), it offers superb performance in low-light, delivering steady images to both the sensor and viewfinder, and features fast, quiet autofocus. An ideal all-round lens for today’s high-Resolution SLRs.
Powerful 5.3x zoom with wide 16-85mm focal range (35mm equivalent: 24 to 127.5mm), perfect for everything from portraits to interiors, architecture and landscapes.
Second-generation Vibration Reduction (VR II) stabilization system enables more flexible hand-held shooting and lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 times slower.
Exceptionally high optical performance: designed specifically for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR sensors.
Editor review : Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is in almost direct competition with its bigger brother the 18-200mm VR though obviously slightly shorted and has yet to gain the popularity of the 18-200mm VR. Though the 16-85mm appears to display much less distortion then the 18-200mm VR. This could be a good option if the 18-200mm VR has justto much distortion for you needs
The build quality is good as you would expect from Nikon, the zoom ring has a nice feel to it and does not slip or feel clunky .
Sharpness is also good for this lens and in the same ball park as the 18-200mm VR. I was slightly surprised at this as I though the 16-85mm was going to be better.
The 16-85mm is a good all round lens for the price and if you feel the 18-200mm VR is a Bit over the top for your work then this will fill its boot adequately.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Sharp, good zoom, build quality Cons: Slight distortion, but only slight.
Last updated: Wednesday, 27 February 2008
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 53 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.5
Build Quality
4.5
AF Speed
4.5
Value for Money
4.5
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nikon 16-85 mm lens., Friday, 03 July 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.5
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras Outstanding. Should be kit lens for most if not all Nikon DSRL cameras
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Superb lens! Worth the money, Thursday, 18 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is currently my primary walkaround zoom lens with my Nikon D40. The lens optics are very sharp and the pictures I have gotten out of it are definitely outstanding. They do seem much superior to pictures I took with my previous lens, the 18-55mm kit lens. The lens itself is also solidly built, definitely not as cheap at the 18-55 or the 18-105 which I have also tried. I chose this lens primarily for the extra two mm in wide-angle power as many of my shots are wide-angle as opposed to telephoto zoom shots. However, if you make more telephoto shots than wide-angle then I would suggest getting the 18-200mm lens instead.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Best walkaround Nikon lens for me, Friday, 29 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I bought this to supplement/replace an 18-200 VR Nikon lens that I have used very extensively, but have often wanted a sharper, more contrasty walkaround lens. I use them primarily on a D300. I shoot around 30,000 images a year at this point.
The 16-85 is sharper than the 18-200. 16mm is significantly wider angle than 18mm, and I have found the extra wide angle more important than the zoom range I lost in going from the 18-200. The 16-85 is also significantly smaller and lighter than the 18-200, and the lens extension is much tighter, as well there is no zoom creep. My 18-200 creeps to full zoom if you point it down even 45 degrees. I don't think the 16-85 will develop that trait. There is significantly less image distortion at the wide end with the 16-85. BTW, my 18-200 is an early one, made in Japan, so likely a better than average sample. I believe all 16-85 lenses are made in Taiwan.
The one downside is simply that it's a slow lens. But, no slower than the 18-200. The VR on my sample is not really any better than that of the 18-200, but it's not worse either. I can get sharp images down to 1/8 to 1/15, depending on the zoom, with probably a 50% hit rate to be acceptably sharp. When shooting that slow, I just take 2 or 3 images at a time and one of them is usually sharp. Combined with the high ISO capability of the D300, I can live with the speed of this lens for my shooting. I do use the D300 battery grip, so have a bit of weight which helps with steadiness, too. I find the ability to shoot landscape or portrait with the grip far outweighs it's bulk. I never take it off the camera when handholding.
I do notice at the wide end when handheld with VR the images have an edgy character when zoomed to 100% that I take to be a characteristic added by VR. It could also be that it's approaching the resolution limit of the sensor and I'm expecting more from each pixel than can be provided at 16mm by a D300 12 MP sensor. I never noticed this with the 18-200. Neither do I notice it on my 12-24 at that focal length. I don't see it zoomed to anything less than 100%, and I'm far more pleased with having the 16mm shots than I'm bothered by this characteristic.
I was hoping for absolute sharpness, in the same vein as my 70-200 VR, and this lens is close, but not quite as sharp. But it's noticeably sharper than the 18-200, most especially at 85mm, and when looking past the center of the frame. At f8 and above, the center of the images between the 16-85 and 18-200 are fully the same sharpness. Past 85mm, the 18-200 becomes less useful due to loss of contrast and sharpness, again making the loss of that zoom range less bothersome.
I also considered the Sigma 17-70, but with no VR, that lens while faster would be much more limited. It's much cheaper, though, and has a pseudo-macro capability, and most are reportedly sharp, so you might consider that lens also. I shoot a lot of low light scenes, mostly street scenes at night. I don't mind some blurred people - it simply lends life to the image. I can easily handhold street scenes at night of lit storefronts etc with sharp images of static objects - all I can ask for.
My alternative was the 24-70. I know I would have been happier with that lens on an absolute basis, in terms of sharpness, build quality, and overall image quality. But the size and lack of VR of the 24-70 would limit my satisfaction and given the zoom range, it would be a much more limited lens. I have achieved close to the level of sharpness, with less weight and cost. Overall, this lens will add more to my photography than the 24-70, and for less than half the cost. When I get a D700, I will also add the 24-70, but not before.
I own other lenses with good to very good Bokeh. The 50 1.8, 70-200 2.8 VR, and Tamron 90 2.8 that I have all have very good Bokeh. Neither the 18-200 or 16-85 do. Just to say, it's very helpful to have at least one lens with very good background Blur characteristics in your kit for portraits or closeups. The 16-85 is not that lens at most focal lengths.
In short, I'm happy with the purchase, and would purchase again. I will rarely use the 18-200 now that I've purchased this lens.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
awesome, Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
used with a nikon d200. does exactly what it claims.
Great lens.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Perfect Family Vacation Lens, Thursday, 07 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
This is the perfect lens for family vacation photography. After reading the positive reviews, I purchased the Nikkor 16-85mm and rushed the shipment to ensure it was available for my just-completed family vacation to Southwest Colorado and Monument Valley, Utah.
Mounted on a Nikon D-80, the product was the perfect tool for family photography, allowing close imaging with spectacular backdrops. I also carried a Nikkor AF-S 18-200, but found no reason to switch from the 16-85 to the 18-200.
I wish to thank those who took the time to provide reviews on this product. Your advice and candid comments were very helpful.
An excellent lens!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX, Thursday, 07 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I own this lens currently and used to own the 18-200mm VRas well. I found the the 16-85mm to be consistently sharper than the 18-200mm at all focal lengths. I also discovered that most of my shots(80-90%) were less than 85mm.
I sold the 18-200mm and have no regrets.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I own it Where did you buy this item?: J&R Online Price paid: 1 When did you buy this item?: 06/2008
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Sharp, well built Cons: not constant aperture
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
GREAT LENS! Very chrisp images and bright colors o, Thursday, 30 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I bought this lens for my D300. From the very first image I could tell this is was an excellent purchase. The images are very sharp and the colors are vibrant. The extra 2mm make a big difference especially in the DX format. I shoot a wide variety of subjects and light levels. This lens performs well in low light, night shooting, action, landscapes and sports. I shoot mostly manually however when I use the auto features they perform very well. The autofocus is almost immediate and rarely fooled, even at very low light. I have other lens however this has become the one that stay on the camera by far the most. The only cons I have seen is there is a slight vignette effect at the 16mm setting. But I compensate for that in post processing, however I still wouldn't shy away from this lens because of that. I would not hesitate in recommending this lens to anyone especially for the price.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Excellent!!, Sunday, 19 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I won't spend a ton of time on this review as others have very succinctly detailed this lens, however a couple points. I was initially considering the 18-200 for my purchase as a replacement for my kit 18-65 and for an everyday walkaround lens. In the end, I ended up deciding on this as the concerns of softness, etc scared me off. That being said, I am very, very happy with my purchase. I got the lens about 2 mths ago and have made about 1000 shots with it. It is all that I could have asked for - very sharp, great color, easy to live with. For others looking at the 18-200 I would encourage you to look back at old photos and see how many of them are actually >85mm. For me, it was an exceedingly small #. Additionally the extra 2mm on the wide side seems to be a small but noticeable difference. Of course, it would be nice if it went to f2.4 or something of the like, but that's not realistic in this price range. I highly recommend this lens, good luck on you purchase decisions
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great lens, Thursday, 16 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I use a D80 and had previously used an 18-105. I also use a 50 1.8, a Tamron 90 2.8 macro, and a Nikon 80-200 2.8 zoom. The 18-105 kind of put me off the cheaper Nikon zooms, but after reading reviews I purchased the 16-85, and I'm glad I did. As a newer lens, it has all the new optical technology, and the VR is an outstanding feature - it really works! The lens is nearly as sharp as the two primes, build quality is good, and VR works as advertised. For what it costs, the 16-85 is a great lens, and it stays on my camera now about 85% of the time. Highly recommended.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
f/5.6 at 85mm? No thanks., Wednesday, 01 April 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
VR or not 5.6 at 85mm is not my thing. It is just a kit lens with a nicer range. VR only does so much at certain times anyways.
The Nikkor is built well and focuses very fast. The seal on the mount is a nice addition. The VR is extremely quiet vs. the Sigma 18-200 with OS that sounds like a rabid squirrel. It is compact, and the extension at 85mm is very short. The images are relatively sharp as well.
On the down side, I compared this to the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 and the colors on the sigma were a lot more exciting. It hits f/4.5 at 35mm. Focusing distance is not that great and bokeh is a little boring.
I still think it deserves 4 stars though. If you want a well built compact kit lens with a little extra range and VR then this is the lens for you.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Great all around lens and good for its price, Friday, 20 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
As Thom Hogan said: Finally, something that doesn't start with 18... I totally agree with him. I am actually sick of 18mm as minimal focal lens for most of the normal zooms. I love the 16mm of this lens. This piece of glass is solid, built with high quality plastic and has great optics. It fits in my smallest Lowepro shoulder bag that I bought for my D40 and its kit lens. This lens is not slow (but not that fast) and with a metal mount. I bought for it a B&W UV filter and it stays all the time attached to it, days and nights. I first used it (in the fields) when I went to the Amazon of Colombia. It let me take stunning pictures of the jungle.
The things I love in the 16-85mm VR (alone or compared to the 18-200mm VR): 1. The smaller size of the 16-85mm over the 18-200mm. 2. The 16mm of 16-85mm over the 18mm of 18-200mm as minimum focal length. 3. Less distortion than the 18-200mm. 4. Slightly better optics than the 18-200mm. 5. The VR is absolutely amazing. Better than the VR or any other lens of a similar focal length range.
This lens will definitely never disappoint anybody who buys it. Well done Nikon.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Nice amatuer lens, but...., Sunday, 15 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I've had my copy of this lens a year. I bought it along with a D300, and frankly, I've been disappointed. At the same time I bought my girlfriend the much discussed 18-200 lens, and having tried it from time to time, found it to be much, much sharper than the 16-85. It isn't supposed to be, but it is, hands down. Too bad. The D300 (and D90) on which I've used both lenses, are notoriously soft. I'd recommend setting both cameras to their maximum sharpening levels and perhaps downgrading a single setting from there only if you're using $5000+ lenses. That being said, if you know how to use Photoshop, you can achieve amazing results with either lens. Just don't expect world class results straight out of camera.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Excellent replacement for the 18-200mm VR, Sunday, 15 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I carried an 18-200VR for a year and half and, though I loved it, I was often dissappointed by what I perceived as a kind of softness. Reading reviews of this lens led me to try it as a substitute. I have yet to be disappointed. I perceive an almost twofold increase in overall image sharpness, often able to make out the individual hairs in pictures of my baby where the 18-200 would "muddy" them on occassion. The additional 16-18mm on the wide end comes in handy as well.
The lens itself is a bit smaller than the 18-200 and feels "better" on my D300, putting the center of gravity closer to the body (a personal preference, to be sure) and being a bit more compact. It is quite responsive, perhaps more so than the 18-200 because it has a shorter range to cover. It is also not subject to the lens creep that plagued the 18-200.
Though I bought the 18-200 well before the 16-85 was released, if I was doing it "today," I'd skip the 18-200 altogether and grab the 16-85 and save the difference for the 70-300mm. I'm not knocking the 18-200 which is the ultimate "walk around" lens (I can't even begin to count the number of times I took a shot at 18mm and then zoomed in 200mm the next minute), the loss of image quality wound up being the deal killer for me. Though I've sacrificed the 85-200 range with this lens, the added sharpness more than makes up for it and the 16-18 range means I change to my wide-angle a bit less frequently.
All-in-all, I feel like this lens may have been the best value in a "workhouse" lens for my purposes.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Handy little lens, Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
5.0
I am very lucky I bought this lens. My 18 - 55 failed on me(finally a reason to get rid of that kit lens) and I was in a hurry to get something for landscape and family photo's. I had just blown my budget on a 300 f4 (love it) so I looked and picked this one quickly. I really am a fan of prime lens but have wanted to finally try a VR and with the 16 to 85 it seemed like a jack of all trades to me. I wanted to get a few faster lens but decided to give this one a go. It was a great idea. I have been shooting sunrise's, sunsets, closeups and more. I have been able to shot close to the ground low light shots by knelling down, setting the aperture and just holding without a tripod and getting super sharp results. The color is great, the weight is easily managed and the lens performed flawlessly. Up to now my 105 mm and 300mm have been my favorites but the flexibility this lens gives me has quickly moved it to the top of my list. I can not tell you how happy I am with it's clarity and range. Of course I wish it was faster but short of the 50mm 1.4 none are fast enough for me. :) Thanks Nikon! PS using a D80 with it, love that camera.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Slight distortion at the wide, and pin cushion at , Friday, 06 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is very well constructed, and is a great ideal range. I honestly don't think anyone would be upset with this purchase.
I would add though that it doesn't match to the 18-70mm f3.5, that Nikon packed with the D70 back in the day.
I guess this modern version is the replacement, but I've compared both at great detail. And well for the money, I'd save your bucks and buy the older lens....sure no IS and not as wide or tele...but you gotta zoom in anyhow due to distortion at the wide.
