Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens is a midrange zoom lens manufactured by Nikon for use on Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. Often included as a kit lens on entry-level DSLRs, it also can be purchased separately from the camera body. Nikon first introduced the lens in 2005 and has provided five subsequent updates. The last two iterations have AF-P type autofocusing with a stepper motor, while all others use an SWM autofocus motor. Following are the six variants as of 2024:

Uncropped or Unedited image from Nikon D5100 using an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for reference. Taken with maximum aperture at day time without flash. Details: F-stop: F/3.5 (Max aperture), Exposure time: 1/50 sec, ISO speed: 200, Focal Length: 18 mm, Flash fired: No, White Balance: Auto, Shot at day or night: Day time

Vignetting results when this lens is used on a 35mm film camera, or on a full-frame/FX-sized digital camera.

Uncropped or Unedited image from Nikon D5100 using an AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens for reference. Taken with minimum aperture at night time with flash. Details: F-stop: F/5.6 (Min aperture), Exposure time: 1/60 sec, ISO speed: 3200, Focal Length: 55 mm, Flash fired: Yes, White Balance: Auto, Shot at day or night: Night time

**Uncropped and Edited image of a British Roasted Pork Dish**. Image Size: L (6016 x 4000), Date Shot: 8/4/2015 18:29:54.40, Time Zone and Date: UTC+5:30, Device: **Nikon D3200**, Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-**Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR**, Focal Length: 36mm, Focus Mode: AF-A, AF-Area Mode: Auto, VR: ON, Aperture: f/5, Shutter Speed: 1/60s, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Comp.: 0EV, ISO Sensitivity: ISO 400, Flash Device: Built-in Flash, Flash Sync Mode: Front Curtain, Color Space: sRGB, High ISO NR: ON (Normal), Picture Control: [SD] STANDARD, Base: [SD] STANDARD, Edited Using: Nikon ViewNX 2, Photographer and Editor: Viraj Brian Wijesuriya.

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED, released in 2005^[1]
AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II, released in 2006.^[2]
AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, released in 2007.^[3]
AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II, released in 2014.^[4]^[5]
AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G, released in 2016.
AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, released in 2016.

Note: VR means Vibration Reduction as used in Nikon Lenses. IS means Image Stabilization as used in Canon Lenses. VR (Nikon) and IS (Canon) are both the same thing, but each maker uses their own acronyms.^[6]

Like all lenses in the DX format, the 18-55mm casts a smaller image circle than lenses for full-frame 35mm cameras and is therefore only compatible with cameras having APS-C-sized sensors (or vignetting will happen). However, from 24mm onward until 55mm, the image circle will cover the full 35mm frame, and is usable on film.

Features

Silent wave motor (SWM) for the first four AF-S versions, stepper motor for the AF-P versions
Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element, to reduce chromatic aberration (available only on the two AF-S versions without VR)
Two aspherical lens elements (available only on the two AF-P versions)
Easy variant of Vibration Reduction (most recent versions only), to make lens cheaper there is no "Active" and "Normal" VR options switch here

Construction

Plastic body and mount
52mm filter thread for widely used 52mm filters (AF-P versions: 55mm)
No protector from dust and moisture near mount
Rotating front lens while focusing (not in VR II version)
VR II version has a collapsible lens barrel, a design first used with certain lenses for Nikon's 1 mount for mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras^[4]

(Lens construction details vary between models; see table below for specifications).

Performance

Thom Hogan praised its value and optical performance, but criticized its handling, noting a diminutive focus ring that rotates during focusing, with no manual override.^[7]

Specifications

Attribute	AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED	AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II	AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR	AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II	AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G	AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Autofocus	AF-S				AF-P
Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization in Canon)	No		Yes		No	Yes
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperture	f/22-32	f/22-36			f/22-38
Weight	210 g	205 g	265 g	195 g	195 g	205 g
Maximum diameter	69 mm	70.5 mm	73 mm	59.5 mm	64.5 mm	64.5 mm
Length	75 mm	74 mm	79 mm	66 mm	62.5 mm
Filter diameter	52 mm				55 mm
Picture angle	76° - 28°50'
Groups/elements	5/7		8/11		9/12
# of diaphragm blades	7
Closest focusing distance	0.28 m				0.25 m
Lens hood model	HB-33/HB-45		HB-45	HB-69	HB-N106
Release date	2005	2006	2007	2014	2016	2016
MSRP $			$200	$250