The Nikkor AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED was announced in November 2005 as an all-round 11.1x zoom lens, ideal for a wide variety of situations from landscape to wildlife photography. As a DX-format lens, it’s exclusively designed for use with Nikon-mount digital SLRs, which includes the D50, D70s, D200, D2Hs and D2X. Camera Labs highly recommended this lens and its conclusion is :

“First things first: by delivering a focal range equivalent to 27-300mm, all three of the zooms on test are extremely flexible lenses. Their massive 11.1x zoom range allow you to capture both wide landscape shots and decent close-ups of distant subjects such as wildlife without worrying about carrying additional lenses.

Unsurprisingly a lens with this kind of focal range is rarely going to perform as well as one with a shorter range, but we were impressed overall by the results possible. Certainly unless you’re into extreme wide or telephoto work, or demand the ultimate quality, you could really be very happy with one of these lenses. Indeed many photographers could happily fit one and never take it off again - and that’s not only highly convenient but also greatly reduces the potential for dust to enter the camera body.

The big question then is whether Nikon’s 18-200mm is worth twice the price of its rivals from Sigma and Tamron. In terms of optical quality, the Nikkor certainly edged ahead of its competition, particularly in our outdoor real-life and corner sharpness tests. The build quality is also of a much higher standard and the focusing quicker and noticeably quieter. The focal ratio at the telephoto end is also slightly faster.

These are all worthy differences, but not enough to justify the higher price alone. Crucially though the Nikkor lens additionally sports the ability to counteract camera-shake. Its VR II technology proved highly effective in our tests and is equally useful for stabilising the longest focal lengths as it is for shooting under failing light without having to resort to higher sensitivities.

We’d say the inclusion of VR along with the other benefits makes the Nikkor worth the extra, although anyone on a tighter budget can’t fail to be impressed by the sheer value of the Sigma and Tamron models. If you can afford the extra though, go for the Nikkor - it delivers great quality and features, and therefore comes Highly Recommended to any Nikon D-SLR owner who only wants to carry a single lens for all occasions.”

Website : Nikkor AF-S DX VR 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED reviewed at Camera Labs