7 Best Nikon Super Zoom Lenses in 2024

By Tati Taylor 23 days ago, Cameras & Lenses

The best Nikon super zoom lenses on the market.

best nikon super zoom lenses

Superzoom lenses have a powerful zoom that delivers a clear picture even at long distances. Featuring a great power and versatility, superzooms allow you to take photos of a range of subjects with a single lens.

Moreover, your shooting experience is likely to get better, as you won’t need to change lenses every time you want to shoot a different object or take pictures in different conditions. If you don’t change the lens frequently, less dust and dirt will reach the sensor of your camera.

Top 7 Best Nikon Super Zoom Lenses

  1. Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G - Our Choice
  2. Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 - Solid build
  3. Nikon 300MM f/4E - For professionals
  4. Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 - Portable
  5. Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G - Great sharpness
  6. Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 - Waterproof
  7. Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 - Budget

Although, the market is loaded with a great variety of lenses, there are two main types of a super zoom lens. The first type is developed for APS-C cameras, and the second type is meant for Full Frame optical devices.

Nikon named these two types as 'DX' and 'FX' lenses respectively. In this review, you will find the descriptions of both lens types.

1. Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G

Our Choice
nikon super zoom lens nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3g

Mount: FE | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good| Min focus distance: 0.48 m | Max magnification: 0.32x | Filter thread: 67 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 300 mm | Weight: 1.21 lbs

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⊕ Powerful 16.7x zoom
⊕ Image stabilization feature
⊕ Lightweight and ergonomic design
⊖ No hood

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G is a powerful lens that has an ergonomic and lightweight design. Cameras equipped with this lens allow you to take wide-angle landscape shots, make stunning group photos, or portrait photos with a blur effect.

This Nikon super zoom lens is designed for shooting both HD videos and stills. Fitted with Vibration Reduction technology that enhances image stabilization, it can produce clear photos and videos of high quality even if the device is not steady.

Like other renowned lenses produced by this brand, Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G delivers photos of premium quality. The images are distinct, clear, colorful, and with minimal distortion.

Nikon endowed its product with such advanced lens technologies as Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and noiseless autofocusing, three Aspherical (AS), and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glasses that deliver high-contrast shots, eliminating undesirable ghosting and flaring.

2. Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3

Solid build
nikon super zoom lens tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3

Mount: F | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 0.49 m | Max magnification: 0.26 x | Filter thread: 18mm | Dimensions (WxL): 270 mm | Weight: 15.8 ounces

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⊕ Great optical performance
⊕ Weightless
⊕ Compensates for vibrations
⊖ CA levels issues

Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 is a Nikon super zoom lens that has an ergonomic, lightweight design, and magnifying power of 15x. It is fitted with a standing Wave Ultrasonic motor system and can brag about the pad internal AF drive.

In addition to its quick functioning and vibration compensation feature, Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 has a filter size of 62mm and weighs only 0,99lb. This great accumulation of useful functions and compact design makes this lens the best choice for all your shooting needs.

Featuring the trailblazing Piezo Drive, it ensures fast and smooth autofocus. Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 is an award-winning lens that is a must-have for taking clear and steady images in various lighting conditions.

3. Nikon 300MM f/4E

For professionals
nikon super zoom lens nikon 300mm f/4e

Mount: E | Diaphragm blades: 9 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 1.4 m | Max magnification: 0.24x | Filter thread: 77 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 300 mm | Weight: 1.66 pounds

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⊕ Weightless
⊕ Delivers sharp images
⊕ Image stabilization
⊖ Expensive

AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is a powerful lens designed to deliver only high-resolution images. It is equipped with a Phase Fresnel element that prevents chromatic aberration.

In combination with an Extra-low Dispersion glass element and Nano Crystal Coat, this 18 300mm lens for Nikon produces stunningly clear and sharp pictures.

This lens comes with Silent Wave Motor that ensures noiseless and very quick autofocusing. Moreover, the front lens is protected with a Fluorine coating that makes it dust, water, and grease resistant.

Such a coating also makes the process of cleaning as easy as it could be. Nikon 300MM f/4E is considered as the lightest 300mm full-frame AF lens.

4. Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3

Best 300mm nikon lenses
nikon super zoom lens sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3

Mount: F | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 39cm | Max magnification: 0.33 x | Filter thread: 60mm | Dimensions (WxL): 300mm | Weight: 1.29 lbs

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⊕ Optical stabilization
⊕ Compatible with many APS-C systems
⊕ Ergonomic
⊖ Dull corners

The Sigma 18-300mm 3.5-6.3 DC HSM OS Macro is a Nikon super zoom lens that amazes with its rich functionality. Balancing the optical capabilities, this 16.6x zoom also offers a 1:3 macro ratio.

This lens was specially designed for APS-C cameras and incorporates all advanced features from the Sigma brand. Moreover, Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 is fitted with a cutting-edge optical stabilizer (OS) that delivers steady images, and with an enhanced hypersonic motor (HSM) for a quick and silent autofocusing.

It also comes with four FLD glass elements that offer high-quality optical performance, identical to fluorite. One SLD glass item allows you to achieve sharp and clear pictures.

Equipped with the glass of premium quality, Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 can effectively manage aberration delivering impressive images.

6. Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G

Great sharpness
nikon super zoom lens nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3g

Mount: E | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good| Min focus distance: 1.1 m| Max magnification: ‎0.22x | Filter thread: 58mm | Dimensions (WxL): 300mm | Weight: 0.88 lbs

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⊕ Amazing sharpness
⊕ Great flare-resistant feature
⊕ Sleek and light design
⊖ Not weatherproof

The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G is a powerful lens with a sleek and ergonomic design, making it the best lens for Nikon D7000 users who seek impressive image quality, especially for distant subjects. Designed for compact DX-format DSLRs, this accessory allows you to produce high-quality images even of faraway objects.

You will be able to shoot sports events, the beauty of wildlife, concerts, and more with impressive sharpness. Its excellent optics and wide-angle field of view allow you to make great portrait photos with the effect of blurring.

This Nikon super zoom lens is equipped with a pulse motor for fast and quiet focusing. It will easily concentrate on the object with a great precision, which makes Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G perfect for recording HD videos.

6. Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3

Waterproof
nikon super zoom lens tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3

Mount: F | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 0.45m | Max magnification: 0,45 | Filter thread: 79mm | Dimensions (WxL): 400 mm | Weight: 1.55 lbs

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⊕ Impressive imagequality
⊕ Optical stabilization
⊕ Waterproof design
⊖ Noticeable distortion

Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 is the world’s first ultra-zoom lens for APS-C cameras. It features 22.2x zoom range that delivers a wide angle of view, and has other advanced characteristics of a single lens could possess.

With a solid and modern design, this optical accessory has such premium elements as low-dispersion glass and lens with aspheric elements. What is more, the lens can control chromatic aberration and distortion delivering clear and contrasted images at either wide-angle or telephoto shoot.

This Nikon super zoom lens has a great magnification power so you can use it for producing tele-macro photos of premium quality. Add to these features a water-resistant design, and you’ll realize that this is a must-have accessory for your camera.

7. Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3

Budget
nikon super zoom lens tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3

Mount: F | Diaphragm blades: 7 | Autofocus: good | Min focus distance: 0.77m | Max magnification: 0.27| Filter thread: 62 mm | Dimensions (WxL): 200 mm | Weight: 0.88 lbs

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⊕ Perfect focal length
⊕ Lightweight design
⊕ Affordable
⊖ Prone to flaring

This lens has the focal length of 18-200mm and a compact design that make this model perfect for usage in different situations. It is equipped with many advanced features and has a light solid construction that eliminates any fatigue while carrying around.

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3is perfect for beginners and casual users, and can serve as an interchangeable lens. This impressive Nikon super zoom lens has a powerful zoom for making stunning shots. It can be used for producing group pictures in cramped places or zooming distant objects while shooting.

This optical accessory has Vibration Compensation technology that delivers sharply focused photographs even in situations where camera vibration is inevitable. A cutting-edge autofocus drive module together with DC motor-gear train makes autofocus quicker, more silent, and accurate.

Image Name Features  
nikon super zoom lens nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3g
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G
Our choice
  • Diaphragm blades: 7
  • Min focus distance: 0.48 m
  • Max magnification: 0.32x
  • Dimensions (WxL): 300 mm
CHECK PRICE
nikon super zoom lens tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3
Compact
  • Diaphragm blades: 7
  • Min focus distance: 0.49 m
  • Max magnification: 0.26 x
  • Dimensions (WxL): 270 mm
CHECK PRICE
nikon super zoom lens nikon 300mm f/4e
Nikon 300MM f/4E
High quality
  • Diaphragm blades: 9
  • Min focus distance: 1.4 m
  • Max magnification: 0.24x
  • Dimensions (WxL): 300 mm
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Nikon Super Zoom Lens?

nikon super zoom lens

Zoom Range

A wide zoom range, such as 18-200mm or 24-120mm, offers a diverse field of view, making it ideal for travel and everyday photography. With a single lens, you can easily switch between capturing expansive landscapes or zooming in on distant wildlife, eliminating the need to carry multiple lenses, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.

The zoom range also plays a vital role in capturing spontaneous moments quickly. When photographing events or wildlife, you may not have the luxury of changing lenses in the blink of an eye. A super zoom lens with a broad zoom range ensures you can quickly adapt to different shooting scenarios, allowing you to seize those fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime shots with ease. For a superzoom lens, it’s tempting to go for the maximum possible zoom range, but you can often enjoy a reduction in size and weight if you sacrifice a little telephoto reach

Maximum Aperture

Important element to consider is the maximum aperture of the lens, or the lens’ ability to recover light. This is the number behind the “f/”. The smaller the number (e. g. f/1.4) the larger your aperture is.

In concrete terms, you bring in more light and this allows 3 things: To take photos of your subjects faster; To be able to take photos in low-light conditions without having to increase ISOs or risk blurring the image; To blur your backgrounds.

On a zoom, two cases arise: A fixed maximum aperture: this only means that you will have the same maximum aperture no matter what focal length you have (Ex: 70-200mm f/2.8). Note that fixed aperture zooms are generally of better quality, more expensive, and allow for greater creativity! A variable aperture. For instance, I will have a maximum aperture of f/4 at 70 mm and f/5.6 at 300 mm.

Compatibility with Camera’s Sensor

nikon super zoom lens

There are two types of sensors available: the CCD and the CMOS . The latter is larger than the former and can capture more light, which allows it to produce higher-quality images than the CCD. But this difference in size can also affect the structure and overall function of your camera, so make sure the lens you’ll get is compatible with your camera’s specs and body.

FAQ

  • • What's more important the camera or the lens?

Camera lenses are more important than the camera they're attached to, at least in most situations. An entry level DSLR with a great lens will take great photos while a $10,000 professional camera with a terrible lens will take terrible pictures.

  • • What 3 lenses should every photographer have?

Lenses Every Photographer Should Have: A Good Prime Lens Common focal lengths for prime lenses include 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm, though there are a plethora of other options available.

  • • Which lens should I buy first?

It depends on your needs. Keep in mind that lenses control the outcome of your photos, so think of the type of photos you'd like to shoot. For example, if you want to take portraits, invest in a prime lens. If you're more into landscape photography, then a wide-angle lens is your best bet.

  • • Which lens is better 35mm or 50mm?

Meaning your 50 mm lens can not focus close enough to get a lock on your subject, leaving them out of focus. With a 35 mm lens you can focus closer than the 50 mm lens. Next the wider field of view allows for a deeper depth of field. Depth of field is the distance of how much will be in focus.

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