Consider your photography needs and budget when selecting a lens for your Nikon D7200. The good news is that, whether you are looking for a prime or a zoom lens, you can certainly find one that best fits your camera and skill level.
Hello everyone! My name is Lavelle and for the past nearly 15 years I have been helping clients across the United States with their photography and videography needs. I have used several brands of cameras throughout my career including the Nikon brand.
In this article, I will share my thoughts on the things you should look for in a good lens. I will also offer you the list of the best lenses for the Nikon D7200.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Look for a versatile lens that allows you to shoot varying scenes with one lens. This versatility saves you time and money.
- The focal length and aperture often make the difference between average and superb shots.
- Consider lenses that give you quiet autofocus or image stabilization to enhance image quality.
The Nikon D7200 is an F mount. It also has AF coupling and contacts.
Is a Nikon d7200 a DX or FX?
The Nikon D7200 comes with an APC-S sensor which is a DX. It is compatible with both the DX and FX formats.
What is a kit lens?
A lens kit is the lens that comes with the camera. It typically includes vibration reduction and image stabilization on the lens.
What to Look for in a Lens for Nikon D7200
When it comes to finding a good lens, there are several factors that I suggest you consider.
- Compatibility: Lens compatibility is critical to image quality. Choose a lens that is designed to work well with your camera and that does not limit functionality.
- Focal Length: Depending on the type of shot you’re shooting, you will want a lens that has a focal range that best suits that shot. For instance, portrait images typically work well with 50mm focal lengths, while sporting activities generally work well with 200-500mm focal lengths.
- Versatility: Having a lens in your toolkit that can shoot well in various settings is necessary. There are times when you don’t have the luxury of switching lenses out repeatedly and a versatile lens allows you to shoot an up-close shot and a landscape shot with the same lens.
- Aperture: Most kit lenses come with basic aperture settings that do not allow you to maximize each shot. Look for a lens that works well in low light conditions and that can also give you a nice background blur. You may consider lenses with aperture settings of f/4 or wider.
The Best Lenses for Nikon D7200 Reviewed
Here is my list of the best options, along with a quick review of each item so you know its pros and cons.
1. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED Zoom Lens (Best Overall)
- Focal length: 18-300mm
- Weight: 19.4 oz.
- 35mm equivalent: 27-450mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5
The best all-around choice is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm Zoom Lens. This remarkable lens is super versatile and can just about cover the entire focal length spectrum. It is well-designed and works well for many different shooting scenarios.
The Nikkor 18-300mm combines excellent image quality with great versatility allowing you to shoot travel shots, portraits, sports, and several other activities without changing the glass. It has an excellent 35mm equivalent range and it is a stable lens.
The thing that I like most about this lens is its versatility. This all-in-one lens gives you the ability to maximize your time and avoid the inconvenience of having to change out lenses for every shot you take. The focal range of 18-300mm allows you to shoot close-ups and distance without losing much quality.
However, it does soften at the edges on the long end of the focal range. So when shooting at 300mm you might notice some softening in your shot, which you can compensate for by changing some settings or correcting in post editing.
My Verdict: This is a go-to lens for the photographer that is on the move and doesn’t have time to waste. It’s a reliable lens with good image quality and excellent versatility. It is easily used by photographers of all skill levels.
2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED Zoom Lens (Best Wide Angle)
- Focal length: 10-24mm
- Weight: 16.2 oz.
- 35mm equivalent: 15-36mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm is Nikon’s highest-quality DX-format wide-angle lens and it delivers exceptional quality. When it comes to wide-angle lenses, this is the flagship lens to consider.
This lens delivers wide and sharp images and is great for scenes such as architecture and landscapes. It effectively covers a wide area and when used correctly, delivers mostly unparalleled quality.
This lens’s quick, precise, and incredibly quiet autofocus system is remarkable. It is excellent for delivering sharp, color-balanced images because of its ability to minimize chromatic aberrations.
The one drawback with this lens is that there is no vibration reduction technology and you can expect to see some distortion at the wide end of the focal range. Also, it does not perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions.
My Verdict: This lens is deserving of the number two spot on my list. It is designed very well and produces excellent-quality images when the settings are maximized.
3. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED Zoom Lens (Best Portrait)
- Focal length: 17-55mm
- Weight: 26.6 oz.
- 35mm equivalent: 25.5-82.5mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Coming in at the number three spot on my list is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 17-55mm. This is another example of Nikon’s ability to deliver an exceptional zoom lens with a focal range that enhances image quality.
This lens is excellent for portrait photography. Its 35mm equivalent range of 25.5 – 82.5mm is remarkable and sets it apart from its competitors. When quality is the ultimate goal, this is the lens to choose without a doubt.
The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G has a superb optical quality that is unmatched by comparable lenses in its category. It works exceptionally well in low light conditions and delivers a sharpness that is noteworthy.
The biggest concern is that there is no vibration reduction and the price is very high for this lens. Other than the price, this lens is hard to beat.
My Verdict: This is an excellent lens and delivers great quality and performance. It is a bit pricey and should be considered a major investment for serious photographers.
4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens (Best Budget)
- Focal length: 35mm
- Weight: 7.1 oz.
- 35mm equivalent: 52.5mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8
The final choice is the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm Lens. When it comes to value, this is a great choice. It delivers nice, sharp images and performs well in low-light conditions which adds to its overall value.
This 35mm lens is great for scenes like travel and street photography. It has a silent autofocus system and it is lightweight and easy to carry. The lens construction is well designed with eight elements in six groups.
The best thing about this lens is its affordable price tag and from a technical perspective, it works exceptionally well in low-light conditions. Priced at under $200, this lens is possibly the best dollar-for-dollar value in the Nikon DX line of lenses.
But the fact that is made of plastic worries me. I don’t think it is a long-lasting lens with this type of design and durability certainly comes into question as well.
My Verdict: This is a great lens choice for your D7200 and comes in at a great value. The specs are good on this lens and the quality is notable.
Final Thoughts
The Nikon D7200 is an excellent crop-frame DSLR and the lenses I’ve mentioned here work very well with it. While it is similar from a technical perspective to the D7100, there are some notable improvements on the D7200 and these improvements lead to some exceptional image quality with the right lens.
A few other worthy lens considerations include the 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, the 16-85mm, and the new 16-80mm. The 50mm f/1.4G is also another great consideration for the D7200.
Have you tried any of these lenses before? If so, share your experience in the comments section below.
As always, enjoy every moment you shoot!
