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Whether you’re a professional a beginner, or if you’ve been doing photography as a hobby or as a profession, you will agree that a good lens holds immense importance. As far as the Nikon D3300 is concerned, it is one of the best entry-level DSLRs on the market. When it’s paired with a good lens, its capabilities reach the absolute extreme.
However, if you don’t know much about lenses or are simply baffled by the sheer amount present in the market and need some help picking one, we’ve got you covered.
We have a complete guide of the best Nikon D3300 lenses, which includes all there is to know about buying one, along with some excellent recommendations.
Contents
- Review of the Best Nikon D3300 Lenses
- Best Overall: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens
- Runner-up: Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3
- Best for the Money and Best 50mm Lens: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
- Best Wide-Angle Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5
- Best Zoom Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G
- Best Telephoto Lens: Tamron Auto-Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD
- Best 55mm-200mm Lens: NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G
- Comparison Chart of the Best Nikon D3300 Lenses
- How Does a Camera Lens Work?
- What Size of Lens Do I Need?
- How to Choose a Camera Lens
- Nikon Lenses 101 – Types Explained
- Conclusion
Review of the Best Nikon D3300 Lenses
There’s a ton of options available in terms of camera lenses, and even though that is a good thing, it makes the entire process of picking one incredibly difficult and confusing. Now, knowing how important lenses are, you wouldn’t want to buy anything but the best. Thus, we have a list of some of the best Nikon D3300 lenses available in the market.
Best Overall: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens
PROS
- Budget-friendly with high-quality performance
- Compact and lightweight, which makes it incredibly comfortable to use
- Can shoot in many conditions and is especially stunning in low-light conditions
- Normal angle of view’ approximates the image to what we see through our eyes
- Features maximum aperture, which gives complete depth of control for isolating subjects and taking stunning portraits
CONS
- Auto-focus is a little slow
- Not the best for macrophotography
- Seems to overexpose on bright, sunny days
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy with this Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens. It seems to have largely positive reviews everywhere. Buyers commended the product for being incredible in low-lighting conditions, which isn’t a strong suit for even many higher-end products. Furthermore, it provides great value, which also greatly impressed the buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for being the complete package. This unit not only performs well, but offers many features, is durable and comfortable to use, and does not break the bank. It can create those stunning portraits you see on professional photography pages and the maximum aperture allows you to isolate subjects to achieve that.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be a great lens for beginners, given that it’s so easy to operate and is lightweight and portable, thus, making it very ergonomic. It is a budget-friendly option and offers a great avenue to start learning and practicing different skills. Plus, it is incredibly versatile and can work for many lighting conditions.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is incredible. You really can’t beat it. The entire construction, plus the features it offers at an amazing price simply makes it a wonderful investment. It’s highly reliable and durable, as well as easy to use and carry around due to its lightweight construction.
- F mount lens/DX format. Picture angle with Nikon DX format 44 degree
- 52.5 millimeter (35-millimeter equivalent). Rear focusing; Manual focus override
- Aperture range: F/1.8 to 22; Dimensions(approx.) 70 x 52.5 millimeter
Runner-up: Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3
PROS
- Equipped with a hypersonic motor for quiet and efficient auto-focusing.
- Comes with image stabilization for incredibly sharp and crisp images
- Compact and lightweight design makes it incredibly convenient for travel
- Comes with a brass-made bayonet mount to reinforce strength and long-term usage
- Close-up compatibility is approved with the minimum focusing of 13.8’’ throughout the entire zoom range, which makes it incredible for macro photography
CONS
- Not the best for telephoto pictures
- On the much higher-end price range
- Lens seems to accumulate dust between the elements
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were quite happy with the performance of this Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 lens. They seemed to really enjoy the product and found it to be a great walk-around lens. The construction is incredibly convenient for traveling and carrying around, plus the additional features make it great for macro, sport, and landscape photography.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit is incredible in so many ways. First, it comes with image stabilization, which allows one to capture sharp and crisp images. Furthermore, the close-up compatibility and minimum focusing distance make it perfect for macro photography. Also, the auto-focus it is efficient and quick.
Who Will Use This Most
If you have kids or dogs that you like to film but often find it hard to get decent pictures as they move too much, causing you to lose many precious moments, then this is the lens you want. It is perfect since it is equipped with efficient and fast auto-focus. It is particularly great for macro photography, as it has close-up compatibility and a minimum focusing of 13.8’’.
Bottom Line
This unit is a true masterpiece, given how highly reliable and durable it is. There aren’t many units on the market which work so well, carry a good warranty, and are made of high-quality materials. This product works for multiple lighting conditions and for different photography styles, thus, it is a great overall lens.
- 18-250mm focal length, only compatible with APS-C DSLRs
- 27-375mm equivalent focal length on APS-C cameras, 28.8-400mm equivalent focal length on Canon APS-C...
- Micromotor-type AF motor with full-time manual focusing
Best for the Money and Best 50mm Lens: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
PROS
- Fast and quiet auto-focus provides great handling
- Aspherical lens which reduces coma and other lens aberrations
- Compact and lightweight, which enables it to be great for traveling
- Optimized to give edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format
- Super-integrated coating reduces lens flare to enhance optical lens elements
CONS
- VR isn’t that great
- Lens is not zoomable
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy that they purchased the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens. It is one of the best-quality lenses in this range. It is quite easily comparable to much higher-end lenses, which is surprising, given its price. Its versatility and well-engineered design combine to provide freedom and space for learning multiple new techniques, which is what piqued the buyers’ interest in the product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit is incredibly well-built, thus, it was bound to catch our attention. The exterior and overall build aren’t the only thing, which is great, but the unit is filled with features that improve the image quality of pictures captured with this lens. Furthermore, the auto-focus makes its handling easy and smooth.
Who Will Use This Most
It is the perfect lens for taking portraits, pictures of food, and close-ups. Its auto-focus is incredibly efficient and not loud at all due to the silent wave motor. Furthermore, it provides better handling of the unit, thus making it easy to use for beginners, as well, who seem to struggle with image focusing.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been searching for a great lens that doesn’t break the bank, yet is comparable to high-end products, this is the one for you. It provides excellent image quality and superior handling and is therefore, a great investment.
- Fast, upgraded f/1.8, compact FX format prime lens. The picture angle with 35 millimeter (135)...
- Focal length 50 millimeter, minimum focus distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter)
- Newly developed optical system with aspherical lens element, exclusive Nikon silent wave motor (SWM)
Best Wide-Angle Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5
PROS
- Silent wave motor offers quiet and efficient auto-focusing
- SIC and ED glass lens provide superior color quality and sharpness
- Features an aspherical lens, which eliminates coma and other lens aberrations
- Offers superior sharpness and contrast by minimizing chromatic aberration
- Offers a dramatic ultra-wide, 110-degree picture angle, which is ideal for landscapes, interiors, etc.
CONS
- On the much higher-end of the spectrum
- Some buyers complained of softness and distortion
- Lens cap seems to pop off, even at the slightest jarring
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are impressed with the working of this Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 lens, as the product is of great quality and produces great images. People did find it to be very pricey, however, the price point is justified by the great quality images it provides. Also, its handling is very easy, and its operation is smooth, which is why it is a consumer favorite.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for having many features. It is on the pricier end but provides value for money as it gives incredible image quality results. This is because it has features such as silent wave motor, super-integrated coating, and ED glass. These factors affect the handling and color quality of the image, which are phenomenal.
Who Will Use This Most
It is a great wide-angle camera, thus, it would be great for capturing beautiful architecture, cityscapes, and landscapes. It is jam-packed with features to allow the reduction of distortion and make the focus quiet and efficient. Thus, the resulting image is always of professional quality.
Bottom Line
Overall, the unit is of excellent quality and would prove to be a great investment for those in search of a wide-angle lens. The pros it offers largely outweigh the cons, and if your budget allows, this unit could be great for those breathtaking wide-angle shots.
- Ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, architecture and more.
- Focal Length : 10- 24 mm, Close focusing to 0.8 feet
- Renders a picture angle of 109 degrees through 61 degrees, equivalent to focal lengths of 15-36mm.
Best Zoom Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G
PROS
- Silent wave motor allows efficient and quiet autofocus
- Incredibly lightweight and compact, thus is great for travels
- Features super-integrated coating for enhances low-light performance
- 2 extra-low dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberration which makes the picture clearer
- Features a high refractive index lens element that offers superior contrast at even higher apertures
CONS
- Plastic construction can seem low quality
- Not the best for moderate lighting conditions
- VR does not work well for longer focal lengths
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are happy with their purchase of this Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, as it seems to be incredibly portable, yet features great contrast. The product is also budget-friendly, which came as a surprise to many consumers, given the high-quality performance it offers. Furthermore, the construction is lightweight and easy to handle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit caught our attention for many different reasons. Firstly, it was incredibly portable and convenient to travel with for a lens of this size. This can be attributed to the high refractive lens element, which gives it a high contrast, while keeping it compact in shape. More so, the focus and zoom are incredible, making it great for photographing subjects at a distance.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is particularly great for taking shots of distant objects as it features an amazing zoom lens and auto-focus. It can even be employed for wildlife photography, as it produces excellent images that have great contrast, and the auto-focus is efficient and quiet. The overall construction is lightweight and thus, great for travel.
Bottom Line
Overall, the unit is incredibly handy and useful. It has multiple amazing features that account for its excellent picture quality, ease of use, and versatile nature. It is well-designed, yet promises great value. If these are what you want in an ideal camera lens, then this one is definitely worth investing in.
- 5.5x Telephoto Zoom lens,Filter Thread: 58 mm
- Nikon VR Image Stabilization; Tripod Detection Mode, Focal Length Range : 55 -300 mm, Minimum Focus...
- HRI (High Refractive Index) Lens Element
Best Telephoto Lens: Tamron Auto-Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD
PROS
- Has a built-in motor for fast and accurate focusing
- Has a lens hood included to increase contrast and to maximize glare protection
- Equipped with a telephoto zoom, which crops in tight and brings distant subjects close
- Comes with an incredible 6-year warranty which makes it highly long-lasting and reliable
- Features macro mode for photographing small objects up-close which gives a magnification ratio of 1:2
CONS
- Needs vibration reduction at the focal length
- As the range increases, the image loses its sharpness
- Lens focus is slow in AF mode if the subject isn’t stationary
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers seem to be really impressed with this Tamron Auto-Focus 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD lens. Many of them found it incredibly easy to operate, especially for beginners, as it has an incredible design and features, especially for distant shots, which tend to be harder to capture. Some did find it slow in auto-focus mode if the objects were in motion. Despite that, most were happy with their purchase.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for multiple reasons. First, it is incredibly affordable and comes with an amazing 6-year warranty which isn’t seen on expensive camera lenses. The product itself has multiple features that make it incredible for macro and telephoto photography.
Who Will Use This Most
It has incredible features for macro photography and telephotos. It can be employed to take great portrait shots or shots of nature. It features low-dispersion glass elements to help reduce chromatic aberration, so the image produced is incredibly sharp and crisp. It would be great for traveling and beginners.
Bottom Line
Overall, this unit is a must-have for photographers. If you want the ideal camera for taking telephoto shots, this lens would be perfect for you. Furthermore, it is constructed to be ergonomic, budget-friendly, and great for beginners. It surely is a great investment.
- The popular Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 Di LD Macro features a built in motor to ensure fast...
- Close-focusing ability - 0.95m (3.1 feet ), focal lengths between 180 and 300mm. Compatible with the...
- This telephoto zoom will crop in tight or bring distant subjects in close. Angle of view: 34-8
Best 55mm-200mm Lens: NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G
PROS
- Optical distortion is eliminated by extra-low dispersion glass
- Compact and lightweight, thus can be employed on travels
- Vibration reduction and image stabilization provide blur-free handheld shooting
- Comes with a superior integrated coating which delivers excellent color quality and reduces ghosting and lens flare
- Provides enhanced low-light performance and is great for telephoto reach due to the incredible aperture and zoom
CONS
- Auto-focus is slow
- Build quality could be better
- Zoom ring isn’t as smooth while rotating
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers loved the performance of this NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G lens. They find it to be incredibly reliable and easy to use. Many buyers reported that it was a great walk-around lens since it is lightweight and compact. Even though some buyers find the auto-focus to be a bit slow, it still was functional and did its job quietly.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We find it to be a great pick for multiple reasons. First, it is great for low-light and telephoto photography, which are often not the strongest suits of any lenses. Furthermore, it offers vibration reduction and image stabilization so you can capture crisp and sharp images without worrying about lens lapse.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’ve been looking for a good zoom lens that has great image stabilization and vibration reduction for telephoto photography, then this could be a great option. It will furthermore be an excellent choice for travelers as it is pretty lightweight and compact. Plus, its full aperture can be used for low-light photography.
Bottom Line
Overall, this product is a great one to invest in. It offers incredible features that make it highly efficient, smooth operating, and ergonomic, which are features one looks for in their ideal camera lens. This lens is highly reliable and is one of the best you can get your hands on.
- Compact telephoto zoom that's great for action, people and travel. Metering - Full aperture
- Focal Length Range : 55 -200 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 3.7 ft. ( 1.1 m). Maximum angle of view...
- Super Integrated Coating (SIC) delivers superior color quality while reducing ghosting and lens...
Comparison Chart of the Best Nikon D3300 Lenses
How Does a Camera Lens Work?
Actually, a camera lens isn’t just one lens. In fact, it is an assembly of lenses which, in turn, work with the camera body and mechanisms to capture objects either on a photographic film or other storage media. A lens bends the light beam entering at a certain degree to form an image. The total angle at which the lens bends the image is determined by the shape of the lens, which, in turn, has different effects on the image formed. Therefore, a lens is arguably the most important part of your camera and one needs to choose it carefully.
What Size of Lens Do I Need?
It may be very confusing to decipher the number and letter scribblings on a lens for someone who isn’t aware of the basic terminologies. First, you should be aware of your lens mount. Lenses are made with propriety mounts that fit certain cameras. Thus, it’s important to check the compatibility of your lens with your camera and see whether or not it will fit.
Furthermore, you also need to determine whether the lens will produce an image big enough to cover the image sensor. Different cameras utilize different-sized sensors, therefore, make sure the sensor format your camera uses is supported by the lens.
How to Choose a Camera Lens
There are many great lenses available in the market, but which one is the best for you? There are certain factors that make a lens worth it. Let’s take a look:
Which Would Work Best, a Prime or Zoom Lens?
When researching lenses, you will come across these terminologies a lot. There has been an on-going debate for many years, which has failed to decide which is better out of the two, as it purely depends upon personal preference. Zoom lenses cover a range of focal lengths and therefore are versatile. However, prime lenses offer excellent performance in low lighting conditions and have less distortion.
How Does it Perform Under Varying Lighting Conditions?
It is important to check the aperture of the product, which is a measure of how much light will enter through the lens. This will give better insight into whether the product will work in diverse lighting conditions such as on a bright sunny day or late at night.
Does it Offer Image Stabilization and Vibration Reduction?
Image stabilization and vibration reduction greatly help in producing sharp images that are crisp, thus, they are important features to have in a lens. Furthermore, if your camera is equipped with good auto-focus, you will never have to experience the frustration that comes with taking shaky pictures.
Nikon Lenses 101 – Types Explained
There are multiple types of lenses that are specialized for different types of photography. These are equipped with different features and are constructed differently from one another, which allows them to be good at different things. Different kinds of Nikon lenses include:
Wide-Angle Lens
These types of lenses are often employed to capture pictures of nature, landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, etc. They capture a large part of your scenery.
Standard Lens
These are constructed for capturing pictures, exactly the way a human eye would see the entire scenario. They are deemed to be highly versatile for most types of photography.
Macro Lens
As the name suggests, macro lenses act as magnifying glasses and help focus and capture small subjects and make them appear bigger than they would in real life.
Telephoto Lens
These are the big, long, and heavy lenses you’ve probably seen. Their main purpose is to make the focused object appear closer than it really is. These might be suitable for sports or wildlife photography, anywhere you can’t be close to the scene.
Can You Really Find a Quality Lens That’s Affordable?
There are plenty of quality lens options available in the market which are affordable as well. We have recommended some excellent ones so there’s no need to fret about being unable to find an affordable option. However, keep in mind that when manufacturers reduce the price point of the product, it is often reflected by the construction of the unit.
Instead of metal, many affordable lenses carry plastic designs that make them lightweight and portable, yet not as durable as higher-end products. The image quality isn’t affected by it, however, the aesthetics, feel of the product, and durability may suffer.
Conclusion
It would suffice to say that the lens you invest in is perhaps more important than the camera you are using. You could get great pictures and explore the many avenues of photography by using an average camera and a good lens. However, the same results would be impossible to achieve with a good camera paired with a bad lens.
The latter would just result in bad pictures. This clearly explains why professional photographers are so picky about their lenses and will only settle for the best ones.
Even though it can be daunting to look for the best lens, if you keep in mind what you’re looking for in a lens and all the characteristics which make a great one, you will be able to find the best one for your usage.