Best Lenses For Nikon D5200 [2024 Review]

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Buying the perfect lens is not at all a piece of cake. The lenses are the most important part of your camera. If you wish to do superb and cool photography, then you must buy a high-quality lens.

A lens handles the quality of the picture. It controls everything, from the speed of the shutter to the amount of light entering the camera.

To make your choice easier, we’ve reviewed the very best lenses for your Nikon D5200.

Review of the Best Lenses For Nikon D5200

The passion for photography in the general public is increasing day by day. Taking photographs has become a part of every business. In such cases, buying the appropriate lens is very important. Keeping that not every lens will be perfect for your purposes, here are some of the top picks you can go for:

Brand
Nikon
Nikon
Nikon
Product
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto...
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II...
Focal Length
35mm
50mm
55-200mm
Aperture
f/1.8G
f/1.8G
f/4-5.6G
Brand
Nikon
Product
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto...
Focal Length
35mm
Aperture
f/1.8G
Brand
Nikon
Product
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
Focal Length
50mm
Aperture
f/1.8G
Brand
Nikon
Product
NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II...
Focal Length
55-200mm
Aperture
f/4-5.6G

Best Overall: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto...

PROS

  • Silent wave motor provides fast and accurate autofocus
  • Offers efficiency, color consistency, and less flare due to SIC
  • Can focus on objects at 1 foot, thus increasing the versatility
  • Aspherical lenses that reduce the coma and other lens deviations
  • 7-blade diaphragm produces natural images of the objects that do not lie within the focus

CONS

  • You cannot zoom the lens
  • Manual focus ring is hard enough
  • Purple fringing is visible in high contrast pictures

What Recent Buyers Report 

According to recent buyers, this is an inexpensive and easy to use lens. They state that it is light in weight and has a very nice bokeh. They are very happy with the results of this lens and they love the packaging. It produces sharp and bright pictures. For many, it is their all-time favorite lens.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This lens is worth buying due to its crisp, bright, and sharp pictures. You can use it for various purposes. The autofocus and versatility are worth praising. Plus, it reduces distortions and coma from your photographs. We are sure that you will never regret buying this lens.

Who Will Use This Most

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a great photography tool for beginners. Students who are eager to learn and do photography can use this lens. You can even gift it to your friends and family who love photography. It is also helpful for television shoots and will help you in taking pictures of very small objects.

Bottom Line

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a perfect tool for people who are looking for a lens that can provide amazing and high-quality photographs. It is affordable and not at all difficult to use. You will enjoy using it for photography. Thus, you must buy this lens if you love taking pictures.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto...
  • 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

Best Nikon D5200 50mm Lens: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens

PROS

  • Silent wave motor helps in quiet and quick autofocusing
  • Can remove aberrations and provide perfect portraits
  • Latest optical design provides high-quality performance
  • Plastic case and metal mounting make this easy to carry
  • You can switch from manual to autofocusing without any time lag

CONS

  • Limited time warranty
  • Some users claim that the autofocus stops working after a few days
  • Does not zoom in and has a short-range for focus

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers have mentioned in their reviews that Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is one of the best lenses available on the market. They further state that everyone must have it for basic photography. Some of them are not happy with the autofocusing feature. However, according to some reviews, this is a great lens for an amateur.

Why it Stands Out to Us

You can carry this lens anywhere easily. It contains the latest optical design, plastic covering, and metal mounting. It has a 50mm focal length and silent wave motor, which is quite impressive. It can focus on objects that are very near or at a distance of 1.48 feet. It has two modes; automatic and manual focusing.

Who Will Use This Most

You can use this lens for professional and general purposes. It is a perfect option for those who love to take pictures of foods, small objects, and insects. It allows you to change the modes (autofocus and manual focus) easily as well. Thus, it is very easy to focus on anything.

Bottom Line

The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G has a fixed 50mm focal length and maximum f/1.8 aperture. The most positive point is that it allows dual focusing modes. You can use it to capture bright and sharp pictures. This photography tool is successful in gaining a lot of appreciation and positive reviews.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
  • 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 for the Money: NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II

NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II...

PROS

  • ED (extra-low dispersion) glass that removes the optical defects
  • Telephoto zoom allows you to take great pictures of people and action
  • SIC offers high color quality images that are free from flare and ghosting
  • Vibration reduction feature allows handheld shooting and low light shooting
  • 7-blade diaphragm captures natural pictures of the objects that are out of focus

CONS

  • At times, it provides low contrast images
  • Autofocus stops working after a few days
  • Picture gets blurred after you zoom out of the lens

What Recent Buyers Report

According to some reviews, this is a great photographic tool. It provides excellent quality photographs at an affordable price. It is a perfect lens for people who are learning photography. Users state that it is an amazing telephoto lens, which is best for taking pictures while traveling. Customers highly recommend it to other people.

Why it Stands Out to Us

NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II stands out because it provides astounding photographs at a very low cost. Everyone, even beginners, can easily buy it and use it without any difficulty. The SIC removes ghosting and flares from the image, which makes the results even more stunning and eye-catching. It also removes optical faults.

Who Will Use This Most

If you are willing to buy an affordable lens for gifting to someone, then this is the perfect option for you. It is great for professional users and amateurs. Beginners can also use this tool for learning basic photography. People can use it to capture pictures of objects that are present at different focal lengths.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, this lens is an inexpensive photographic tool with outstanding qualities. You can use it to produce sharp, bright, crisp, high-quality pictures. You will love using this lens and will be able to carry it if you are traveling anywhere.

NIKON AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II...
  • 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...

Best Wide Angle Lens for Nikon D5200: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon

PROS

  • Permits a full-time option for MF
  • Very fast, constant, and unique aperture
  • Also allows you to capture pictures in low light conditions
  • Includes lens hood and cap (front and rear) that help in protecting the lens
  • Allows internal focusing, which increases its functionality along with usability

CONS

  • A little bit heavy
  • Does not cover the full-frame
  • Focus ring causes malfunctions and problems at times

What Recent Buyers Report

Purchasers have written in their reviews that this is a great lens for low light places. They love its results for landscape photography. According to them, it is a very sharp lens with a very quick and large usable aperture. It is the best pick for wide-angle objects and will never disappoint you.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM is amazing because it provides wide aperture and high-quality images. Its packaging includes a lens cap and hood that will protect it from scratches. You can focus internally at different angles. This lens also has SLD elements. It has a wide focal length range and fast aperture.

Who Will Use This Most

You can use the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM for both landscape and portrait photography. It covers a 2x zoom range that allows you to take clear and sharp pictures. You can also use it in your cameras for commercial and professional purposes. Photographers can use it to take bright and sharp photographs.

Bottom Line

To sum up, this lens provides you with clear and perfect photographs. It has a broad range of focal lengths and a very speedy aperture. Its results are also worth praising and you can use it to make videos. If you are passionate about photography, then you must try this lens.

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Nikon
  • Designed specifically for APS-C sized sensors
  • Internal focusing and zooming allows for more usability and functionality
  • The 18-35mm is ideal for landscapes, portraits, still life, snap shots, casual, and close-ups

Best Telephoto Lens for Nikon D5200: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED...

PROS

  • Two extra elements of low dispersion
  • High refractive index glass, which provides amazing optical effects
  • ED glass along with the normal optics prevent chromatic distortions
  • Tripod detection helps in decreasing the vibrations in tripod shooting
  • Vibration reduction helps in capturing sharp images, even with handheld shooting

CONS

  • Autofocus of this lens is very slow
  • Creates noise while autofocusing that can be heard in videos
  • Photographic lens stops working at times and produces dark images

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers are gladly using Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300 for their photography. According to them, it is an amazing steal at an affordable rate. This is a great starter lens that any beginner can purchase without thinking twice. It is a superb addition to the DX lineup.

Why it Stands Out to Us

With incredible telephoto capability and vibration reduction specifications, this lens will fulfill all of your demands and requirements. Users will get the complete package out of this product at a low cost. It is also known for its performance with tripod shooting.

Who Will Use This Most

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED is great for teenagers just getting into photography. Also, professional photographers can use it to gain maximum profit in their business. It can focus on tiny things also, and it provides a crisp and sharp image, making it great for product photography. Beyond that, you can use it to create beautiful portrait photographs.

Bottom Line

This camera lens is famous for its performance during telephoto and tripod shooting. You can make high-quality videos with it. Its design and cost are also bonus points for the buyers. All in all, it’s going to be a great investment.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED...
  • 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 Nikon D5200 Zoom Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...

PROS

  • Allows excellent wide-angle shooting and flawless shots
  • You can zoom out and take clear pictures of distant objects
  • 3 aspherical lenses, which prevent coma flaws and aberrations
  • Technique of vibration reduction decreases the camera shake defects
  • ED glass minimizes chromatic defaults and produces high-efficiency results

CONS

  • Packaging is very poor
  • Warranty is for 1 year only
  • Performance in low light places is not so good

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers have found this to be perfect for taking beautiful photographs. While it’s not the best option for low light photography, people love it due to its wide-angle zoom feature. It is an amazing lens for taking pictures of large objects.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This Nikon lens is popular due to its wide zoom angle feature. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR is one of the most famous lenses on the market. It reduces lens aberrations, camera shakes, and color defects from the photographs. It has three aspherical lenses and a silent wave motor. These features are more than enough for anyone to like it.

Who Will Use This Most

People who are fond of taking pictures of themselves can use this lens. They can carry it easily anywhere. They can also use it to take spectacular photographs while traveling. It is a perfect tool for taking group photographs. People can gift it to their friends who love photography.

Bottom Line

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G is one of the most astonishing and impressive camera products currently available. It provides image stabilization, perfect sharpness, and high-quality pictures. You can use it for HD videos and everyday shooting. Without a doubt, it is worth buying and deserves a lot of appreciation.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED...
  • AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens
  • Focal Length Range : 16 -85 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 1.3 ft. ( 0.38 m)
  • Designed for use with Nikon DX digital SLR cameras, including the D40, D60, D80, D90, and D300

Best Nikon D5200 Macro Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G

Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up...

PROS

  • Rubber is dustproof and waterproof
  • SWM allows ultra-quick and ultra-quiet performance
  • Can sharpen the size of a photograph from infinity to 1X (life-size)
  • Allows rapid switching between autofocus mode and manual mode
  • Lightweight and has a compact design, which makes it easy to handle and carry

CONS

  • Lacks stabilization
  • Focal length is less for a macro lens
  • Zooming in and out of the lens is not possible

What Recent Buyers Report

According to recent customers, this lens was successful in fulfilling their expectations. It is a fantastic macro lens for photographers, with very fast and smooth autofocus. It is an ideal option for enthusiast photographers. It performs very well in low light conditions.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There have been a lot of recent advancements in the photography field, so it can be tough to select a good lens. But this one has successfully made its mark as the best macro lens. It produces amazing portrait pictures. The most impressive feature is that it can withstand water and dust. Its performance will remain the same, despite rigorous use.

Who Will Use This Most

The Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G is an astounding tool for macro photography. Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR is an ideal lens for people who love shooting photographs of nature, small things, and insects. If you have a passion for photography, then this one will fulfill your demands completely. Professionals can use this to capture very close objects too.

Bottom Line

This macro lens is perfect for macro photography. You can take snaps of miniscule to large objects without any difficulty. The feature that attracts us the most is that it provides crisp and sharp images while being wonderfully inexpensive. So, if you want to have bright and vibrant photographs, then you must purchase this lens.

Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Close-up...
  • Compact and lightweight DX-format close-up lens. Lens Construction (Elements/Groups) - 9 elements in...
  • Maximum reproduction ratio is 1.0x. Focal length is 40 mm
  • Sharp images from infinity to life-size (1x), autofocus to 64 inches

Best Nikon D5200 Fisheye Lens: Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED

Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Fixed Zoom...

PROS

  • ED glass reduces color aberrations
  • Quick autofocus and aperture
  • Portable due to its lightweight and small size
  • Built-in lens hood that helps in reducing the lens flare and prevents it from damaging
  • Close-range correction feature provides high-quality performance while taking close-up snaps

CONS

  • Only 1 aspherical lens
  • One-year warranty
  • Fixed focal length; thus, you cannot zoom it

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers are having fun using Nikon AF DX NIKKOR. They find its results to be very impressive. They have written that anyone can buy this lens without even thinking about it. It is a great Nikon fisheye lens. Numerous reviews call is a great lens for taking cool photographs.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The reason for listing this lens in our must-have list is that it is the first-ever introduced fisheye lens. You will never regret buying it. It has a very beautiful (flower-type) built-in hood, which can protect the lens from damage. Plus, it has a very fast autofocus that will help you in taking bright pictures.

Who Will Use This Most

Fisheye lenses are famous for their wide-angle shooting. The same thing applies to this one. You can use it to take panoramic and hemispheric snapshots. This lens is also useful for meteorological photography. It is the perfect pick for professional photographers. You can gift it to people who love to take pictures from different angles.

Bottom Line

To put it simply, the Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED is helpful for taking photographs of circular objects. It provides high-quality and very sharp photographs. Meteorological photographers can use it as well. Its results will never disappoint you.

Nikon AF DX NIKKOR 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Fixed Zoom...
  • Lens not zoomable
  • DX-Nikkor reduces the diameter of the lens' image circle, allowing a range of lenses with practical...
  • DX-Nikkor lenses offer compact and lightweight design, fast aperture and fast autofocus via NIKON's...

Best Nikon D5200 Portrait Lens: Nikon AFS NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Fixed Lens with Auto...

PROS

  • Small form factor and low in weight
  • Silent wave motor allows precise, fast, and quiet autofocus
  • Produces sharp and bright pictures at almost every aperture
  • F/1.8 helps in taking great pictures in places where light is low
  • Super-integrated coating helps in preventing reflection and shadows

CONS

  • Bokeh is very poor and less durable
  • Exterior is made up of cheap material
  • Purple fringing and lens aberrations at times

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers rave that they only got amazing snaps using Nikon AFS NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. They further state that it works like magic and wonders. It is an astounding portrait lens with great bokeh. It is a phenomenal lens and an unbeatable prime lens. According to them, it is a must-have tool if you love taking photographs.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Nikon AFS NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is famous for its wonders of portrait photography. The pixels, contrast, and sharpness are beyond incredible. It prevents any type of reflection or shadow that might ruin the picture quality. Due to its low weight, you can simply carry it anywhere. It also has very fast autofocus, which will help you in focusing on tiny objects.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens is a must-have for photographers who are involved in bridal or advertisement shoots. They will get the perfect portrait picture every time. The general public can also use it for capturing and making memories. It is very easy to use, so teenagers and beginners can use it without any difficulty.

Bottom Line

The results of this lens are amazing compared to its price. Every single penny is worth it. You can use it for different purposes without any difficulty. It creates amazing and outstanding photographs in very little light. You can make high-quality videos using it as well. All in all, it produces great results at a low price.

Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Fixed Lens with Auto...
  • Fast aperture medium telephoto lens
  • Internal focus, focal length: 85 millimeter, minimum focus range: 0.80 meter
  • Silent wave motor (SWM). Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm opening)

Comparison of the Best Lenses For Nikon D5200

Are All Lenses The Same?

No, not all lenses are the same. Although they have the same uses and purposes, they are quite dissimilar from each other. Their features, specifications, pros, and cons are all quite different.

For instance, some are applicable for DX sensors only, while some work for DX and FX sensors both. Similarly, the possible close focus, filter size, and weight also differ from brand to brand and from model to model.  

Beautiful details of Nikon lenses

Source

In addition to that, some camera lenses have a larger focal length and a greater aperture. Likewise, the maximum reproduction ratio and diaphragm blades also differ. Some lenses come with additional features such as image stabilization. Another great difference is the focus; while some come with autofocus, others come with manual focus.

Thus, lenses are not the same at all.

What Size of Lens Do I Need?

Choosing the right size of the lens is very important. The size helps in depicting its purpose. You need to be careful about the size because each lens is not suitable for every use. Let’s discuss the different sizes, along with their uses.

Wide-angle lenses are mostly used these days, which can cover a distance of 8mm to 35mm. You can use this to capture landscape, architecture, group shots, nature, indoors, and the view of the sky. Standard lenses are present in every house. It can shoot an object at a 35mm to 85mm distance. These are helpful for weddings, traveling, and food shoots. A telephoto lens can take snaps of distant objects, and a macro lens is useful for converting large objects into real-life size. It can also capture small objects like insects.

Characteristics of Our Favorite Nikon D5200 Lenses

Nikon lenses are among the most famous lenses available on the market. You can use them for several purposes. You need to focus on the key characteristics before buying one:

Lenses Type

Nikon offers a variety of lenses like wide-angle, macro, telephoto, standard, zoom, and prime lenses. All of these have different purposes. Zoom lenses allow you to change the focal length, while prime lenses do not allow you to change the focal length. Each one provides excellent and mesmerizing photographs.

Top view of Nikon Camera + Lens

Source

Correcting the Color Refraction

Colors play an important role in photography. You need to be very careful about the vibrancy, sharpness, brightness, and contrast of the colors. These things depend upon light availability. Correcting the color refraction is a very difficult task for professional photographers.

Color refraction is the bending of light in different directions. This will cause the color to shift at the edges of the photograph.

Low Light Photography

Shooting in lowlight conditions is an amazing talent. But it is not an easy task. Nikon lenses will solve this problem for you. You can use them in places where very little light is present. They will produce sharp, bright, vibrant, and amazing pictures. You can shoot in such places without any stress.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying a Lens?

You can’t go to a shop and buy a lens without knowing what you actually need. You need to understand some specifications and features before buying any camera lens. Not every model will fulfill your requirements. To help make the right pick, make sure to check for the following aspects:

Price

One of the most important factors is the price of the lens. People assume that expensive things have better quality than the cheaper ones. However, this is not always the case. It’s entirely possible to buy the best quality lens at a low rate. So never ignore lenses that are available at a low price. They might even be better than expensive lenses!

Type of Photography

You need to know for which purpose you are buying a lens. Each lens has its usage. You can’t use just one for capturing everything. There are many types available on the market, like macro, fisheye, portrait, telephoto, and fixed focal length lens. You should know the purpose of each lens and the reason for which you are buying it.

Aperture of the Lens

This word ‘aperture’ really matters in the photography field. It can make your picture look ugly or pretty. You need to be very careful regarding it. Aperture allows the light to enter the camera lens. A larger aperture means more light will enter and vice versa. So, choose an aperture keeping in mind your purpose of photography.

Conclusion

If you love capturing photographs, then you must buy a perfect lens for your camera. It should contain all of the basic and outstanding features. It should also be able to provide you with eye-catching and amazing results. Our list contains only the top options available, therefore making it easy for you to buy the perfect lens for your Nikon D5200!