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Nikon 2197 AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Zoom Lens — main product image
Nikon 2197 AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Zoom Lens
Nikon 2197 AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Zoom Lens
Nikon 2197 AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Zoom Lens
Nikon

Nikon 2197 AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Zoom Lens

★★★★★4.6 (5416 reviews)

Reach farther with Nikon's 5.5x VR-stabilized telephoto zoom, engineered for sharp handheld shots from 55mm to 300mm.

$448.99*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 15, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR offers DX-format DSLR shooters an affordable way to reach distant subjects without investing in heavy, expensive professional telephoto glass. Its 5.5x zoom range covers everything from mid-range portraits to distant wildlife and sports, making it a practical companion for travel and outdoor photography. The built-in VR II image stabilization system, complete with tripod detection mode, significantly reduces the impact of camera shake — a critical advantage when shooting handheld at 300mm, where the equivalent field of view on a DX sensor is roughly 450mm in full-frame terms.

Optically, Nikon addresses common telephoto issues with two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements that minimize color fringing and a High Refractive Index (HRI) element that helps maintain sharpness while keeping the lens relatively compact and lightweight. The Silent Wave Motor delivers autofocus that is both fast and nearly silent, an appreciated feature for video shooters and anyone working in quiet settings. While this lens is not built for professional sports or low-light event work — its variable aperture and lack of weather sealing see to that — it delivers genuinely impressive image quality for its class, particularly in the 55-200mm portion of its range, and represents one of the best value propositions in Nikon's DX telephoto lineup.

Key Features

5.5x Telephoto Zoom lens,Filter Thread: 58 mm

Nikon VR II Image Stabilization; Tripod Detection Mode, Focal Length Range : 55 -300 mm, Minimum Focus Distance : 4.6 ft.( 1.4 m)

HRI (High Refractive Index) Lens Element

2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements.Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)

Lens Cap:Snap-on

5.5x Telephoto Zoom lens, Filter Thread: 58 mm [45^Nikon VR II Image Stabilization; Tripod Detection Mode [46^HRI (High Refractive Index) Lens Element [47^2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements [48^Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) [49

Specifications

Focal Length
55-300mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5-5.6
Lens Mount
Nikon F (DX)
Image Stabilization
VR II with Tripod Detection
Optical Elements
2 ED Elements, 1 HRI Element
Autofocus Motor
Silent Wave Motor (SWM)
Filter Thread
58mm
Minimum Focus Distance
4.6 ft (1.4 m)
Lens Cap
Snap-on

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • The 55-300mm range provides versatile telephoto reach without needing to swap lenses.
  • VR II image stabilization with tripod detection helps deliver sharp handheld shots at long focal lengths.
  • Silent Wave Motor enables fast, quiet autofocus that won't disrupt video recording or quiet environments.
  • Two Extra-low Dispersion elements and an HRI element reduce chromatic aberration for cleaner image quality.
  • The 58mm filter thread is a common, affordable size for UV and polarizing filters.

👎 Cons

  • The variable f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture limits performance in low-light situations, especially at the longer end.
  • At 4.6 feet, the minimum focus distance is relatively long, ruling out close-up subjects.
  • DX-format only — using it on full-frame Nikon bodies results in a significant crop.
  • The lens can feel slightly slow to autofocus at the extreme 300mm end compared to professional-grade telephoto lenses.
  • No weather sealing, so extra care is needed when shooting in rain or dusty conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

This lens uses the Nikon F mount and is designed for Nikon DX-format DSLR cameras. It will also mount on FX-format bodies but will produce a cropped image.
Yes. Nikon's VR II system compensates for camera shake, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible — particularly helpful at the 300mm end where even small movements are magnified.
It can capture distant subjects effectively thanks to the 300mm reach, though its variable f/4.5-5.6 aperture means it performs best in good lighting conditions rather than low-light action scenarios.
It accepts standard 58mm threaded filters.
The minimum focus distance is 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), so it is not designed for close-up or macro work.

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