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Are you looking to expand your photography toolkit and wondering which lens to choose? Look no further! In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into the world of the popular Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 and Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3.
As a photographer, you may find yourself juggling between various photography genres, from enchanting landscapes and architectural marvels to capturing the thrill of sports and the beauty of wildlife. Having the right lens for the job can make all the difference in your creative journey.
The 18-140mm lens boasts a versatile focal range, making it a go-to choice for capturing a wide variety of subjects, while the 70-300mm lens excels in telephoto photography, bringing distant subjects up close and personal. By exploring the strengths and weaknesses of these two lenses, we’ll help you make an informed decision tailored to your photography needs, ultimately enhancing your artistic expression.
So, buckle up as we embark on this exciting journey, comparing these two Nikon lenses in terms of build quality, focusing performance, optical stabilization, sharpness, bokeh quality, and more.
By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to make the perfect choice for your photography toolkit, empowering you to capture stunning images that truly stand out.
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 has a maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6, a variable aperture type, a focal range of 18-140mm, and a 7.8x zoom ratio. Its wider focal range makes it a versatile lens suitable for various photography genres such as landscapes, architecture, and street photography.
The larger maximum aperture allows for better low light performance and a shallower depth of field, which can be useful for isolating subjects.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a maximum aperture of f/4.5-6.3, a variable aperture type, a focal range of 70-300mm, and a 4.3x zoom ratio. This lens is more suited for telephoto photography, such as sports, wildlife, and distant subjects.
Both lenses have their strengths and weaknesses. The 18-140mm lens offers more versatility and is better suited for wide-angle photography, while the 70-300mm lens is ideal for telephoto photography.
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 has a diameter of 78mm and a length of 97mm, making it relatively compact and lightweight at 490 grams. This size and weight combination makes it more portable, easier to handle, and less conspicuous, which is beneficial for travel and street photography. However, the lens uses an extending rotary zoom method, meaning its physical size changes when zooming in or out, potentially making it more challenging to handle and less weather-sealed.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a diameter of 72mm and a length of 125mm, making it slightly longer but also slimmer and lighter at 415 grams. Its lighter weight and slim profile make it easier to carry around, but it also uses an extending rotary zoom method, which could impact handling and weather sealing.
Both lenses have their advantages and drawbacks in terms of size, weight, and zoom method. The 18-140mm lens offers more versatility. In terms of portability and handling, the 70-300mm lens is lighter, which might be an advantage for some photographers.
Lens Mount and Barrel
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 features a metal lens mount, which is typically more durable and resistant to wear and tear compared to plastic mounts. However, this lens lacks weather sealing, making it less resistant to moisture and dust.
The lens barrel is primarily constructed of polycarbonate plastic, with a comfortable textured rubber grip on the zoom ring and a ridged rubber grip on the manual focus ring. The inner barrel extends smoothly by just over 50mm when zooming, and the rear group of elements moves in and out by around 3cm as the focal length changes.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a plastic lens mount. Although less durable than metal mounts, it fits precisely with no play once attached to the camera. The lens barrel is made of polycarbonate and finished in black with gold accents, giving it a stylish appearance. The lens extends an additional 3 inches when set to the 300mm position, offering a significant change in size during use.
When comparing these two lenses, the 18-140mm lens offers a more durable metal mount, while the 70-300mm lens provides a stylish finish and lighter plastic construction. The choice between the two lens mounts and barrels ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If durability and a sturdy build are your priority, the 18-140mm lens may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a more lightweight and stylish design, the 70-300mm lens may be more suitable for your needs.
Weather Sealing
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lacks weather sealing, making it vulnerable to dust, moisture, and harsh weather conditions. There is no gasket at the lens mount, no internal seals at the rings, switches, or front of the barrel, and no fluorine coating on the front element. This means that the lens is not suitable for use in challenging environments or situations where there is a high amount of moisture and dust.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 also does not have any weather sealing. Like the 18-140mm lens, there is no gasket at the lens mount, no internal seals at the rings, switches, or front of the barrel, and no fluorine coating on the front element. This makes the lens equally vulnerable to dust, moisture, and harsh weather conditions.
Both lenses lack the protection that weather sealing provides, making them less suitable for use in adverse conditions. If you frequently shoot in harsh environments or unpredictable weather, it may be worth considering other lenses that offer weather sealing to protect your investment and ensure optimal performance.
Rings
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 features a prominent zoom ring near the front of the lens, wrapped in a thick, textured rubber grip band for enhanced ergonomics. Its focusing ring, situated behind the zoom ring, is narrower but also boasts a ridged rubber grip band.
This lens offers a well-damped zoom ring with pleasing resistance, and a focusing ring with a long throw for finer control over focus adjustments. However, it lacks tactile feedback, windowed distance scale, or depth-of-field indicators. Additionally, there’s no extension lock switch on the zoom ring.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a big zoom ring occupying most of the lens, with a relatively thin focus ring at the front of the outer barrel. Marked focal lengths (70mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm, and 300mm) on the zoom ring aid in precise adjustments, while the focus ring, made of bare plastic with a ridged texture, has a narrow rotation.
The 70-300mm lens lacks zoom creep or drift and has a slightly rough, yet appropriately damped zoom ring. Its manual focus experience is less than ideal due to the fly-by-wire system, but its rotation is silky smooth. Like the 18-140mm lens, it also lacks a windowed distance scale or depth-of-field indicator but offers a constant manual override option for focus.
In conclusion, the 18-140mm lens provides a better grip and more precise focusing control, while the 70-300mm lens has smoother rotation and is marked with focal lengths for better accuracy. If ergonomics and precise focusing are your priorities, the 18-140mm lens is the superior choice. However, if you value smooth rotation and a marked zoom ring for easy focal length adjustments, the 70-300mm lens would be a better fit.
Switches/Buttons
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 features two control switches on its left side, providing quick access to essential functions. The first switch allows users to enable or disable autofocus (A or M), and the second switch toggles vibration reduction (ON or OFF). The lens’s aperture is adjusted using a mechanical lever, offering tactile control for photographers who prefer it.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 does not have any mechanical switches for autofocus/manual focus (AF/MF) or vibration reduction (VR). However, it offers a constant manual override option for focus, which is a valuable feature for photographers who need to fine-tune their focus quickly. The absence of an AF/MF switch may not be a significant issue, as the camera body determines the focus mode. There are no other switches or buttons on the lens, making it a more minimalistic option.
In conclusion, the 18-140mm lens offers a superior control scheme with its dedicated switches for autofocus and vibration reduction, providing a more tactile and customizable experience. The 70-300mm lens, while lacking these switches, still offers a constant manual override option for focus. If you prefer a lens with more accessible control options, the 18-140mm would be the better choice. However, if you don’t mind relying on your camera body for focus mode control and prefer a simpler design, the 70-300mm lens might be the right option for you.
Filter Thread
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 features a 67mm wide metal filter thread, which accepts 67mm diameter attachments. The filter thread does not rotate during focus or zoom operations, making it compatible with filters such as graduated neutral density filters and polarizers. Its front element is relatively flat, sitting just behind the filter ring, and there is a small indicator mark on the outer edge of the filter ring for attaching the optional bayonet-style lens hood.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has a 58mm filter thread size, made of good quality plastics. Similar to the 18-140mm lens, the filter thread does not rotate when focusing, making it easy to use with filters.
Comparing the two lenses, the 18-140mm lens has a larger filter thread size and is made of metal, offering increased durability and compatibility with a wider range of filters. The 70-300mm lens, with its smaller filter thread size and plastic construction, provides a more lightweight and affordable option.
Lens Hood
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 offers an optional petal-shaped lens hood, which is not included in the package and must be purchased separately. The lens hood is made of plastic, features a bayonet mount, and can be reversed for storage. It has an ergonomic bevel and can be smoothly rotated. The primary functions of this lens hood are to prevent lens flare and protect the front element of the lens from impacts.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 also requires a separate purchase for its lens hood, which is not included in the package. This lens hood is designated as the HB-77 hood, featuring a bayonet fitting that surrounds the 58mm front filter thread.
In conclusion, both lens hoods serve a similar purpose, providing protection against flare and potential impacts to the front element of the lens. However, the 18-140mm lens hood boasts an ergonomic design, allowing for a smooth rotation, while the 70-300mm lens hood is specifically designed to fit the 58mm front filter thread.
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 boasts an ultrasonic Silent Wave Motor, ensuring the autofocus operation is fast, quiet, and almost silent. This lens works well in single-servo autofocus and continuous autofocus modes. The focus ring enables users to manually adjust the focus, resulting in a seamless and effortless focusing process.
The lens’ design includes internal focusing, ensuring that the length of the lens remains constant and the front element does not rotate while focusing. However, the lens does exhibit focus breathing, causing the image to get smaller as the focus gets closer, especially at the long end of the zoom range.
Unlike the previously mentioned lens, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 boasts a dependable and noiseless autofocus system that can be instantly overridden with manual focus adjustment. The autofocus accuracy remains impressive even at the longest focal length, producing sharp images in low-light conditions.
The initial autofocus acquisition is notably fast, and the manual focus action is smooth. Like the 18-140mm lens, the 70-300mm lens also has an internally focusing design, meaning the length of the lens remains constant regardless of the focus and zoom settings.
In conclusion, both lenses offer excellent focusing performance, each with their unique strengths. The 18-140mm lens provides a fast and quiet autofocus operation, while the 70-300mm lens boasts impressive accuracy and fast autofocus acquisition, even at the longest focal length. Your choice of lens will depend on your photography needs and priorities. If you require a more versatile lens with a quiet autofocus system, the 18-140mm lens may be the better choice. However, if capturing sharp images in low-light conditions and having a fast autofocus acquisition are more important to you, the 70-300mm lens might be the superior option.
Optical Stabilization
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 is equipped with Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, which compensates for hand-held shake up to 4 stops. The stabilization slider on the lens has two positions: on and off. The built-in VR stabilization is efficient and enables photographers to shoot hand-held at slow shutter speeds, such as 1/15 second at the 140mm focal length, resulting in roughly half of the shots taken being sharp.
On the other hand, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction technology, which effectively offers up to 4 stops of correction. With this feature, users can achieve consistently sharp results at 300mm, even when using slow shutter speeds of up to 1/15-second.
The VR system enhances the camera’s low-light capabilities, enabling you to shoot at slower shutter speeds in dim lighting. There is no VR switch on the lens barrel; instead, it is controlled through the camera menu. The lens has only one version with VR and no other modes of stabilization.
In conclusion, both lenses are equipped with Nikon’s effective VR technology, providing up to 4 stops of correction for camera shake. However, the 70-300mm lens’s VR system is more consistently effective, particularly at the longer focal lengths, making it the superior choice for optical stabilization. This makes the 70-300mm lens a better option for photographers who often shoot in low-light conditions or require more stability for hand-held shots at longer focal lengths.
1 ED (extra-low dispersion) glass element, 1 aspherical lens element
1 ED
Diaphragm Blades
7
7
Circular Aperture
No
No
Aberration
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 exhibits chromatic aberration, which is more noticeable in this model than in previous Nikon offerings. Although there may be slight dark blue fringing around high contrast areas in the corners of test images, it is typically not considered objectionable. The lens performs excellently in terms of coma, with no evidence of smeared blobs around bright points of light, even in the corners of the image.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 offers good chromatic aberration control, especially at the center of the frame, thanks to the use of ED glass elements. At shorter focal lengths, lateral chromatic aberration may only be minimally visible in the corners, but it tends to become more noticeable across the frame between the 200mm and 300mm range.
Nevertheless, it is not severe and can be easily corrected in post-processing software. The lens also exhibits good coma and spherical aberration control, with sharpness being excellent right from the widest aperture and peaking consistently between f/8 and f/11, even at 300mm.
In conclusion, while both lenses display chromatic aberration to some degree, the 70-300mm lens has better overall control, particularly at the center of the frame. Additionally, the 70-300mm lens demonstrates good coma and spherical aberration control, resulting in consistently sharp images across various apertures.
Sharpness
Regarding sharpness performance, the Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 performs well, with center sharpness being particularly good at wider apertures and further improving upon stopping down to f/5.6 and beyond. That being said, corner sharpness may be slightly soft, especially at wider angles, but stopping down to approximately f/8 can lead to a significant improvement.
Optimal sharpness performance varies depending on the focal length of the lens, but typically the best results are achieved at apertures of around f/8 and f/11. However, diffraction may become noticeable at around f/8 and become a more significant issue at smaller apertures of f/16 or beyond.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 boasts impressive sharpness performance across various focal lengths and apertures. Center sharpness is generally exceptional, reaching its peak between f/8 and f/11. Corner sharpness is also very good and can be further improved by stopping down the aperture, with the sharpest results typically achieved between f/11 and f/16.
Wide-open apertures yield good sharpness, which is further enhanced by stopping down. The sharpest apertures are generally within the f/8 to f/16 range, depending on the focal length. Sharpness performance is maintained even when paired with teleconverters, making this lens a solid choice for a range of photography needs.
In conclusion, both lenses offer good sharpness performance, but the 70-300mm lens has a slight edge with its impressive sharpness across various focal lengths and apertures. Its ability to maintain sharpness when paired with teleconverters further cements its superiority.
Bokeh Quality
The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6, with its 7-blade iris diaphragm, results in bokeh that may be considered somewhat nervous. Assessing bokeh is subjective and can vary from fair to good depending on factors such as focusing distance, focal length, and aperture settings. The most pleasing bokeh can be achieved by stepping back and zooming in to the longest possible focal length while shooting at 140mm f/5.6, resulting in a softer background.
In comparison, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 creates bokeh that is commonly described as smooth and visually appealing, which can be attributed to its 7 rounded diaphragm blade configuration. While the quality of bokeh is subjective, many users find it pleasing and better than what is offered by similar lenses such as the Nikkor 55-300mm. However, it may not be as smooth as that produced by wide aperture lenses.
In conclusion, although bokeh quality might not be the primary concern for wide-angle lenses, it can still play a role in certain types of photography. Between the two lenses, the 70-300mm lens offers superior bokeh quality with its smooth and attractive background blur. This makes it a better choice for photographers who want to add a creative touch and separate their subject from the background in their images.
Flare/Ghosting
Nikon’s Integrated Coating effectively minimizes flare and ghosting in most situations with the Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6. However, when shooting directly into strong light sources like the sun, some ghosting may still occur.
Attaching the optional petal-shaped lens hood (HB-32) can further decrease the likelihood of experiencing flare and ghosting. It is worth noting that the occurrence of ghosting can be somewhat controlled, with fewer instances of ghosting appearing when using a fixed lens and more instances occurring when using an older single-coated zoom lens.
In comparison, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 exhibits excellent flare control, even without the optional hood. There is minimal loss of micro-contrast even when shooting directly into the sun, and ghosting is not a significant concern.
If excessive flare is noticed while using a filter, it is recommended to remove the filter to determine if it is the cause of the flare. A low-quality filter may often be the culprit. In general, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 provides excellent resistance to both flare and ghosting, making it ideal for use in bright or backlit environments.
In conclusion, both lenses perform well in terms of flare and ghosting control. However, the 70-300mm lens offers superior performance in this aspect, with very good flare control even without the optional hood and minimal ghosting issues. This makes it an excellent choice for photographers who frequently shoot in bright or backlit conditions.
Vignetting
When in-camera correction is disabled, the Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 shows noticeable vignetting at different focal lengths, particularly towards the ends of the zoom range. Vignetting tends to be more pronounced towards the edges of the frame than in the center. To reduce vignetting, stopping down the aperture to f/5.6 or f/8 can help to brighten up the corners of the frame.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 demonstrates visible vignetting, particularly when shooting at wider focal lengths and larger apertures. However, for a low-cost telephoto lens, the amount of vignetting is not too severe and can be easily rectified with post-processing software. At narrower apertures, such as f/8 or higher, the vignetting disappears entirely.
In conclusion, both lenses exhibit vignetting to some extent, but the 70-300mm lens performs slightly better in this regard. The vignetting in the 70-300mm lens is less prominent and can be completely eliminated by shooting at narrower apertures.
Distortion
Distortion is noticeable in the Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6, especially at wider focal lengths. At 18mm, barrel distortion is present, while pincushion distortion is evident from 35mm to 140mm. Fortunately, in-camera distortion correction is an option, and post-processing software can also correct it. Some users recommend turning on the Auto Distortion Correction feature found in the camera’s menu to address this issue.
In contrast, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 has modest distortion for a zoom lens, with -0.674% barrel distortion at 70mm and pincushion distortion readings of +1.36% at 135mm, +1.43% at 200mm, and +1.15% at 300mm.
At shorter focal lengths, distortion is well-controlled with the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 and is generally not very noticeable in real-world subjects at any focal length. The Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 may produce slight inward curves in straight lines due to pincushion distortion, but this can typically be corrected with software. While the lens does produce some distortion, it is well-managed and can be corrected if required.
In conclusion, the 70-300mm lens has superior distortion control compared to the 18-140mm lens. While both lenses exhibit some distortion, the 70-300mm lens manages to keep it modest and less visible in real-world scenarios. This makes the 70-300mm lens a better choice for photographers who are more concerned about minimizing distortion in their images.
Final Verdict
The primary difference between the two lenses is their focal lengths. The Nikon DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6, with its wider focal range, is a versatile choice suitable for various photography genres, such as landscapes, architecture, and street photography. It offers better low light performance and shallower depth of field due to its larger maximum aperture.
Conversely, the Nikon DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 is more suited for telephoto photography, including sports, wildlife, and distant subjects. This lens is lighter and more portable, with an impressive autofocus acquisition and superior optical stabilization, especially at longer focal lengths.
While both lenses have their strengths and weaknesses, your choice ultimately depends on your photography needs and priorities. If you require a versatile and durable lens for wide-angle photography and mid-telephoto photography, the 18-140mm lens is the better choice. However, if you frequently engage in telephoto photography and value accuracy, sharpness, and optical stabilization, the 70-300mm lens is the superior option.
In conclusion, both the 18-140mm and 70-300mm lenses have their merits, but the best choice depends on your specific photography requirements. Consider the focal length, build quality, focusing performance, optical stabilization, sharpness, bokeh quality, and distortion control when making your decision.
Wei was a cruise photographer who worked at Disney Cruise Line. He is a lucky traveler who has been to more than 20 countries with his camera while working on an around-the-world cruise. Photography has changed his view of the world forever. Now he wants more people to benefit from photography through his blog.
