Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR Review

July 24, 2015 | Mark Goldstein | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star

Sharpness at 80mm

The sharpness tests for this review were carried out using a real-world subject rather than a test chart. The AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens was attached to a Nikon D5500 body, which in turn was mounted on a sturdy tripod. Exposure Delay Mode was activated. Slight tonal changes are due to slight changes in natural light during the session.

The full frame at 80mmThe full frame at 80mm

The lens is a little soft wide open in the centre, but sharpness is very good from f/5.6 through to f/11, with f/16 and f/22 slightly worse due to diffraction. The edges aren't quite so good, with the best results obtained from f/8 to f/11.

Aperture Centre Crop Edge Crop
f/4 f4.jpg f4.jpg
f/5.6 f5_6.jpg f5_6.jpg
f/8 f8.jpg f8.jpg
f/11 f11.jpg f11.jpg
f/16 f16.jpg f16.jpg`
f/22 f22.jpg f22.jpg`
f/32 f32.jpg f32.jpg`