Best Lenses for the Nikon D3300
Launched in early 2014, the Nikon D3300 has replaced the D3200 at the start of the Nikon DSLR line of products, positioning itself as the beginner camera of choice for amateur and beginner photographers. While offering a low budget option, the Nikon D3300 incorporates some of the latest and best technologies from Nikon, including the 24 MP APS-C sensors, quality image processor and other characteristics.
The Nikon D3300 uses the DX lenses from both Nikon and other manufacturers which produce lenses for Nikon. While the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR II kit lens is a good starting choice, there are far better choices. If you are in the market for a new lens for your camera, here are the best lenses for Nikon D3300, depending on their type.
Best Lenses for Nikon D3300 – Overview
| Image | Lens | Focal Range | Max. Aperture | Type | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II | 18-200mm | f/3.5-5.6 | All-in-one |  Read Review |
 | Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX | 18-300mm | f/3.5-5.6 | All-in-one | Read Review |
 | Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200MM f/4-5.6G ED VR II | 55-200mm | f/4-5.6 | Telephoto | Read Review |
 | Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR | 70-300mm | f/4.5-5.6 | Telephoto | Read Review |
 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM | 10-20mm | f/4-5.6 | Wide-angle | Read Review |
 | Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX | 10-24mm | f/3.5-4.5 | Wide-angle | Read Review |
 | Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX | 35mm | f/1.8 | Portrait | Read Review |
 | Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR FX | 50mm | f/1.8 | Portrait | Read Review |
 | Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro | 85mm | f/3.5 | Macro | Read Review |
Best ‘All in One’ Lenses (Standard Zoom)
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II
Probably the best All Around lens for a beginner class Nikon camera, the Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II offers the best focal range for any type of photography, from landscapes to portraits to wildlife. This is also its strongest point, but it also offers some of the best Nikon lens technologies, as the Vibration Reduction II technology, extremely important when used at the telephoto end or the silent wave motor which makes focusing silent and smooth.
These and other details like extra low dispersion elements and super integrated coating, make this one of the best lenses for the Nikon D3300. The small disadvantage is the high relative aperture which makes using the lens in low light a little challenging.
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX
For people looking for the ultimate zoom range for a Nikon DX camera, the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S is definitely the best choice. Excellent for all types of photography as a go-to lens, this also incorporates the best technologies from Nikon, as the VR II image stabilization, SWM silent focus capability, low dispersion glass, super integrated coating and more.
As expected though, the 300mm zoom end is equivalent to 450mm on a full-frame sensor, so a tripod is important for sharp images. Another advantage of this ‘all in one’ lens is the weight and build quality, making it a good choice for photographers who only need one lens.
Best Telephoto Lenses
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200MM f/4-5.6G ED VR II
An excellent addition for people who already own the standard 18-55mm kit lens, the Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VRII DX lens is one of the favorite lenses for Nikon crop sensor cameras. It offers the advantage of medium to long zoom lens in a very compact and lightweight package.
From portraits to action and wildlife, this Nikon DX lens also incorporates the most modern technologies, including second generation vibration reduction for up to 4 stops gain, the best quality glass for sharp and vibrant images and other characteristics. The only minor downside comes from the high minimum f-number, meaning good light is important.
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR
Among the best lenses for Nikon D3300, the Nikon 70-300mm zoom lens offers the longest zoom capability, excellent for sports and wildlife, but also portrait shots. A great addition to your Nikon lens gear, it offers the vibration reduction feature, which is crucial for long telephoto lenses, especially in low light conditions.
On top of this, the best glass coating and low dispersion technology is incorporated, reducing chromatic aberrations and offering sharp, beautiful images. One small mention is that this is a pretty heavy lens, weighting 1.64 pounds.
Best Wide Angle Lenses
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Wide angle lenses have a lot of purposes in photography and they became extremely popular for architecture and landscape photographers. One of the best choices for the Nikon D3300 is the Sigma 10-20mm lens, which offers probably the best performance related to price, also incorporating several useful features.
The wide angle lens from Sigma offers the HSM focusing motor that makes auto-focus very silent and smooth, a strong build quality and the benefit of the 10mm focal that allows for extremely wide photographs. One minor downside comes from the visible distortion at its widest end, but given the low price, it makes for a very dependable choice.
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX
The alternative wide angle DX lens from Nikon is the 10-24mm, which turns out to be an outstanding option for both architecture and landscape shots at the widest, but also regular images towards the 24mm end.
It features the regular quality characteristics from Nikon, like the strong build quality, the silent wave motor, two extra low dispersion glass elements and three aspherical lens elements, super integrated coating and internal focusing. These offer excellent image quality, earning the right to be included in this overview of the best Nikon D3300 lenses. As for most ultra wide DX lenses, the images taken at 10-14mm tend to have soft corners and some vignetting, but nothing troublesome.
Best Portrait Lenses (Fast Primes)
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX
Prime lenses are the definitely the tool of choice for portrait photographers and one of the best for DX Nikon DSLRs is the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G, an extremely light and bright lens, an excellent lens offering cool features at a low price.
Apart from the main advantage of having a 1.8 maximum aperture that allows it to be used in low light conditions, the lens also has the best features of modern Nikon lenses, like the SWM for silent auto-focus or super integrated coating. The minor downsides come when used at f/1.8, when the contrast can become a bit soft.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR FX
Although optimized for full-frame cameras, the new version of the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G FX lens offers an equally great performance on DX cameras, including the Nikon D3300.
Featuring the best characteristics of Nikon professional lenses, like the silent auto-focus system, an optical aspherical glass element and more. It produces excellent images, with sharp details even at f/1.8 and minimal chromatic aberrations, while also producing beautiful bokeh. Although offering great quality, the price is still moderate, making it one of the best lenses for Nikon D3300.
Best Macro Lens
Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro
The Nikon 85mm f/3.5G DX is a truly superb lens and, although designed as macro lens, it offers stunning results for portrait photography. The relative high price is well worth, as the lens creates amazing macro images, with 1:1 reproduction ration and a close focusing distance.
On top of these features, this lens also offers the professional characteristics of a Nikon lens, including vibration reduction, low-dispersion glass element, silent wave motor, super integrated coating and more. If provides excellent image and build quality, but all of these advantages come at a price.
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