Do you want to know what is the best lens for Nikon D5500 Camera in 2023?

You must be crazy if you don’t agree when I say:

Choosing the best Nikon D5500 lenses is not an easy task.

Best lenses for Nikon D5500 preview

There are a significant number of choices to choose from and not enough valuable pieces of information about lenses themselves.

Here’s the thing:

If you want to know which Nikon D5500 lenses you should buy and which ones you should avoid, you are in the right place.

In this article, we will answer all these questions for you and some more, so keep reading to find the perfect Nikon D5500 Lens.

However:

Before we answer your questions, we need to say a few words about the D5500 camera itself.

What makes Nikon D5500 unique?

At this very moment,Β Nikon D5500Β stands asΒ one of the best, if notΒ the best, SLRs on the market, all thanks to a string of fresh features that exceed the technical standards of most models we’ve seen so far.

Also, read our other buying guidesΒ if you have aΒ specific camera, such asΒ Best Lenses for Nikon D7200Β orΒ 6 Best Lenses for Nikon D3300.

The product’s super lightweight of mere 14.2 ounces, a redesigned body, and a fully-operational touchscreen on the rear LCD are just some of the changes this puppy brings to the table.
Nikon D5500 up view

It is widely known within camera enthusiasts’ circles that no matter how good a set of properties a stock camera has, it simply cannot unveil its full potential unless you equip them with a powerful lens.

To discuss this further and hopefully help you decide on your own set, we’ve assembled a list of lenses that would fit and work optimally for the Nikon D5500.

Before we delve into top Nikon D5500 lenses, however, a couple of words on the various types of lenses and how they get produced.

Dig in!

Best All-in-one Lenses for Travelling and Everyday photography

An all-in-one lens is best when you can choose only one lens.

While it won’t have the sharpness of the primes lens or cool looking curves of Primes, it will do an excellent task in any photography.

They have the most extended working margin and are a substitute for every lens, from macro to telephoto. Photographers who travel a lot but can only carry one or two lenses are the best nominees for the all-in-one type.

Besides risking getting dust in your camera, switching lenses is an exhausting task that takes your precious time.

This is where the all-in-one lens can come in handy, and we got just the right lens for your favorite Nikon D5500 Camera.

Best All-in-one
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G Lens
4.5
$696.95

This all-in-one lens from Nikon is known for its versatility, good autofocus and providing you with excellent results in almost any photographic situtation.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 07:37 pm GMT

By far, the best property of this lens is its incredible versatility, allowing you to cover a vast range of different focal lengths without ever changing your optics.

18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G delivers good performance even in low light situations.

Compared to the older versions of this model, this one offers allΒ the excellent characteristics of its predecessors while being muchΒ lighterΒ andΒ cheaper.

For example:

It retains a maximum magnification of x32, a minimum focus distance of 1.6 ft, and an angle of view from 76 to 520 degrees.

The only downside can be the casual softness or the autofocus acting up then and again.

Pros

  • Minimal and light-weight
  • It is very convenient
  • Fast autofocus
  • Macro focusing even at 200mm

Cons

  • Poor vignetting at close to 18mm
  • It needs to be locked

Best All-in-one
Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G Lens
$649.95 $145.00

This is one of the most popular Nikon lenses made from durable plastic, it includes a Super Integrated Coating and shots sharp images.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 10:06 pm GMT

This bulky all-in-one lens is equipped with specialized vibration reduction technology, enabling you to create high-quality, sharp images no matter the focal length you shoot.

Additionally, its sturdy build and increased weight (compared with some other Nikon lenses) ensure that you always take blur-free sharp photos.

In our humble opinion, this lens ranks among the sharpest lens for Nikon D5500.

18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G has top-notch quality and great zoom.

Its limited zoom range, however, wouldn’t necessarily prove the best solution if you plan to take some wildlife or distant scenery photos.

If you need a clear lens for this purpose, we propose you consider the 300 mm version described above or read about the lenses below.

Pros

  • Focus is fast and accurate
  • Zoom range covers everything
  • Image quality is excellent
  • Compact for its range

Cons

  • Weight can be an issue
  • Creates shadow while using flash

Best Telephoto
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens
3.5
$549.00 $499.95

This is an all-inclusive lens from Sigma that manages to find its audience by providing with good quality and high image sharpness.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 06:29 pm GMT

If you’re a bit tight on your budget and require an all-inclusive versatile lens, this 18-250 mm solution from Sigma may be a perfect choice.

It does come with certain technical shortcomings, but it is safe to say that you won’t regret getting yourself one of these Sigma lenses.

Versatile solution for photographers who are on budget.

In comparison to the Nikon’s lenses, these tend to have problems with the pronounced softness in the corners, and with the less durable barrel. (the lower quality materials used in its build are to blame)

Nevertheless:

Thanks to itsΒ decreased weight this lens still manages to find its audience among theΒ optics connoisseurs.

Pros

  • Solid feel, including the zoom-lock
  • Quick AF, HSM is great
  • MinimalΒ distortion
  • Colors are great

Cons

  • Zoom feels weird
  • Flare is less than ideal

Best Prime Lenses for Portraits and Modeling

Portrait photography is one of the most popular types since it’s everywhere worldwide.

Prom nights, family gatherings, and weddings are only a few examples where portraits are represented.

The prime lens is what you need on these occasions.

Distinction from zoom or all-in-one lenses is the ability to zoom in or out. Since there are fewer parts, Prime lenses are compact and cheaper.

Sharpness is an important characteristic, and the quality of photos taken with this lens is on the next level. Momentous photographers need at least one Prime in their collection.

Best Wide-Angle
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G Lens
5.0
$696.95 $349.95

This is amazing lens from Nikon that is sharp and it includes vibration reduction but it also offers a great set of properties.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 06:23 pm GMT

This lens boasts some high zoom properties and a fair focal length. It can be a perfect option for your travels as it is versatile enough to cover all your photographic needs, from elaborate wide-angle shots to sophisticated portraits.

Thanks to this versatility and the advanced technology it was built in, it also performs brilliantly in the sharpness department, offering relatively quick and reactive autofocus.

Portrait lens from Nikon with powerful zoom and good focal length.

Also, among its strengths areΒ the significantly reduced distortion andΒ theΒ vibration reduction technology, which can dramatically enhance hand-held photos.

These impressive characteristics, however, seem to put this model at a disadvantage in its price, which is a little bit high even for a Nikon lens.

Overall:

This item easily ranks amongΒ theΒ finest portrait lenses for Nikon D5500.

Pros

  • Useful zoom range
  • ExcellentΒ sharpness
  • Well-balanced and well built
  • Good contrast and color rendition

Cons

  • The lens is heavy
  • Slight vignette effect at the 16mm

Best Prime
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G Lens
4.0
$216.95

This prime lens from Nikon offers superb quality and edge to edge sharpness, it produces great portraits while being budget friendly.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 11:37 pm GMT

This petite Nikon prime lens packs a hefty punch despite its small size, as it possesses some great prime lens features typically seen in some of the bigger models.

It’s relatively sharp and performs well in low-light settings, offering a deep foundation for making high-quality portrait shots.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is sharp prime lens good for traveling.

Also, theΒ autofocusΒ with this model is a real treat, as itsΒ speedΒ andΒ sharpnessΒ make the preparation process for taking a photo a piece of cake.

Its small size contributes to a great extent to itsΒ feather-light propertiesΒ in the weight department, asΒ it weighs only 6.6 ounces.

Pros

  • Excellent wide-open performance
  • Beautiful bokeh for lovely portraits
  • Fast focusing speed
  • Great sharpness even at the low end

Cons

  • Focusing isn’t silent as advertised
  • A small amount of barrel distortion

Best Budget
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G Lens
4.5
$129.00

This is a compact and lightweight AF-S lens that is optimized for DX-format cameras. This prime lens from Nikon will deliver stunning images with high sharpness.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 11:07 pm GMT

A slightly less expensive solution possessing almost all of the essential characteristics of the Nikon’s 50 mm model comes in the shape of this 35 mm lens, which will not let you down during your traveling photo exploits.

Another great example of inexpensive Prime lens with high sharpness.

One of the cheapest options on our list Nikon 35mm model is a very sharp lens with great features.

Autofocus is fast and quiet, and the lens itself works great in low light conditions.

Pros

  • It comes packaged with a carrying case
  • Captures crisp images
  • Great in low-light situations
  • It can fit more in the frame

Cons

  • There is some barrel distortion
  • The bokeh is sluggish

Best Telephoto
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 Lens
4.0
$289.80

This lens from Sigma offers excellent focal length and imprevise range properties that still works amazing even at low light conditions.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 06:34 pm GMT

Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an ideal focal length that will easily cover long distances.

Alternative solution from Sigma for photographers who are shooting portraits.

Even better, these unique range properties do not come at the cost of low light performance, as this lens will perform brilliantlyΒ with every light settingΒ within reach of its focal length.

This model’s only negative aspect is the softness in the corners, particularly noticeable in wide-open environments with little room for elegant settings.

However:

This turns out to be a minor issue if we consider that this 70 mm lens has good performance.

Pros

  • Zoom action is smooth
  • Images are sharp
  • Fast aperture at all focal lengths
  • NoΒ visible chromatic aberration

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Barrel distortion at 17mm

Best Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife and Action Photography

When taking a photo or a video from an object that is far away, such as in wildlife photography or sports, your best bet is a telephoto lens.

They are strictly designed with this in mind, so zooming without losing quality is their strong point.

Because of their zoom ability, their bodies are more massive when compared to other lens types.

They are usually bulky and often more expensive than primes.

Please keep reading to learn what lens we consider the best telephoto lens in 2023 for Nikon D5500.

Best Telephoto
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G Lens
4.0
$275.96 $245.66

Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G is a budget-friendly lens that offers excellent value and decent performance for beginners and amateur photographers.

View on Amazon
03/23/2023 06:19 am GMT

This 200 mm model is no longer produced by the Nikon company, having been discarded recently in favor of a newer alternative with roughly the exact specifications.

Telephoto lens that produces stunning looking images.

The reason for such a decision on Nikon’s part is mainly due to its low-quality plastic build, meaning that what you get from the newer 200 mm VR II version pretty much amounts toΒ improved housing.

The price follows suit with the newer model, being almost twice as expensive as this lens, and in all fairness. At the same time, the enhanced build quality does present a significant improvement; we would still advise you to get the older model, as it offers a good 200 mm experience.

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Fast autofocus speed
  • Excellent value
  • Good build quality

Cons

  • It doesn’t come with a lens hood
  • Generic rear lens cap

Best Telephoto
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G Lens
4.5
$527.01 $450.00

This is a telephoto lens from Nikon with incredible properties, good build quality and it is a great solution for people who need budget friendly telephoto lens.

View on Amazon
03/23/2023 07:10 am GMT

This Nikon’s heavy-duty lens offers an incredible 300 mm of zoom and is among the best options for telephoto DX-form cameras.

55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G has powerful zoom with great build quality.

It’s packed withΒ great corrective featuresΒ crucial for any long-range zoom lens.

For example, this model’s advanced vibration reduction will enable you to takeΒ steady shotsΒ without worrying about shaky hands.

Also,Β itΒ focuses reasonably quickly, ensuring you won’t miss a crucial photo-worthy moment somewhere in the distance. To make this model even more attractive, it featuresΒ excellent sharpness regardless of the given range.

Among its disadvantages, we would count perhaps only the slight underperformance with reduced light, which can present a good challenge for your resources.

Pros

  • Useable Focal Length
  • Long zoom and good colors
  • Metal mount gives a sturdy feel
  • Performs well with proper lighting

Cons

  • Mediocre low-light performance
  • Loss in Sharpness atΒ 250-300mm

Best Macro Lens for Flowers and Macro Photography

You must own at least one Macro lens when it comes to Macro or close-up photography.

They have better minimum distance focus, meaning you can capture all the details from highly close.

One of the features is sharpness, which is inviolable with macro lenses.

Don’t forget:

Actual macro lenses have a 1:1 ratio, which allows them to take shots from near distances.

We did a few tests, compared photos taken from different options, and decided on the best macro lens for D5500 Camera in 2023.

Best Macro
Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Lens
4.0
$276.95

This is a budget-friendly macro lens from Nikon company that offers great value and it produces very sharp images with vibrant colors.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 07:24 pm GMT

This Nikon’s 40 mm solution would probably be one of the best currently available when it comes to precise photography and recording of still life.

Great option for macro photography allowing you to capture every detail.

It delivers precisely where it needs to, with itsΒ enhanced sharpness propertiesΒ enabling you to makeΒ detailedΒ andΒ preciseΒ photos at a close distance.

The minimum focusing distance is 6.4 inches, leaving plenty of room to catch even the most minor details of your subject.

It is, therefore,Β theΒ optimal weaponΒ of choiceΒ if you plan to take shots of food or various products at a close distance, for advertisement purposes, for example.

Pros

  • Great manual focus feel
  • The macro feature works like a charm
  • Lens is lightweight
  • f/2.8 is great for general photography

Cons

  • Auto-focus performance in low-light
  • You must get close to the subject for 1:1

Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Landscapes and Urban areas

If you are interested in any photos above, the wide-angle lens will come in handy.

The large field of view allows you to contain more of what you see in the picture. Photos taken with a wide-angle lens have a unique feel because of the curves toward the corners.

Since D5500 is a DX-format camera, every photo taken will act 1.5 times longer.

Nikon and other third-party companies, such as sigma, have this in mind when designing their glass, so you don’t have to worry too much.

We did test more than a couple of Nikon lenses and decided that two lenses deserve to be on this list.

Best Wide Angle
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G Lens
5.0
$896.95

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is a wide angle lens that ofers superior sharpness and it produces beautiful photos with stunning effects.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 07:54 pm GMT

Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an ideal focal length that will easily cover long distances.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED offers beautiful blur effects.

Of course, being ranked among the best wide-angle lenses for Nikon D5500, there will be certain distortions at the complete ends, and the low light performance may not be y top-notch. Still, when it comes to zoom, it shows some relatively advanced propertiesΒ considering its class.

This lens can be anΒ excellent choiceΒ if you plan to take photos of architecture and landscapes, where you will getΒ the very best of its performance.

On the flip side:

It doesn’t come equipped with a vibration reduction feature, which may present some problems for beginners.

Pros

  • Easy to carry all-day
  • Great image quality
  • Excellent wide angle
  • More than adequately sharpΒ 

Cons

  • There is some chromatic aberration
  • A little bit bulky

Best Wide-angle
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens
4.5
$599.95 $359.00

This lens for Tokina has good autofocus and an excellent f/2.8 aperture while delivering excellent photos for landscape photography.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 05:54 pm GMT
You may want to consider thisΒ great alternative from Tokina, offering good quality with high performance.
Great alternative from company called Tokina, cheaper lens with fair sharpness.

While it can be said to underperform in comparison to Nikon’s lens, this Tokina’s solution still offers some impressive properties, especially regarding its surprisingly delicate sharpness and decent low-light performance.

This lens would perhaps beΒ best suitable for outdoor events with manyΒ people and a diminished light setting, like weddings and various other similar events.

This wouldn’t work as well with landscape photography because of the slightly pronounced distortion at the ends, making it unfit for environments where you need to take your shots at a greater distance.

Pros

  • Sharp from 12mm to 16mm
  • Effective manual/auto slip ring
  • It feels very well built
  • Excellent value

Cons

  • Slight vignetting at 11mm
  • Short focal range compared to others

Best kit lens for Nikon D5500

Just in case of wondering, here is our choice for what we consider to be the best kit lens on the market in 2023:

Best Wide-angle
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Lens
3.5
$59.99

This wide-angle lens from Nikon is great for close-up shots and low-light situations and it comes equipped with vibration reduction and silent-wave motor.

View on Amazon
03/22/2023 06:58 pm GMT

Brilliant for beginners and casual photography enthusiasts, this Nikon’s 55 mm lens is one of the best options for unofficial stock photos.

Good option for beginners and people who are just starting in photography.

Should you attempt to take some long-distance photos, you may experience some heavy distortion, of course, but this can be corrected up to a point using the built-in option in the camera itself.

Other than that, using it in low-light settings is not advisable.

All in all:

This model isΒ aΒ great beginner’s kit lens, introducing you to photography.

If you are a more advanced photographer, check out some of the other models on this list, and you will find just what you need!

Pros

  • Brilliant for beginners
  • Good sharpness
  • Decent build quality
  • Great value

Cons

  • SomeΒ distortion possible
  • Low-Light performance

What is perfect lens for Nikon D5500?

And this wraps up our list ofΒ best lenses for the Nikon D5500! We hope you enjoyed the ride; now it’s only a matter of jotting down your needs and singling out your Nikon D5500 lenses.

If you are on a budget, you may consider buying a used lens since you get better quality for the same price.

Read our buying guide section for guides such as Nikon D5300 lenses and Nikon D5200 lenses toΒ get some valuable insights if you decide to go that route.

Happy shopping!

Summary
These are 13 MUST-HAVE lenses for Nikon D5500 [In 2023] πŸ“Έ
Article Name
These are 13 MUST-HAVE lenses for Nikon D5500 [In 2023] πŸ“Έ
Description
Want the best lens for Nikon D5500? Enhance your camera performance with these 13 most powerful Nikon D5500 lenses in 2023!
Author
Publisher Name
Lensespro.org
Publisher Logo