Do you want to know what is the best lens for Nikon D5500 Camera in 2021?
You must be crazy if you don’t agree when I say:
Choosing the perfect Nikon D5500 lens is not an easy task.

There are a great number of choices to choose from and not enough useful pieces of information about lenses itself.
Here’s the thing:
If you want to know which lens you should buy and which one you should avoid you are in the right place.
In this article, we will answer all these questions for you as well as 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.
Table of Contents
- What makes Nikon D5500 special?
- Best All-in-one Lenses for Travelling and Everyday photography
- Best Prime Lenses for Portraits and Modeling
- Best Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife and Action Photography
- Best Macro Lens for Flowers and Macro Photography
- Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Landscapes and Urban areas
- Best kit lens for Nikon D5500
- Zoom Lenses vs Prime Lenses
- The Separate Manufacturing and The Third Party Lenses
- What is perfect lens for Nikon D5500?
What makes Nikon D5500 special?
At this very moment, Nikon D5500 stands as one of the best, if not the best SLR on the market, all thanks to a string of fresh features that exceed the technical standards of the majority of models we’ve seen so far.
Also, make sure to read our other buying guides if you have a specific camera, such as Best Lenses for Nikon D7200 or 6 Best Lenses for Nikon D3300.

It is widely known within camera enthusiasts’ circles that no matter how good a set of properties a stock camera has, they simply cannot unveil their full potential unless you equip them with a powerful lens.
To discuss this further, and hopefully help you decide yourself for 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
All-in-one lens is best when you can choose only one lens to carry around with you.
While it won’t have the sharpness of the primes lens or cool looking curves of Primes, it will do an excellent task at any type of 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 to get 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.
Lens | Type | Price |
---|---|---|
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G | All-in-one | Check Price |
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G | All-in-one | Check Price |
Nikon 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 | All-in-one | Check Price |
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 | Prime | Check Price |
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 | Prime | Check Price |
Nikon 35mm f/1.8 | Prime | Check Price |
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 | Prime | Check Price |
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 | Telephoto | Check Price |
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 | Telephoto | Check Price |
Nikon 40mm f/2.8 | Macro | Check Price |
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 | Wide-Angle | Check Price |
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 | Wide-Angle | Check Price |
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 | Kit | Check Price |
By far, the best property of this lens is its great 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 all the excellent characteristics of its predecessors, while being much lighter and cheaper.
For example:
It retains the maximum magnification of x32, the minimum focus distance of 1.6 ft, as well as the angle of view from 76 to 520 degrees.
About the only downside can be the casual softness or the autofocus acting up then and again.
Pros
- Extremely small and light weight
- It is very convenient
- Fast autofocus
- Macro focusing even at 200mm
Cons
- Poor vignetting at close to 18mm
- Needs to be locked
This bulky all-in-one lens comes equipped with specialized vibration reduction technology, enabling you to create high-quality, sharp images no matter what focal length you shoot from.
Additionally, its sturdy build and increased weight (compared with some other Nikon lenses), ensures that you will always make 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, means that it wouldn’t necessarily prove the best solution if you plan to make some wildlife or distant scenery photos.
If you need a lens precisely for this purpose, then we propose you consider the 300 mm version described above or read on about the lenses below.
Pros
- Focus is fast and accurate
- Zoom range covers everything
- Image quality is excellent
- Compact for it’s range
Cons
- Weight can be an issue
- Creates shadow while using flash
If you’re a bit tight on your budget and require an all-inclusive versatile lens, then this 18-250 mm solution from Sigma may be a perfect choice for you.
It is almost two times cheaper than the models from Nikon, and while this drop in price does come due to certain technical shortcomings, it is safe to say that you won’t regret getting yourself one of these Sigma’s 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 its decreased weight and a considerably lower price, this lens still manages to find its audience among the optics connoisseurs.
Pros
- Solid feel, including the zoom-lock
- Quick AF, HSM is great
- Minimal 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 present everywhere in the world.
Prom night, 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 no 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 kind of lens is on the next level. Momentous photographers need at least one prime in their collection.
This lens is boasting 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 of 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 rather quick and reactive autofocus.
Portrait lens from Nikon with powerful zoom and good focal length.
Also, among its strengths are the significantly reduced distortion as well as the vibration reduction technology, which can dramatically enhance the hand-held photos.
All of these impressive characteristics, however, do seem to put this model at a disadvantage when it comes to its price, which is quite high even for a Nikon lens.
Overall:
This item easily ranks among the finest portrait lenses for Nikon D5500.
Pros
- Useful zoom range
- Excellent sharpness
- Well balanced and well built
- Good contrast and color rendition
Cons
- The lens is heavy
- Slight vignette effect at the 16mm
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 pretty 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, the autofocus with this model is a real treat, as its speed and sharpness make the preparation process for taking a photo a piece of cake.
Its small size contributes to a great extent to its feather-light properties in the weight department, as it weighs only 6.6 ounces.
All that being said:
This compactness quite literally does come at a price, so if you’re a bit tight on your budget, you might want to consider some of the other portrait models on this list.
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
- Small amount of barrel distortion
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.
For under 200$, it’s one of the best lenses you can get for portrait photography. Autofocus is fast and quiet, and the lens itself works great in low light conditions.
Pros
- Comes packaged with carrying case
- Captures crisp images
- Great in low-light situations
- Can fit more in the frame
Cons
- There is some barrel distortion
- The bokeh is sluggish
Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens, comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an excellent focal length which will cover long distances with ease.
Alternative solution from Sigma for photographers who are shooting portraits.
What’s even better, these impressive range properties do not come at the cost of low light performance, as this lens will perform brilliantly with every light setting within reach of its focal length.
About the only negative aspect of this model is the visible softness in the corners, particularly noticeable in wide-open environments with little room for elegant settings.
However:
This turns out to be but a minor issue if we take into account that this 70 mm lens comes less expensive when compared to Nikon lenses.
Pros
- Zoom action is smooth
- Images are sharp
- Fast aperture at all focal lengths
- No visible chromatic aberration
Cons
- Heavy
- Barrel distortion at 17mm
Best Telephoto Lenses for Wildlife and Action Photography
When it comes to 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 loss of quality is their strong point.
Because of zoom ability, their bodies are more massive when compared to other lens types.
They are usually bulky and often more expensive then primes.
Keep reading to learn what lens we consider to be the best telephoto lens in 2021 for Nikon D5500.
This particular 200 mm model is no longer produced by the Nikon company, having been discarded recently in favor of a newer alternative with roughly the same 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 to 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 yourself the older model, as it is less expensive and offers a proper 200 mm experience.
Pros
- Compact design
- Fast autofocus speed
- Excellent value
- Good build qualiity
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a lens hood
- Generic rear lens cap
Offering an incredible 300 mm of zoom, this Nikon’s heavy-duty lens is definitely among the very best options for telephoto DX-form cameras.
55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G has powerful zoom with great build quality.
It’s packed with great corrective features, which are crucial for any long-range zoom lens.
For example, the advanced vibration reduction this model boasts will enable you to take steady shots without worrying about shaky hands.
Also, it focuses reasonably quickly, ensuring that you won’t miss a crucial photo-worthy moment somewhere in the distance, and to make this model even more attractive, it features excellent sharpness regardless of the given range.
Among its disadvantages, we would count perhaps only the slight underperformance in the circumstances with reduced light, as well as the price, which can present a proper 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 at 250-300mm
Best Macro Lens for Flowers and Macro Photography
When it comes to Macro or close-up photography, you must own at least one Macro lens.
They have better minimum distance focus meaning you will be able to capture all the details from extremely close.
One of the features is sharpness, which is inviolable with macro lenses.
Don’t forget:
Real 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 which is the best macro lens for D5500 Camera in 2021.
When it comes to the precise photography and recording some still lifes, this Nikon’s 40 mm solution would probably be one of the best solutions currently on the market.
Great option for macro photography allowing you to capture every detail.
It delivers precisely where it needs to, with its enhanced sharpness properties enabling you to make detailed and precise photos at a close distance.
The minimum focusing distance is at 6.4 inches, leaving plenty of room to catch even the smallest details of your subject of choice.
It is, therefore, the optimal weapon of choice if you plan to take shots of food, or various products at a close distance, for advertisement purposes, for example.
Also, it is quite inexpensive for a Nikon product, meaning that once in a while, you get the top quality for an agreeable price.
Pros
- Great manual focus feel
- 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 subject for 1:1
Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Landscapes and Urban areas
If you are interested in any type of photography 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 to it because of curves toward corners.
Since D5500 is a DX-format camera, every photo taken with it will act as 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.
Another great alternative to a typical Nikon lens, comes with this 17-70 mm model from Sigma, offering an excellent focal length which will cover long distances with ease.
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED offers beautiful blur effects.
Of course, being ranked among best wide-angle lenses for Nikon D5500, there will be certain distortions at the full ends, and the low light performance may not be an exactly top-notch, but when it comes to zoom it shows some rather advanced properties considering its class.
That being said, this lens can be an excellent choice if you plan to take photos of architecture and landscapes, where you will get 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 the beginners.
Pros
- Easy to carry all day
- Great image quality
- Excellent wide angle
- More than adequately sharp
Cons
- There is some chromatic aberration
- A little bit bulky
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 when it comes to its surprisingly delicate sharpness and decent low-light performance.
This lens would perhaps be best suitable for some outdoor events with a lot of people and a diminished light setting, like at weddings and various other similar events.
The reason this wouldn’t work as well with landscape photography is 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 the case of wondering here is our choice for what we consider to be the best kit lens on the market in 2021:
Brilliant for beginners and casual photography enthusiasts, this Nikon’s 55 mm lens is one of the best options for the everyday unofficial 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, it’s not advisable to use it in low light settings.
All in all:
This model is a great beginner’s kit lens, which will provide you with a great introduction to the world of photography.
If you are a more advanced photographer, check out some of the other models on this list, and you will surely find just what you need!
Pros
- Brilliant for beginners
- Good sharpness
- Decent build quality
- Great value
Cons
- Some distortion possible
- Low-Light performance
Zoom Lenses vs Prime Lenses
Starting off with zoom lenses, it is fair to say that they are better well-rounded and offer a more enormous scope of different kinds of shots than the regular prime lenses.
Best zoom lenses for Nikon D5500 are usually able to cover a wide range of photos, from telephoto to wide-angle, making them considerably more versatile and beginner-friendly.
Prime lenses, on the other hand, have a fixed focal length but are much faster and provide excellent quality in the low light settings. Also, they are quite cheaper and lighter than zoom lenses.
If you want to know what is the best Nikon D5500 Lens?
Here is the thing:
If you want the best lenses to keep reading this article:

To be safe, if you’re a rookie with cameras but can afford bulkier optics, it would probably be a good idea to get yourself a zoom lens first, since they are more versatile and generally more comfortable to use in all environments.
The Separate Manufacturing and The Third Party Lenses
When choosing a brand new lens, you may as well take into consideration buying one from a third party company.
The good thing about them is that they are typically much cheaper than their Nikon counterparts while still managing to retain the majority of the essential characteristics.
On the downside, the non-Nikon produced optics do tend to have specific inferior properties. For example, some of the most common issues with the lenses from Sigma (a Japan-based third party company), are their slow autofocus mechanics as well as the decreased sharpness.

This is mainly because their optics are made to fit other types of cameras too, which makes them less well-rounded since they’re not concentrated on one model in particular.
The most important third party lens manufacturers are Tokina, Tamron, as well as the aforementioned Japan-based Sigma.
Now that we’ve acquainted ourselves with some of the ins and outs of the versatile world of lenses, let’s take a closer look at the detailed characteristics of the models best suited for the Nikon D5500:
What is perfect lens for Nikon D5500?
And this wraps up our list of best lenses for Nikon D5500! We hope you enjoyed the ride; now it’s only a matter of jotting down your exact needs and singling out your perfect match.
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, to get some useful insights if you decide to go that route.
Happy shopping!
![These are 13 MUST-HAVE lenses for Nikon D5500 [In 2021]](https://lensespro.org/wp-content/uploads/Best-lenses-for-Nikon-D5500-preview.jpg)

Thanks for the tutorial it helped me a lot
Thank you!
I made my choice and will go for a Tokina 11-16mm lens, I am not fan of anything that is not Nikon but hopefully i will have pleasant experience
Hey Edward, I am just starting in photography, so I wanted to get something I can use for many occasions, I guess I need to go with an allinone lens which one you recommend?
18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G or 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G?
They are both similary priced in a shop near me
I would recommend that you go with a Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G simply because focal length range is larger, which will allow you more versatility, but both are great lenses.
Good luck!
Nice article 🙂 keep up the good work
Hey Edward, I want to contact you as I have a business question I want to ask you personally. Can you give me your private email or email me first on “[email protected]”? I would really appreciate it
I sent you an email, please check your inbox. 🙂
I ordered Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 from Amazon few minutes ago, it should come in a few days. Wish me luck! lol
That is excellent choice Jeffery! Good luck 🙂
I got it yesterday! It is truly amazing lens!!
this is what I have been looking for! A guide with useful informations and tested lenses
Thanks Edward, this guide really helped me! 🙂
One of most compressive guides for nikon d5500 lenses. I was thinking about upgrading and this guide made me feel safe with my purchase of Nikon 18-200mm all in one lens.I bought it from amazon 3-4 days ago and It arrived this morning, I went out to shoot some pictures and its just amazing. Definitely Worth the price. Thanks for your recommendation.
HI Mary, thanks for feedback, its always good to know we are helping others to make best choice.
Also, Are you talking about Nikon 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6 VR II? If so, that is our top choice for Nikon D5500, it really is one of best lens you can get for the money. We are glad that you are happy with your choice.
first of all great guide but which PRIME lens would you recommend me?? I am on budget just starting photography which is best choice for me
thanks
Hi Robert, our recommendation for you would probably be Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens. Its under 200$ right now on amazon. If you have any additional questions dont hesitate to contact us.
It really depends from what you guys need, I have been photographer for 4 years now, I dont have to much experience but I can give my advice. If are looking for all in one zoom lens I could recommend Nikon 55-300mm with f/4.5-5.6G, which is awesome choice, there is also Nikon 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6 VR II if you are not on budget. Also there is one better option from tamron, SP 70-200mm f/2.8, but this one cost well over 1000 dollars, but its worth it in my opinion.
As for other type of lens, I wouldnt be able to say a lot, because I usually use zoom and telephoto lenses, but from my experience the list is good, this is one of better tutorials I found on net, really nice work.
P.S Please check your inbox I just sent you email
Hi Alfred, thanks for the feedback. We completely agree with your opinion, there are many lenses, but we tried to choose ones that are worth the price, and best in their category. We know there are better lenses, such as one you just mention, but price point is not for most people. Of course you can just spend 5 thousands dollars and buy lens that is almost perfect, but when you get to that point,when you can afford such expensive lenses, you will already know which to buy, and you wont need this guide. LensesPro is for beginners and photographers who are maybe looking to upgrade, but I am glad to see that professional photographer like yourself liked our choices!
Please Share our site with other photographers, it would mean a lot to us.
Also check your inbox, we replied…
Thanks you!
I love your content but I have one question, you only recommended one macro lens. I am into Macro photography, could you maybe suggest me few more?
Hi Paul! First of all, we didnt have a lot of macro lenses to test, but from few good ones we tested, Nikon 40mm f/2.8 DX Micro lens had best price/value ratio. There are of course other choices, can you tell us what your budget is so we can help you further?
hi edward, thanks for helping me, my budget is 400$-500$
Well, one that we recommended cost less then 300$, so I can see why would you want few more choices. There is one better lens we tested, Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR Micro lens, but this option is double your budget. I was checking and could not find lens that is better then Nikon 40mm f/2.8 DX. The problem is, we can only recommend lenses that we personally tested. In 3-4 days we will get more micro lenses from our local shop provider, and when we are done reviewing them, we will email you with an update.
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G or Nikon 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6 VR II? which would you recommend which one is better for moeny etc
Nikon 18-200mm cost more then double its your choice but is it worth the price difference when comparing these 2 lenses?
Hi there! To be honest, its obvious that Nikon 18-200mm
f/3.5-5.6 VR II is indeed better lens, but its more expensive. You would have to go to your local lens shop and test both of those lens on your Nikon D5500 camera. Maybe our lens buying guide could help you.
To be honest I would like if you start adding some more Tokina & Tamron choices. I found that for the same money I get more with them…
Hi Jeannette,we really try our best to mention lenses from third party manufacturers such as Tokina, Tamron or Sigma if they are good enough.
Their prices are a little bit lower when comparing to Premium Brands, such as Nikon & Canon, which is advantage. But the fact is that Nikon & Canon Lenses usually have higher build quality. I would also like to add that its better to buy used third party lenses, because their prices drops very quickly after you buy it new, so if you are on budget try to find some used Tokina or Sigma Lens which are in good condition.
I swear this is best guide for nikon d5500 lenses
Keep up the good work and thank you! 😀
Thank you! It is always great to know that our content actually help others.
You need to exclude Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 DX II from this list. Seriously! I had it, body is not made from HQ parts I was taking pictures and strap broke lens dropped and Tokina charged me almost 200$ to fix it. They are all scammers from now I will only buy Canon or Nikon at least their strap will not broke as easily LOOOL
We are sorry to hear you had bad experience with Tokina company. They are usually on point when it comes to lenses repair.
best guide ever!
Thanks a lot Thom! We appreciate it.
very detailed guide edward
thanks to you I decided to buy myself nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5g ed zoom lens with auto focus for christmas
it were much big improve over my last telephoto lens
went for used one, costed me 500$
Hi nikky, we are glad to help. Also, 500$ for used zoom lens Nikon 10-24mm is good deal, we hope you are happy with it!
please check your email you have few questions there
Sorry for late reply, we were out for couple of days.
Check your inbox, we answered on all your questions.