In my career as a professional photographer, I’ve undertaken exhaustive evaluations of numerous lenses.

Included in these extensive trials was the Nikon D5200 and its suite of compatible lenses. For those desiring a quick overview, here’s a brief distillation of my experiences:

Could the Nikon D5200 be your ideal photographic accomplice?

Let’s navigate the particulars of this multifaceted DSLR, weighing its advantages and potential limitations.

Stay with me as we unravel whether the Nikon D5200 could be your trusted partner in your photographic journey.

Nikon D5200: A Wise Purchase in 2024?

• Lens Type: Telephoto
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 18-300mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 4.8 meters
• Weight: 1.21 pounds
• Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.11 x 3.11 inches

All-in-one lenses are notorious for their versatility, and the same can be said for Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G.

It is the best Nikon D5200 lens for beginners and people just starting in photography.

As you can notice, one of the main features of this all-in-one lens from Nikon is a vast focal length range from 18mm on the low side up to 300mm.

This is an excellent lens for traveling or photographic situations where you can only use one lens for different photos. It will do a great job and provide good image quality on many other occasions, but don’t expect to get the same rate as you will get with a dedicated lens in certain types of photography.

Still, the images you get with Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G are high-quality with precise details. Build quality is fantastic, and you will feel that this is a lens from a Premium brand.

Look:

If only one lens I could use for a month or more would be this all-in-one lens from Nikon. Sure, it might not deliver perfect results in specific situations, but overall, it is undoubtedly one of the best all-around lenses for the Nikon D5200 camera.

#2 Best Runner-Up: Discover the Perfect Prime Lens for Nikon D5200

• Lens Type: Telephoto
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (FX)
• Focal Length Range: 85 mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.80 m
• Weight: 0.77 pounds
• Dimensions: 2.87 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches

Prime lenses are helpful for many photographic situations, as they can be used for more than just shooting portraits, even tho that is their primary purpose.

One of the sharpest prime lenses for this category is Nikon 85mm f/1.8G, which also has impressive performance and many additional features you can expect to get when buying a lens from a Premium brand such as Nikon.

While testing it, I discovered that this lens works great in all sorts of situations where you need to shoot photos of one or more people.

For reference, I’m talking about family gatherings, barbecues, and weddings. Besides that, it is also an excellent choice for street photography; unless you want a wider angle, you should go for a wide-angle lens.

One thing to remember:

You will be paying a premium price for this lens, but the benefits and image quality you get are well worth it.

Bokeh is excellent, and it blends perfectly when taking portraits, making your object just enough in focus to get a beautiful background effect.

Low-light performance is top-notch, and with an aperture of f/1.8, you can expect images with precise details even in a pitch-dark environment.

There was a minor issue with corner softness which is noticeable, especially at wider apertures, but this can easily be fixed in programs such as Lightroom.

Even when you consider that you have to pay a higher price, this prime lens still offers fantastic value, and it is one of the best prime lenses for the Nikon D5200.

#3 Best Budget: Enhance Your Nikon D5200 with the Best Macro Lens

• Lens Type: Normal
• Mounting Type: Nikon F (DX)
• Focal Length Range: 40mm
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.162 m
• Weight: 0.52 pounds
• Dimensions: 2.56 x 2.72 x 2.72 inches

If you are looking for a lens that is great for macro photography – look no further! This Nikon 40mm f/2.8G produces high-quality images, not only in the macro field but in other areas as well.

In fact:

One of the reasons it is our first choice for the Nikon D5200 camera is the versatility you get with this lens. Sure, it is designed with macro photography in mind, but it can be used for other types such as portray, its, and street photography.

This makes it perfect for beginners looking for a simple Nikon D5200 lens that offers high performance. Speaking of which, Nikon 40mm f/2.8G performs flawlessly even in low-light areas, primary thanks to the f/2.8 aperture, which lets a good amount of light through the lens itself.

Build quality is excellent; even if you consider that it is built out of plastic materials, it still feels “premium” when you are taking hand-held photos.

One of the attributes that kind of surprised me was sharpness. I did expect this lens to capture sharp-looking photos when combined with the Nikon D5200 camera, but once I started testing and comparing pictures on my 4K LG screen, I noticed just how sharp this lens is.

And if you consider that you need to upgrade to a Nikon 105mm or better to improve image quality, it’s become clear why I chose this lens as the best macro lens for Nikon D5200.

#4 Capture Breathtaking Moments with the Top Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon D5200

If you are looking for a wide-angle lens great for shooting landscapes, Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is the right choice.

Like all other lenses on this list, it has superb image quality, allowing you to take some fantastic nature images.

I also found out that it works great for indoor photography because you can fit more of a photo in a single frame; it is an excellent lens for real estate agents who need to photograph houses.

This lens is one of my personal favorites lenses when it comes to nature photography.

Sure, the focal length is not the best, as it only goes from 10 to 24mm, but if your main focus is on image quality, you will want to get this wide-angle lens for your Nikon D5200 camera.

One aspect of this lens that I found quite helpful is an unparalleled view at 10mm that can come in handy when you are looking to capture a unique perspective on a single photo.

Build quality is good, and while autofocus can sometimes be slightly slower than I would like, overall, it is pretty fast and silent.

Here’s the thing:

This is a high-performance lens for users looking for the best quality wide-angle lens. Still, if that is out of your price range, Tokina 11-16mm offers similar performance, but you will have to sacrifice versatility as the focal length goes only from 11 up to 16mm.

Nevertheless, if you want a wide-angle lens with top-notch quality, Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is among the best on the market.

#5 Experience the Power of the Best Telephoto Lens for Nikon D5200

One of the best telephoto lenses for regular photographers or people not looking to do extreme photography is Nikon 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6E.

Sure, it might be insufficient for photographers who are into bird photography, as the focal length range only goes up to 300mm, but for most other users, that is plenty.

This Nikon 70-300mm zoom lens offers high performance, and the images you get with it are high-quality, with precise details and vibrant colors.

Autofocus is one of the best features of this Nikon zoom lens, as it is crazy fast and almost entirely silent.

Overall performance is excellent, and you will be more than happy with the results from this Nikon masterpiece.

Look:

This is one of the best Nikon D5200 telephoto lenses. It is excellent for wildlife and action photography, but if you need a telephoto lens with a more powerful zoom, check out the alternatives below.

Lens FAQs for Nikon D5200 Users: Making Informed Choices for Your Camera

What lenses will fit Nikon D5200?

The Nikon D5200 camera uses Nikon F-mount lenses. This includes both DX and FX lenses, although DX lenses are a better fit due to the camera’s DX sensor. All AF-P, AF-S, and AF-I lenses will provide full autofocus. AF and AF-D lenses will require manual focus as the D5200 lacks an internal autofocus motor. You can also use third-party lenses from manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina, as long as they are designed for the Nikon F-mount.

What size lens for Nikon D5200?

The Nikon D5200 has an APS-C sensor, also known as a DX-format sensor. The size of the lens will depend on the focal length you want for your photography. A general-purpose lens might be an 18-55mm lens. If you want a wide-angle view, consider a lens around 10-24mm. For portrait photography, lenses around 50-85mm are often used, while for wildlife or sports, a telephoto lens, like a 70-300mm lens, could be a good choice.

What is the best lens for Nikon D5200?

The “best” lens depends on your photography style and needs. A versatile lens like the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is often recommended for the Nikon D5200. However, the best lens can vary based on the type of photography – for example, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G could be the best for portraits, while the AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED could be ideal for wildlife or sports photography.

Can I use FX lenses on a Nikon D5200?

Yes, you can use FX lenses on a Nikon D5200. While these lenses are designed for full-frame (FX) cameras, they can also be used on DX-format cameras like the D5200. However, keep in mind that FX lenses will give a 1.5x crop factor on DX cameras, essentially increasing the perceived focal length.

Are third-party lenses compatible with the Nikon D5200?

Yes, third-party lenses from manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina can be used with the Nikon D5200, as long as they are designed for the Nikon F-mount. Always ensure that the lens supports autofocus if that is a feature you require.

How do I choose the best lens for my Nikon D5200?

Choosing the best lens depends on your photographic needs. Consider the type of photography you’ll be doing, the lighting conditions, your budget, and whether you’ll need features like vibration reduction. Understanding focal length and aperture will also help in choosing the right lens for your Nikon D5200.

Nikon D5200 Ultimate Guide – Wrapping Up

I hope you learned a lot from this ultimate Nikon D5200 lens guide and have the necessary knowledge to make the right choice.

However:

For those of you who are still unsure what lenses for Nikon D5200 to get, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below, and I will do my best to help you!

Also, make sure other guides on this blog, such as the Nikon D3100 lenses and the Canon T7i lenses guide, will help you improve your knowledge in photography. Share this guide with your friends to help them make the right decision and choose the best Nikon D5200 lens.

Hopefully, you will be satisfied with the lens you chose!

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More Nikon D5000 Series guides:

• Nikon D5000 lenses
• Nikon D5100 lenses
• Nikon D5200 lenses
• Nikon D5300 lenses
• Nikon D5500 lenses
• Nikon D5600 lenses