Nikon's extreme DX superzoom covering an ambitious 27-450mm equivalent range with VR.
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR is the compact 2014 redesign of Nikon's DX all-in-one superzoom, providing a 16.7x zoom range covering 27-450mm full-frame equivalent in a single lens that is meaningfully lighter and shorter than the earlier 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G. The AF-S Silent Wave Motor enables compatibility with Nikon bodies without an internal AF motor. Vibration Reduction extends handheld use across the telephoto range. Three ED elements and three aspherical elements control chromatic and geometric aberrations across the extreme zoom range.
The optical design uses 16 elements in 12 groups, including three ED and three aspherical elements. Seven rounded aperture blades produce acceptable bokeh. The 67mm filter thread is the Nikon DX mid-telephoto standard. At 550g the lens is compact for its 16.7x zoom range. Minimum focus distance of 0.48m. VR provides handheld stability across the zoom range. AF-S SWM enables D40/D40x and all motorless DX bodies to autofocus. Variable aperture from f/3.5 at 18mm to f/6.3 at 300mm.
The 27-450mm equivalent in a 550g lens is the all-in-one practical case: for travel and casual shooting where a single lens must cover the full practical range without a bag, the 18-300mm eliminates lens changes at the cost of optical peak quality. The 2014 f/3.5-6.3G redesign is substantially smaller and lighter than the earlier f/3.5-5.6G version, making it more practical for everyday carry. The f/6.3 maximum aperture at 300mm is slow for indoor or low-light telephoto use.
On the used market the AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G VR is available at moderate prices as a DX all-in-one zoom. Condition checks: VR engagement, zoom ring smoothness across the full 16.7x range, and front element for marks. Confirm which version — the f/3.5-5.6G (heavier, older) or the f/3.5-6.3G (compact, 2014) — before purchase, as they are different lenses with different performance profiles. Compatible with all Nikon F-mount DX and FX bodies; DX image circle activates crop mode on FX.