§ 03 Head to head

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6

Nikon 16–85mm f/3.5-5.6 has a wider field of view. Tokina 16.5–135mm f/3.5-5.6 has a longer reach.

Both lenses are made for the Nikon F mount: the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a 16–85mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, and the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 is a 16.5–135mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR better than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?

  • Wider field of view (16mm vs 16.5mm)
  • 125 g lighter (485 g vs 610 g)
  • Focuses 12 cm closer (0.38 m vs 0.5 m)
  • Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 77 mm)

Why is the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better than the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR?

  • Longer reach (135mm vs 85mm)
  • 7 mm shorter (78 mm vs 85 mm long)
  • More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
  • Newer design (2009 vs 2008)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: it goes wider, to 16mm against 16.5mm.
  • architecture For architecture, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: it goes wider, to 16mm against 16.5mm.
03

Specification

14 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationNikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VRTokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6
Focal length16–85mm 16.5–135mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5-5.6 f/3.5-5.6
Minimum aperturef/22-36 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatAPS-C APS-C
Weight485 g (17.11 oz) ◆610 g (21.52 oz)
Dimensions72 x 85 mm 84 x 78 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.38 m (14.96 inches) ◆0.5 m (19.69 inches)
Image stabilizationYes —
Aperture blades7 9 ◆
Optical construction17 elements in 11 groups 15 elements in 12 groups
Filter size67 mm ◆77 mm
Lens mountNikon F Nikon F, Canon EF-S
Released2008 2009
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Nikon
  • B · Tokina
  • 85 × 72 mm
  • 78 × 84 mm

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is 7 mm longer and 125 g lighter than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

A few leaves left
A few leaves left by nigelkell
Pink
Pink by nigelkell
These kids play for money
These kids play for money by Richard Maixner
Lines and rows
Lines and rows by nigelkell
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR review 1
Video thumbnail for Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR review 2
Video thumbnail for Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 review 1
Video thumbnail for Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?
The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR weighs 485 g, 125 g less than the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 (610 g).
Which focuses closer, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6?
The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR focuses down to 0.38 m, against 0.5 m for the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: it goes wider, to 16mm against 16.5mm.
Is the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Tokina AT-X DX AF 16.5-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 better for architecture?
For architecture, the Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has the edge: it goes wider, to 16mm against 16.5mm.
08

Other comparisons