The Essentials

• The first difference you'll notice between the two lenses is the zoom ratio. The 16-85 mm lens has a zoom ratio of 5.3 while the 18-200 mm has a zoom ratio of 11.1 – twice that of the 16-85. Both lenses have a maximum aperture range of f/3.5-5.6. This means as the lens moves into its longer focal length range, the maximum size of the aperture changes from f/3.5 to f/5.6. Since the 18-200 mm lens has a much longer zoom range, the maximum aperture changes less quickly than the shorter zoom range of the 16-85 mm.
  
  

Design and Construction

• Nikon has designed both lenses to work on the company's DX or compact sensor technology DSLR cameras. This lenses are not optimized for use on full frame DSLR or 35 mm film cameras, but photographers can use them on these camera types if they desire. Both lenses have the same aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 to f/22. The 16-85 mm lens consists of 17 lens elements assigned to 11 lens groups, while the 18-200 mm consists of 16 lens elements assigned to 12 lens groups. Both lenses have seven diaphragm blades, two ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical lens elements. Both lenses also come equipped with Nikon's super integrated lens coating technology, silent wave motor auto focus technology and both use internal focusing systems. Both lenses feature Nikon's VR (vibration reduction) technology, but the 18-200 mm features the more advanced VRII technology.
  
  

Optical Features

• The 16-85 mm has a maximum diagonal angle of view of 83 degrees and a minimum of 18 degrees 50 minutes. The 18-200 mm has a maximum angle of view of 76 degrees and a minimum of eight degrees. Both lenses have a maximum reproduction ratio of .22x. Naturally, the 16-85 mm lens has a shorter minimum focusing distance (1.3 feet) compared to the 18-200 mm (1.6 feet). Although both lenses feature auto and manual focus control, the 18-200 features Nikon's M/A focus control. This allows the user to switch from manual to auto focus with the twist of a ring instead of selecting a switch or hitting a button. The 16-85 mm does not have this feature.
  
  

Dimensions, Weight and Price

• The 16-85 mm measures approximately 2.8 inches in diameter and 3.4 inches in length. The lens accepts 67 mm front screw-on accessories and it weighs approximately 17.1 oz. The 18-200 mm measures approximately 3.0 inches in diameter and 3.8 inches in length. It accepts the more expensive 72 mm front screw-on accessories and it weighs approximately 19.8 oz. At the time of publication the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens has a suggested retail price of $700 and the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VRII has a suggested retail price of $850.