Nikon finally brought out some reasonably priced VR lenses!

First of all the excellent Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED and now they have updated the small and light 55-200mm as a perfect companion to the standard 18-55mm kit lens.

This lens will go very well with the new D40 or D40x or an existing D80 or D50.

The AF-S DX VR 55-200MM F/4-5.6G IF-ED lens is a high-quality compact 3.6x DX zoom designed specifically to work with Nikon’s market-leading D80 and D40/ D40x cameras. The AF-S DX VR 55-200MM F/4-5.6G IF-ED is an affordable entry-level lens which features Nikon’s cutting edge Vibration Reduction stabilization system and exclusive Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet and precise autofocussing.

With optics designed for the Nikon DX Format digital SLR cameras, this high-performance compact lens delivers a picture angle equivalent to that of a 35mm format, 82.5-300mm zoom lens, which enables users to get close to unapproachable subjects.

Nikon’s Vibration Reduction function compensates for camera shake to produce sharper, clearer pictures in unsteady or poorly-lit conditions.

Other fantastic features include the Nikon ED glass and aspherical lens elements to minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism, and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast.

Comments from Amazon Reviews

This lens is sharp even at wide apertures, the VR (image stabilization) works great, autofocus speed is more than acceptable, and it it is very light and compact. The fact that it costs $250 and has effective VR is pretty amazing - no other company offers a lens with this feature for anywhere near this price.

This lens is fabulous. The perfect compliment to my 18-55 lens on my Nikon D80. It takes over where the 18-55 stops. Sharp and lightweight at 11 oz. The VR “no shake, no blur” feature is a must for me. I am usually out walking the dog or in a car or at a cycling event so I never have a tripod. I have no complaints about this lens.

Some more samples here and Ken Rockwell’s thoughts here.

So far from what I’ve seen it’s a capable lens, light weight, sharp wide open and very reasonably priced.

Here in Malaysia it’s on sale (street price) for around RM850.