Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I just bought the Nikkor 70-300mm AF-S FX lens for my FX camera and compared the lens with the Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 on both my FX and DX cameras. To my surprise the 55-300 was slightly sharper than the 70-300 on both cameras. In fact if I had known this I would just have continued using the 55-300 on both the FX and DX cameras. On the FX there is vignetting on the sides and corners with the 55-300 DX lens, but since I generally crop at 300mm for birds, the vignetting was not an issue. My FX doesn't go into DX mode with a DX lens, it just vignettes. The only advantage of the 70-300 FX lens is it is shaper at the corners and sides and does not vignette. But for cropped pics, the 55-300 on an FX or DX camera has a slight edge in picture quality, sharpness and color.

cthahn

Your money.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Thanks for sharing, Bob.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

You're welcome. I forgot to mention that the autofocusing speed was basically the same as far as I could tell.

pmackd Loc: Alameda CA

You did not mention what DX camera you want to put the lens on. If you have a compatible camera, the new AF-P DX 70-300 VR would be a much better choice. It is sharper than either the 55-300 DX or the AF-S 70-300 FX, especially at the long end. Not a little bit sharper, MUCH sharper. Closer in performance to my $2000. 300mm f4 PF VR than to the AF-S 70-300 FX, which also is much heavier. That's quite a claim but I've tested this myself carefully, as have others. Also AF and VR performance are awesome for an "entry-level" lens. Compatible cameras include D3300, D3400, D5300, D5500, D7100, D7200 and D500. D7000 and earlier Nikon DX cameras are definitely NOT compatible. A new Nikon USA AF-P 70-300 DX retails for $396. but you can find import (gray market) ones on ebay for under $200. Walmart advertises them but the actual seller is Ted's Electronics. You will have no real warranty and Nikon won't fix such an "import" lens but you can buy two for the price of one.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

I can validate pmackd inferences above... the new AF-P optics are simply amazing... both the 70-300mm and the 18-55mm...
That said since I'm into video others here may not appreciate the gift of silence the Pulse Stepper Motor brings to the dance...

Thank you pmackd for sharing your experience here... it mirrors mine...

wolvesaywe Loc: Hants England

I have the AFS DX 55-300 4.5-5.6 G VR , the focus motor is on the way out after only 14 months , alas it was a grey import off amazon . I purchased an AFS VR 70-300 4.5-5.6 G IF ED to replace it . The difference is amazing ! Heavier and longer but feels much more comfortable in the hands , the build quality really shows up too . On my first use i was amazed at the sharpness , i posted a pic of a canada goose on here taken with it , stunning image quality with my D7200 . As the old saying goes , you get what you pay for !