Difference between NIKON 55-300 VR & 70-300 VR LENS?

What is the quality of photo in wild life photography? Which is the best of the two.

The 55-300mm AF-S VR is a newer, less expensive, and lighter lens. It's pretty much designed to fill a budgetary need for owners of novice level Nikon DSLR's such as the D3100 and D5200.It's a DX only optic, so it won't work well on FX cameras. It also a slower focusing, and that can be a factor if you are using your new telephoto zoom for sports or capturing moving wildlife.

Here's some samples shot with the 55-300mm.

The 70-300mm AF-S VR has been out a few years and is very well reviewed. It's a heftier lens and autofocuses much faster. For daytime sports and wildlife, it's a top choice.

Here's some samples shot with that lens.

Dependent on your budget and style, either would be a good choice.

The AF-S 70-300mm G lens is a FX - full frame lens, but it will work on either a DX or FX format camera.

The AF-S 70-300mm:

It is a mid-range quality lens and features ED glass. ED glass cuts down on chromatic aberrations (color fringing).

It also has version 2 Vibration Reduction (with a normal-active switch), M/A focusing - which allows simultaneous autofocus with manual override (do not need to switch to manual mode to manually focus), and an upgraded focusing motor that cuts down on vibrations and it focuses faster.

It is also internal focusing - which means the lens barrel does not extend during focusing (however it does extend when zooming).It also has a rear sealing gasket so it is more weather resistant. Lenses having both of these features tend to "pump" dust into the sensor cavity less; meaning less chance of dust getting onto the sensor.

The AF-S 55-300mm

The 55-300mm lens is for Dx cameras only, and is a consumer grade lens. It does have Vibration Reduction -but it is version 1. And it has M-A focusing, which requires you to select either manual or auto focusing - it is not simultaneous.

And no ED glass.

The build quality is consumer-grade. The lens is not internally focused, and the lens barrel both extends rotates when focusing, which rules out the use of either polarizer or graduated and filters.

As well, since the focusing moves the lens barrel in and out, and there's no rear gasket, the lens can "pump" air into and out of the camera's sensor cavity. When this happens, there's a greater risk of depositing dust onto the sensor.

It is a budget lens.

Optically, both lenses are average to slightly above average, but with the 70-300mm, being it is a Fx lens - when used on a Dx camera, only the center part of the lens is used, which results in the corners being a bit more sharp.

Note that Nikon has made several 70-300mm lenses. My comments are restricted to the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5!5.6 G VR…

The lens normally retails for $580, but you can buy one refurbished for under $360.

http://www.adorama.com/...AFVRR.html

I bought mine refurbished and it works and looks like a new lens. I don't buy a lot of refurbished lenses, but with a huge discount this lens has, it is worth considering refurbished. And Nikon provides a 90 day warranty should something not be right.

If you have a 18-55mm lens, you will not even notice the gap between 55mm and 70mm.

The 55-300mm is more versatile. Both are the same from 70-300mm. Picture quality will be the same. It depends on you. Technically, the shorter the zoom range, the better optical quality is but lens element characteristics will have an effect too.

Go for 55-300
You get more range and this lens is new