The 5 Best Travel Lenses for Nikon Cameras: Buyers Guide & Reviews

Going on a trip can be especially interesting when you’re a photographer. You might be really looking forward to being able to get out there and take some great shots. Before going on your trip, it’s important to ensure that you have the best travel lens out there. If you’re using a Nikon, then you’ll want the best travel lens for Nikon cameras at your disposal.  

Today, we’re going to look at several of the best travel lenses for Nikon cameras. There are many different options for you to peruse, so it’s a good idea to look through them all in detail. You’ll definitely be able to find a travel lens that will suit your needs as a photographer. Whether you’re looking to take family photos or if you’re going to be shooting something more intricate, it’s going to be worth looking through this list. 

1. Sigma 10-20 mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras w/ Essential Photo and Travel Bundle

Our first travel lens that we’re going to be taking a look at comes to us from Sigma. This is meant for use with Nikon DSLR cameras and it actually includes quite a few things. If you’re looking for a good bundle that is going to get you ready for your travels, then this might fit the bill. You’re going to be getting several useful things that will make taking photos on vacation that much better. 

best travel lens for nikon cameras

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The kit includes the travel lens, a DSLR camera sling backpack, an Altura photo cleaning kit, and a high-quality microfiber cleaning cloth. The camera sling backpack is actually really nice and you’ll get a lot of use out of it while on vacation. You’re going to be able to pack things inside the backpack nicely and the other stuff really comes in handy. Of course, the main reason that you’ll want to purchase this product is due to the travel lens itself. 

This is a high-performance lens that has an f/3.5 aperture throughout the entire zoom range. This 10 to 20 mm lens is going to be a very good option for anyone who wants to take photos in low light. It makes it easier to get the results that you’re going for. You’ll be able to take some truly great shots using this lens whether you’re looking for artistic photos or if you’re simply trying to get good vacation photos. 

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Wide-Angle Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras w/Essential Photo and Travel Bundle Wide-angle shots really do turn out beautifully when you make use of this travel lens. It helps you to get more in the shot and it’s going to be great for group photos. Whether you’re trying to capture the beauty of a vista or if you want pictures of the whole family together, this is a great lens to own. It’s easy to use and you’re able to get the great pictures that you’re desiring. 

You’re going to find that this camera lens has very good compatibility with APS-C Nikon cameras. You’ll be able to use this with the D500, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7100, D7200, and D7500. With such great compatibility, it’s easy to see why this is a popular option. It’s going to really help you out to get the most out of your Nikon DSLR camera while on vacation. 

Pros 

  • Great compatibility
  • Maintain f/3.5 aperture throughout entire zoom range
  • Great for wide-angle shots
  • Comes with many convenient extras

Cons 

  • Not as high quality as some more expensive lenses

2. Sigma 18-300 mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras w/ Advanced Photo and Travel Bundle

This is another travel camera lens from Sigma that’s going to be worth your time to check out. This kit includes even more stuff than the previous offering, making it a potentially great value depending on whether you need these items. You’re going to get a camera sling backpack case, an Altura photo compact 62-inch monopod, a 72 mm filter kit, a Sigma dedicated lens hood, a Sigma lens cap, an Altura photo cleaning kit, and a microfiber cloth. This is a lot of stuff to receive with your travel lens and it’s going to come in handy. 

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The lens itself is capable of taking some really nice pictures. You’re going to see that this is an excellent general use type of camera lens to take on vacation. It’ll make it a lot easier to get good vacation photo shots. It isn’t a high-end lens, but it’s going to be a perfect travel option for people who want to take normal photos. 

The fact that this isn’t a high-end travel lens doesn’t mean that it can’t take beautiful pictures. You can actually use this travel lens to get some truly magnificent shots while you’re on vacation. You’ll find that this is a very good lens for taking nature photos that will also work great for capturing family moments. It’s a versatile lens that will certainly earn a place in your camera bag. 

Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras w/Advanced Photo and Travel Bundle You’re going to be able to use this camera lens with a lot of different Nikon cameras as well. This lens will work swimmingly with APS-C Nikon cameras such as the D500, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7100, D7200, and D7500. It isn’t going to be compatible with full-frame cameras, though. Keep this in mind before you make your purchasing decision. 

Overall, the value of this bundle makes it easy to recommend to most people. Some serious photographers will want something with a bit more power than this, but this is going to be able to do well for most people. If you consider yourself to be a photographer, but still want to be able to save some money, then this is a great camera lens to purchase. The other stuff that is bundled with this is good quality and you’re going to be able to use this lens to its full potential. 

Pros 

  • Comes with a large bundle of other stuff
  • Great value
  • Good compatibility with many Nikon DSLR cameras
  • Takes good pictures

Cons 

  • Not high end
  • Best for general use and shouldn’t be considered professional grade

3. Tamron 18-400 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens for Nikon F w/ Advanced Photo and Travel Bundle

Tamron is another company that offers many great travel lenses for cameras. This travel lens here is certainly no exception. It earns a spot on this list for being a pretty good value and for being a lens that offers great precision. You’re going to love how well this performs in many situations. 

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Since this is a kit that comes with an advanced photo and travel bundle, you’ll be getting several other things along with the lens. This helps to make the package an overall better deal and a lot of this stuff is really useful. You’ll be getting an Altura photo sling backpack, an Altura photo 72 mm filter kit, an Altura photo cleaning kit, and a premium microfiber cloth. This is good stuff and it definitely makes it easier to justify the price of the lens. 

Overall, this lens performs really nicely in a number of different situations. As mentioned earlier, this is a high-precision lens. It even spans an impressive range by being able to go from wide angle to super telephoto. This is meant to be an “all-in-one” type of lens that can take a variety of different shots. It’ll be great for taking wide-angle shots of beautiful vistas while also being able to do those close-up wildlife shots that you might be looking for. 

Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens for Nikon F w/Advanced Photo and Travel Bundle (Tamron 6 Year Limited USA Warranty) The versatility of this travel camera lens makes it a very worthwhile lens to take with you on vacation. It’s possible that you can take this with you and make it the only lens that you’ll need while you’re on your trip. It’s good enough to get the great shots that you’ve been wanting. This is also compact and lightweight enough to make carrying it around very practical. 

The compatibility of this camera lens is very good as well. This is compatible with APS-C Nikon cameras such as the D500, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D7100, D7200, and D7500. You’re going to be able to enjoy great clarity when using this lens. Give it a shot if you need a lens that can do it all. 

Pros 

  • Very versatile camera lens
  • Compatible with many Nikon DSLR cameras
  • Comes with a kit full of valuable items
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons 

  • A little soft in the middle zoom ranges

4. Nikon AF-S DX Nkr 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

Now, we’re taking a look at a travel camera lens from Nikon themselves. This one just comes with the lens, so you aren’t going to be getting any extras like the other travel lenses that have been featured on this list so far. Even so, this is a high-quality lens that is capable of getting great shots. This is designed to be an excellent lens to use in a number of different situations. 

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This lens has a focal length range of 18 to 200 mm. The minimum focus distance is 1.6 feet, making it a camera lens with a pretty wide range. You’re going to be able to get those close-up shots that you want while still being able to get good focus on wider shots. It makes it a very practical lens to take with you on vacation. 

You’ll also see that this camera travel lens makes use of two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. There are also three aspherical lens elements. You’re going to get very clear pictures when using this lens. It’s impressive to be able to enjoy such clarity from a travel lens such as this that is priced reasonably. 

AF-S DX Nkr 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II It’s also important to note that this travel lens is very lightweight. It doesn’t feel cumbersome to carry around, so it’s going to be easy enough to haul with you on vacation. The compact nature of this lens works in its favor when it comes to being recommended as a travel lens. The only downside is that the barrel is made out of plastic, so there might be some durability issues if you happen to drop this lens. 

Regardless, this is a great value that is going to give you amazing pictures. If you want to be able to take great quality shots without having to pay out too much of your hard-earned money, then this is a good fit. It isn’t inexpensive, but it isn’t as pricey as many of the high-end lenses either. This falls in a reasonable price range and is going to perform brilliantly for you. 

Pros 

  • Reasonably priced
  • Very versatile
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons 

  • Might have some durability issues if you drop it

5. Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens with Autofocus for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Finally, it’s time to take a look at one last offering from Nikon themselves. This is a very good travel camera lens that is going to appeal to people who want a versatile camera lens. This is another lens that is capable of going from wide-angle to super-telephoto zoom. It means that you won’t need to take two different travel lenses with you just to be able to get different types of shots. 

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The way that this camera lens works is remarkable. You’re going to be able to get very sharp images and everything is going to come in clearly. This is due to the balanced design of the lens and also the vibration reduction technology that is being used here. Both photos and videos are going to be sharper than ever when you make use of this travel camera lens.

It’s important to point out the fact that the autofocus works so well here, too. This is a very quiet autofocus that is going to minimize camera noise. This is quite important when you’re planning on shooting video, so it’s easy to recommend this lens to people with plans for that. The lens is capable of focusing really fast too, so you’ll be able to get things set up nicely and capture the shots that you’re aiming for. 

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras Being able to enjoy such vibrant colors and clear pictures is going to be nice. This camera lens actually isn’t too expensive either. It’s another Nikon camera lens that falls in the reasonable price range. It is a high-performance lens that is still going to be affordable enough to appeal to many consumers. It might not be inexpensive, but it isn’t unreasonably priced either. 

Consider this camera lens if you’re in need of something that will be able to take great shots at multiple distances. It has a great range and you’ll be able to really capture your vacation well if you buy this travel lens. It’s easy to recommend this camera lens to most people. 

Pros 

  • Versatile camera lens with great range
  • Really good and quiet autofocus 
  • Anti-vibration technology keeps camera lens steady
  • Capable of taking very sharp images

Cons 

  • Somewhat soft at the longer end
  • Might be difficult for novices to use 

Our Final Thoughts

After taking a deep look into the different travel lens options, you should see which lenses are going to appeal to you. There are several different types represented above and they all have their positive qualities. Depending on your needs, you might wind up preferring one of the lenses above the others. We recommend considering the [earnist_link ref=”nikon-af-s-dx-nikkor-18-300mm-f-3-5-6-3g-ed-vibration-reduction-zoom-lens-with-auto-focus-for-nikon-dslr-cameras” id=”13432″]Nikon AF-S DX nkr[/earnist_link] due to its versatility and overall reasonable price. 

You can truly go with any of the lenses that are listed above and get a very good experience. If you want something that comes with more stuff, then there are several options that include bundled items. Those who are looking for high-grade travel lenses for their Nikon cameras will also find several appealing choices. Take the time to choose the right one for you and then buy it before your next big trip.