15 Best Lenses For Nikon D500

Are you looking for the Best Lenses For Nikon D500? The Nikon D500 is a powerful DSLR with a wide array of features and capabilities, making it an ideal camera for experienced and amateur photographers alike. However, in order to fully utilize the camera’s capabilities and maximize your photography, an excellent lens is essential.

The right lens can transform your shots, and it can be a daunting task to choose the best lens for your needs. To make this decision easier for you, we have put together a list of the 15 best lenses for the Nikon D500.

1. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

This is a high-end lens for those that want to capture sharp images and videos. It comes equipped with a variety of features, including a unique Silent Wave Motor (SWM), Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements, and an advanced Nano Crystal Coat to reduce flare caused by light reflection. With a broad zoom range and wide aperture, this lens offers professional image quality and ideal shooting range.

Pros: Fast, silent autofocus; Silent Wave Motor; Super Integrated Coating; Extra-low Dispersion glass elements; advanced Nano Crystal Coat; broad zoom range.

Cons: It is quite expensive; heavy in weight

2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II

This lightweight telephoto lens is perfect for capturing subjects on the far end, such as birds and wildlife. It features an extra-low dispersion element which minimizes chromatic aberration and delivers incredibly sharp, vibrant images. Additionally, it is also equipped with vibration reduction technology to reduce camera shake. The lens also comes with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for silent autofocus and an ED glass element for improved sharpness.

Pros: Lightweight; Vibration Reduction (VR); Silent Wave Motor for quiet autofocus; Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; fast and efficient autofocus system.

Cons: Maximum aperture is not very wide; not the sharpest lens

3. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f3.5-6.3G ED VR

The Nikon 18-300mm is a superb all-in-one lens. Offering a huge range of focal length, this lens allows you to capture stunning close ups, wide angle shots and everything in between. It also features a Vibration Reduction (VR) system, which is ideal for hand-held shooting and will allow you to capture blur-free shots in low-light conditions. The lens also comes with an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element to ensure crystal clear images.

Pros: Huge range of focal lengths; Vibration Reduction (VR) system; Extra-low Dispersion (ED); silent autofocus system with Silent Wave Motor (SWM).

Cons: Maximum aperture is quite narrow; not the sharpest lens

4. Tokina AT-X 11-20 F2.8 PRO DX

The Tokina 11-20mm is one of the best wide angle lenses for the Nikon D500. Featuring fast f/2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range, this lens will enable you to capture stunning photos with beautiful background blur. It also comes with two Super Low Dispersion (SD) glass elements and an advanced multi-coat finish to reduce flare and ghosting.

Pros: Fast f/2.8 aperture; Super Low Dispersion glass elements; advanced multi-coat finish; excellent autofocus system; light in weight.

Cons: Expensive; not compatible with full-frame cameras

5. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM

The Sigma 18-35mm is a great all-purpose lens, offering excellent image quality and fast f/1.8 aperture across the entire zoom range. This lens also comes with two FLD and three Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and a super multi-layer coating, which ensures bright and clear images. Additionally, the lens also features a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), which allows for fast autofocus and smooth object tracking.

Pros: Fast f/1.8 aperture; Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM); FLD/SLD glass elements; superb image quality; silent autofocus.

Cons: Expensive; not compatible with full-frame cameras

6. Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

This is a great long-range telephoto lens, ideal for capturing wildlife and nature shots. It comes with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast, accurate autofocus and two FLD and two Special Low Dispersion glass elements for superior image quality. Additionally, the lens also has an advanced optical Stabilization system (OS), which minimizes the effect of camera shake.

Pros: Long-range telephoto; Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM); FLD/SLD glass elements; great image quality; advanced optical Stabilization system (OS)

Cons: Heavy in weight; not compatible with full-frame cameras

7. Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM

The 24-105mm is an excellent all-in-one lens for everyday shooting. It comes equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast and silent autofocus, four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and an advanced optical stabilization (OS) system. This lens also has a fast f/4 aperture which enables you to shoot in low light, and it allows you to capture stunning background blur.

Pros: Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM); Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements; advanced optical Stabilization system (OS); fast f/4 aperture; lightweight.

Cons: Expensive

8. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

The Nikon 24-70mm is the ideal lens for portraits, landscapes and everyday photography. It features an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness, two ED glass elements for maximum resolution and a super integrated coating for enhanced clarity. Additionally, the lens is also equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for silent operation and a vibration reduction (VR) system for beautiful blur-free images.

Pros: Silent Wave Motor (SWM); Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Super Integrated Coating; Vibration Reduction (VR); wide aperture for low light shooting.

Cons: Heavy in weight; expensive

9. Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

This is a great lens for landscape and architectural photography. It features an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior image quality, a Super Integrated Coating for enhanced clarity, Nano Crystal Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for silent autofocus. Additionally, it also has an ultra-wide zoom range which allows you to capture a variety of scenes.

Pros: Super Integrated Coating; Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Nano Crystal Coating; Silent Wave Motor (SWM); broad zoom range.

Cons: Not compatible with full-frame cameras; not the sharpest lens

10. Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6G VR

This is a great all-purpose lens that offers a good balance of features and affordability. It features a vibration reduction (VR) system to help minimize the effects of camera shake and a modern stepping autofocus motor which allows for fast and silent autofocus. Additionally, the lens also comes with a Super Integrated Coating for enhanced clarity, an extra-low dispersion (ED) element for improved sharpness and a broad zoom range for capturing different scenes.

Pros: Vibration Reduction (VR); stepping autofocus motor; Super Integrated Coating; Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element; broad zoom range.

Cons: Maximum aperture is not very wide; not the sharpest lens

11. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

This lens is the perfect all-rounder for the Nikon D500. It offers a broad range of features such as an extra-low dispersion (ED) element for improved sharpness, a Super Integrated Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for silent autofocus, and Vibration Reduction (VR) system. Additionally, it also has an impressive 7.8x zoom range and a fast f/3.5 aperture.

Pros: Vibration Reduction (VR); Silent Wave Motor (SWM); Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Super Integrated Coating; 7.8x zoom range; fast f/3.5 aperture.

Cons: Maximum aperture is quite narrow; not the sharpest lens

12. Tamron AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD

The Tamron 70-200mm is another great all-rounder for the Nikon D500. It comes with two extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements and one Low Dispersion (LD) element to reduce chromatic aberration and deliver superior sharpness. Additionally, it also has an advanced multi-coat finish to minimize flare and ghosting, a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for fast, quiet autofocus and an impressive f/2.8 aperture to enable low-light shooting.

Pros: Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM); Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Low Dispersion (LD) element; advanced multi-coat finish; fast f/2.8 aperture.

Cons: Heavy in weight; not the sharpest lens

13. Sony-Zeiss FE 24-70mm f/4

The Sony-Zeiss 24-70mm is a great all-purpose lens for the Nikon D500. It offers a broad zoom range, fast autofocus with a linear motor and extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness. Additionally, it also has a state-of-the-art Zeiss T* coating to reduce flare and ghosting, and an impressive f/4 aperture which enables you to capture stunning background blur.

Pros: Linear Motor autofocus; Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Zeiss T* coating; fast f/4 aperture; wide zoom range.

Cons: Expensive; not compatible with full-frame cameras.

14. Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED

This is an ideal lens for close-up and macro photography. It comes with an advanced multi-layer coating to reduce flare and ghosting and an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness. Additionally, the lens also has a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast and silent autofocus and a fast f/2.8 aperture which enables you to capture beautiful background blur.

Pros: Silent Wave Motor (SWM); Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; advanced multi-layer coating; fast f/2.8 aperture; lightweight.

Cons: Not compatible with full-frame cameras; not the sharpest lens

15. Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

The Nikon 85mm is the ideal lens for portrait and wedding photography. It has a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast, silent autofocus and an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element for superior sharpness. Additionally, it also has an advanced vibration reduction (VR) system to minimize the effects of camera shake and a fast f/3.5 aperture to enable low-light shooting.

Pros: Silent Wave Motor (SWM); Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements; Vibration Reduction (VR) system; fast f/3.5 aperture; lightweight.

Cons: Expensive; not the sharpest lens.

Final Thoughts On Best Lenses For Nikon D500

Choosing the best lens for the Nikon D500 can be a daunting task. There are a variety of lenses available, each with its own unique range of features and capabilities. To make the decision easier for you, we have put together a list of the 15 best lenses for the Nikon D500. Whether you are looking for a lens for close–up and macro photography, a wide–angle lens for landscapes, or a telephoto lens for wildlife and sports photography, we are sure you will find the right lens for your needs.