10 Best Lenses for Nikon D3200 – Solution For Everyone

Are you a person who likes to capture memories and cherish them forever? Old photographs are a way to relive the past and revisit some of the golden memories. Nowadays, photography is slowly becoming a significant part of a person’s life due to continuous digital automation. Whether you are traveling or going to a friend’s birthday party, photography will be a focal point. If you own a Nikon D3200 camera, then we are sure you will have the best picture quality. However, it is essential to find the best lenses for Nikon D3200 to make your photographs seem as realistic and high-quality as possible. 

If you are a photographer, then it is super important to invest in the best quality lens. A professional lens for Nikon D3200 can do wonders in enhancing your work quality and make you capture breath-taking moments with clarity. A lens is the focal within a camera as it helps you see through the viewfinder and focus on an image by altering light intensity. The best lens can make even an average camera perform to its maximum. However, a poor lens can make the best camera mediocre and ruin the photograph quality.  

In this article, we will let you know about the best lenses for Nikon D3200 and what ranges fit best. If you are a wedding, travel, or wildlife photographer, we are confident you will benefit from this article the most. We will cover everything you need to know about Nikon camera lenses, from focal length to aperture. Finally, we will mention some of the basic yet essential factors to consider when buying lenses for Nikon D3200. Are you ready for some powerful lens suggestions to take your photography game up several notches? Let’s begin! 

Best Nikon D3200 Lenses for Low Light 

If you are looking to buy a lens for a Nikon D3200 camera then you must consider its 1.5x crop factor which is constant for all the cameras from Nikon. Therefore, you will have to find a lens that fulfils the void and compensates for the crop factor. The crop factor makes the full frame 1.5x less that most people may not like. Hence, an appropriate lens can compensate for it and add more depth to the camera performance.  

If you are looking for the best lens that fits Nikon D3200 perfectly then we think it is essential to go for a 35mm to 85mm lens as it is perfect to enhance the quality and has moderate field capturing ability. It is also essential to focus on other factors that we have already discussed above. 

Comparison chart for the 10 Best Lenses for Nikon D3200- Choose what suits you! 

1. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm– Best Budget Choice:

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/1.8G
• Lens type: Standard  
• Min. focal length: 35mm 

Why we like it? 

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35 mm lens is one of the best ones available within the market and we are sure you will be impressed by its 35 mm focal length. It is a lightweight prime lens that works wonders to enhance your photography game. You will be astonished at how brighter it makes the image appear and its sharp focus. 

It has f/1.8 aperture which a user can adjust up to 22 which allows them to take a superzoom and wide-angle images or videos. The lens provides users with liberty to take photos in the daylight and also low light settings. It provides maximum versatility to capture nature, normal life and wildlife. Its eight elements in a six-group lens type is fantastic. It also has a silent wave motor auto focus to take clear photos. 

What’s noteworthy in this f/1.8 Nikon D3200 lens is its DX format support! You can expect nothing better than the photos capture by this prime lens with its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture and its classic ‘’Normal’’ angle of view on-board. The secret behind the beautiful pictures captured with this Nikon AF-S is the dramatic blurred effect backed up by the complete depth-of-control- portraits and subject isolation is not a dream anymore! 

It has DX and FX compatible modes which makes it super easy to take cropped images. Overall, it adds more depth to the photography enabling users to take both wide-angle and zoom photos. We love how it is affordable yet functional one. 

2. Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm– Best Telephoto Lens:

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/1.8G
• Lens type: Telephoto/Nikon FX 
• Min. focal length: 85mm 

Why we like it? 

The Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm lens is one of the best ones available in the market with a medium telephoto lens. Do you love to capture the adorable close shots but not a fan of getting near to your subjects? This Nikon 85mm lens has the perfect telephoto zoom that will do the job! It is an 85mm focal length lens with a minimum 0.80 meters field. We love how it has a fast aperture and has Nikon Super Integrated Coating. 

A feature that makes this Nikon AF-S 85mm lens stands out of the rest is the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) which further equips the 7 diaphragm blades to capture what you love and adore! On the top of all, an M/a Focus Mode Switch let you adjust the filter attachments. The filter attachment size for this 85mm lens is 67mm. 

On the other hand, there are many fans of the ‘’Bokeh effect’’ of this Nikon 85mm lens which isolates the subject to make it look distinct and extraordinary. This feature helps food photographers to keep their hand on this masterpiece from Nikon! 

A wide aperture size means you can get as many details as possible from a subject which is quite far away from the lens and can take a quick shot without altering the ISO settings- isn’t it time saving? An AF-S focus system enables the fast and silent lock-on. 

The lens is high quality with f/1.8 that ensures that it can take better wide-angle shots. We love how you can focus on the object within a field or take the whole area in focus. It focuses faster and takes the best shots in different kinds of lighting. It is a fixed lens with auto focus, perfect for a beginner. 

3. Nikon AF S Nikkor 50mm– Best for Portraits: 

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/1.8G
• Lens type: Standard  
• Min. focal length: 50mm 

Why we like it? 

The Nikon AF S Nikkor 50mm is amongst the best lens choice list due to its 35mm picture and 50mm focal length. The focal length is ideal for people to take sharp and vibrant photos. In addition, it has a minimum 1.48 feet focus distance.  Additionally, every day’s standard portraits and cinematic shots you take will experience a definite upgrade right away. If you’re the one who understands the DX formats more precisely, then the focal length equals to 75mm on those formats. 

What makes it super friendly to your DSLR lens and indeed a great choice as a professional photographer is the AF-S NIKKOR setup offering fast and easy lock-on. 

Are you a fan of shallow depth of field and a bokeh effect for the nearby subjects? If so, you’ll not regret this AF-S NIKKOR 50mm lens. Additionally, the NIKON promises to deliver brilliant light and enough pixel sharpness via this 50mm lens; no matter what light conditions are prevailing outside. 

It has an optimized sharpness mode due to its compatibility with DX and SX format. It has a 58 mm filter thread and also autofocus to keep filming without adjusting focus. The f/1.8G aperture works best to provide sharp results.  

Nikon has a silent wave motor that works exceptionally well for quiet autofocus with high speed and precision. It works best for outdoor photography and performs commendably in natural light. In addition, it has an aspherical lens element that diversifies its functions. 

4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm– Super Integrated Coating: 

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/4.5-5.6 G
• Lens type: Nikon DX  
• Min. focal length: 200mm 

Why we like it? 

There are many things we like about the NIKKOR 55-200mm lens, but of all, it has a telephoto lens. Thus, it helps in zooming on a particular object while maintaining sharpness. In addition, it has a SIC technology that helps reduce lens flare and make colours appear sharper along with the 3.7 feet minimum focus distance and 28° maximum angle of view. 

Super Integrated Coating is not a part of many lenses in the market, but the Nikon AF-S have it for you! This SIC technology is integrated to cater the 55-200mm and get the maximum action out of this lens. A reduced ghosting and minimal lens flare back up the high image quality of this Nikon lens and make it ideal choice in every section or field. 

It has an ED (Extra-low Distortion) technology which helps in eliminating optical distortion. As a result, the scenery or background not in focus appears more natural. We love how the lens has low light performance ability and vibration reduction technology. You can take great photos and videos by holding a camera in hand. 

The last but not the least is the Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) feature that has got the attention of professionals! This VR image stabilization not only offers the 4.0 stops of blur free shooting but assures you of the dramatically sharp visuals. Many of you will be amazed to know that this Nikon 85-200mm lens not only provides quality in still images but captures the blur-free handheld steadier HD video shots, even in low light! 

5. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm – Best Zoom Photos

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/4.5-5.6 G
• Lens type: NIKON DX 
• Min. focal length: 300mm 

Why we like it? 

NIKKOR 55-300mm lens is the ideal choice to capture ample details due to its focal length and 5×5 telephoto zoom lens. In addition, it has a snap-on cap and 2 ED elements to increase picture quality to the fullest. It also has an image stabilization element, which helps in capturing images with clarity. 

The top feature that let the photographers idealize this DX NIKKOR 55-300mm lens to capture the super-far away details with high sharpness is the “Super-Telephoto Technology”. This compact body lens with f/4.5-5.6G ED is equipped with the High Refractive Index (HRI) to capture the far-off detail. The brilliants feature never come to an end for this AF-S DX NIKKOR as it further has the two extra-low distortion glass elements (ED) to bring the far away action close and sharp enough. 

The ED technology helps in getting rid of any optical distortions making the image more vibrant and livelier. Its telephoto focus makes it a prime macro lens for Nikon D3200. In addition, it has a high reflective index that adds transparency to the images. 

The last but not the least is the Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) technology which stabilizes the image and provides a 3.0 stops of blur free handheld shooting. This number is a bit less than our previous DX NIKKOR 55-200mm lens but assure you of the HD video capture and brilliant stills. 

Some additional features to capture the quality images and stunning stills includes the minimized ghosting, less flare on the lens and ultra-quiet auto-focus operations. The Nikon has the integrated the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) functionality in this AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm lens making it an ideal choice for action photography. 

6. TOKINA 11-16mm AT-X116 Pro DX II– Best Wide Zoom Lens:

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/2.8 AT-X116 
• Lens type: Wide Angle 
• Min. focal length: 16mm 

Why we like it? 

The predecessor or the Version I from Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 was a brilliant masterpiece in the field of photography and now comes AT-X116 Pro DX II which has some major changes in the internal assembly. This DX II version doesn’t require any Nikon DSLR with AF drive motor to autofocus the lens to capture the brilliance of nature around you. Utilizing the Internal Silent Focusing Motor; this Tokina 11-16mm lens got you covered with D3200 camera from Nikon and can easily fit on! 

The Tokina 16mm lens is one of the best ones available within the market due to its f/2.8 aperture. It makes it the best wide-angle lens and aids in capturing great scenic beauty with the maximum inflow of light. The very first attraction to photographers regarding the ultra-wide zoom is the ultra-wide focal length. Thus, this Tokina X116 Pro DX II has a smaller full frame image to work best with the APS-C/1.6x/1.5x DSLRs. 

Tokina never stops to impress its users! That’s where the wide maximum aperture f/2.8 comes into use.  The lens can capture the stills and stop the actions better than the competitors in the low-light conditions. What’s on the top of the list for this wide-angle lens is the fixed maximum aperture for every zoom range. 

Additional features that help Tokina AT-X116 Pro DX to find a place in our best Nikon 3200 lens list includes the multi-layer coating, 77mm filter thread and APS-C Sensors. The capture image from Tokina 11-16mm will have the corners a bit soft and sharp centre with maximum f/2.8 aperture. However, regarding the focus, Tokina never comes with the FTM (Full Time Manual) Focus on-board. 

It is extremely high-quality and comes with three years of warranty. It has two low dispersion elements, making it the best one at hand to avoid optical distortion. It also has two aspheric to avoid lens flare and ghosting.  

7. Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM 

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/1.8 Art DC HSM
• Lens type: Wide Angle  
• Min. focal length: 35mm 

Why we like it? 

Sigma 18-55mm lens is one of the best ones to achieve wide-angle with its f/1.8 aperture. There are many astonishing things about this lens, but we love how it is compatible with the APS-C sensor. The lens also works well with 27mm, 35mm, and 52.5mm cameras. In addition, it has a wide glass aspherical lens that helps bring more clarity and sharpness to the image. 

The SLD (special low dispersion) glass moulded with an aspherical lens is perfect for spherical aberrations and helps in bringing more optical clarity. It also has a self-zooming and focusing element, making it more functional and usable for different kinds of photography situations. You can capture the brilliant stills of landscapes, and wildlife.

An additional feature that captures the attention of photographers and cinematography lovers includes the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) which not only promises the smooth, fast but precise auto-focused shots. In addition, it has a 9-blade diaphragm that helps in blurring the background and achieve the bokeh effect. 

The lens also has a Thermal Composite Material (TSC), which is a lightweight material and reduces the overall lens’ size and further helps in enhancing its durability. In addition, it has a sharp focus which helps in taking near and far away images perfectly. 

10. Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm– Ideal for Sharp Images:

Specifications:

• Focal length: f/2.8G Close Up
• Lens type: Close Up lens/Macro 
• Min. focal length: 40mm 

Are you looking for a Maco lens but with a longer angle field of view? If so, Nikon AF-S DX has got your back. The Nikon 40mm lens is excellent for macro photography with its 1.0x maximum reproduction ratio. Furthermore, it has a compact and lightweight lens ideal for traveling as it provides the portability factor. In addition, its 64 inches autofocus allows a person to take super sharp and zoomed-in images. 

Again, no one wants to hold a mega lens in the name of a Macro lens. Thus, this Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor has the compact size, and the dimension are 2.7 by 2.5 inches. Additionally, the lens weighs only 9.9 ounces making it super-friendly for the professionals. 

It has a close-range correction system that helps in keeping the image clarity intact even when super zoomed. The silent wave motor is also one of its specialties that helps in zooming to the maximum quietly. It has 0.53 feet minimum focal distance for excellent macro photography. 

A downside for this lens is it contains no perfect stabilization feature. But the angle of view meets the number of 38 degrees with a distance indicator 0.53 feet to infinity. Isn’t worth investing in? Close range correction system (CRC) has got the eyes if every professional stuck at this Nikon AF-S which offers clear and sharp visuals in every macro shot. 

Recommended Nikon D3200 lenses 

Type	Camera	Why choose?
Best Nikon D3200 Lenses for Low Light	Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm	Cheapest
Nikon AF S NIKOOR 85mm	Telephoto lens
Nikon AF S Nikkor 50mm	Best portraits
Best Nikon D3200 Action Lenses	Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm	Super Integrated coating
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm	Telephoto zoom
Best Nikon D3200 Wide Angle Lenses	TOKINA 11-16mm AT-X116 Pro DX II	Wide zoom
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM	Best images
Best Nikon D3200 Travelling Lenses	Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM	Zoom-macro photography
Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM	Rear focus system
Best Nikon D3200 Macro Lenses	Nikon AF-S DX Mico NIKKOR 40mm	Sharp images

Our Buyer’s Guide- Choosing the Best Lenses for Nikon D3200:

If you are passionate about photography and want to pursue it as a career, we think the Nikon D3200 is the best one to practice with. Many features make Nikon D3200 at the top of our list, but most of all its 4fps, 24-megapixel camera, and bright color contrast make it one of the best photography. 

However, one thing you must evaluate before getting a lens is what you need it for. For example, do you want to buy the best video lens for Nikon D3200, or do you want it for portraits? In this section, we will let you know a few features that will ultimately help you decide which camera lens you want to buy. 

Factors to look for while buying best Nikon D3200 Lenses:

• Types of lenses 

If you make your first lens purchase, you may not know that there are various types of lenses. The market is diversified and has various kinds of lenses that serve different purposes. For example, some lenses may work better for night photography, while some work the best in maximum light. There are two main types of lenses if we go for a simple explanation: zoom lens and prime lens. Both of these lenses serve a different purpose and work for taking a diversified picture. However, your photography skills and your taste determine which one you will choose. 

• Zoom lens 

If you are unaware, zoom lenses are in high demand, especially if you are a professional photographer. It consists of varying kinds of glasses, each stacked to enhance the lens’s zooming capabilities. As a result, you can achieve different focal lengths from a single lens and take diverse pictures with total clarity. It is a great lens to add to your kit if you want to alleviate your photography game. It is more flexible and can be used to capture bright and clear images. However, the multiple glass layering makes it heavy and not easy to travel with. 

• Prime lens 

The prime lens is also one of the lenses most people buy to enhance the image’s sharpness and alleviate clarity. However, you cannot expect variety from the prime lens as it has one focal length, making it faster to set the frame and take multiple photos. It is fast and rapid to take brilliant images and make them look as true to reality as possible. One of the best things about a prime lens is that it enhances sharpness and is very portable. However, it lacks variety and does not allow varying focal lengths. 

• Telephoto lens 

A telephoto lens will be your best friend if you are looking to do excellent still-life photography. There are different kinds of telephoto lenses, but they all help focus on an object far away on the field. They can isolate the thing and capture it with precision. A telephoto lens is like a telescope that focuses on faraway objects like planets, but it has a narrow field. You can see a telephoto lens in action on sports channels where a particular player is zoomed in from far away. Unfortunately, telephoto lenses are super expensive, heavy, and large. Hence, it is crucial to think deeply before investing in a telephoto lens. 

• Standard lens 

If you are new in the photography field or your professional job requires filming, we suggest investing in a standard lens. A standard lens is a little bit of everything and helps in enhancing the outcome. It has a medium focal length that may vary between 35mm to 85mm. It also has a zoom feature that lets you take a wider angle, large frame, and full-frame photos. It is a versatile lens that you can use from various kinds of photography. 

• Wide-angle lens 

Wide-angle lenses are a lifesaver for people who are travel vloggers or into filming. It is one of the best kinds of lenses for professional videography, where you want to fit everything into a single frame. One of the best things to note about the lens is that everything is focused, and it captures sharp videos. You can also use it for making street videos and capturing landscape montages. The wide-angle lens is best to keep everything in focus and enhances sharpness automatically. However, the focus can ruin when the subject is way too close to the lens. 

• Macro lens 

Macro lenses are not that popular, and people do not buy them for commercial use. However, if you are a wildlife and nature photographer, you will love the macro lens. It is a combination of different glasses that allows a person to take super zoomed-in images of insects, butterflies, etc. The lens construction allows a photographer to capture an immense amount of detail in a single image. However, these kinds of lenses are super vast and expensive. Hence, a person must research before they buy the macro lens. 

• Depth of the field 

The depth of the field is also one of the features that one should focus on when purchasing the lens. It depends upon the type of camera you are using and also the maximum aperture. It helps control the amount of image in focus and is one of the best tools for a photographer. When capturing things such as landscapes, you can focus where you want the maximum attention and blur out the rest of the items. It helps in adding depth and sharpness to your image or video. 

• Aperture 

Every lens has a lot of features, but the most important feature has to be the aperture. Aperture is the opening within a lens that allows the light to flow naturally and create focus lengths in a specific picture frame. F-stops are how you calculate the aperture and its intensity with the lens. The higher the aperture number, the smaller is the opening and vice versa. The smaller opening makes the camera focus more on the object you want. On the other hand, a large opening means a shallow field, and the focus is not on a small or unified thing. 

• Maximum aperture 

Aperture is not the only thing to consider when buying the camera lens as it is super essential for a person to consider maximum aperture. Maximum aperture is the total extent to which the lens can open and let the light in. If you want a larger maximum aperture, it will cost you way more than a small aperture one. However, if you plan to become a nightlife photographer and shoot in low light, a higher maximum aperture will be your best friend. You do not have to focus on it much if you shoot in natural light. 

• Focal length 

Focal length is probably one of the things most people are aware of and the first thing they notice. The focal length is the distance between image sensor recording and lens convergence. It is usually measured in millimeters and the first thing mentioned in the lens description. One of the things that you must remember about the focal length is the lesser the number, the wider the field would be, and the larger the number, the narrower the field. Usually, people go for a 35mm to 85 mm focal length lens for everyday photography.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What type of lens does the Nikon D3200 use? 

There are many lenses with which the Nikon D3200 is compatible, but you have to make sure that you use a lens with a 1.5x focal length, which is equivalent to 35mm. The rest of the choice depends upon the person if they want macro, zoom, prime lens, etc.   

Is the Nikon D3200 still a good camera? 

Yes, Nikon D3200 is an excellent 24-megapixel camera with various functions that people can use to take different kinds of pictures. However, you do need a good lens to go with the camera for better photography and videography. 

What Nikon lens do professional photographers use? 

You have to define which kind of photographers you are talking about. There are wedding photographers who use a considerable focal length and moderate aperture lens, while some use zoom-cameras with less focal length for still and wildlife photography.