Best standard zoom lenses for Nikon F mount

Top pick: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR. It's the standard zoom that does the most for an F-mount body: a constant f/2.8 across the range, VR for handheld work in low light, and a fast silent-wave motor for quick, quiet autofocus. It's the one to buy if you shoot events, portraits or available light and want one lens to cover it.

Who the others suit:

• Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR — the DX-body choice: a wider, more useful everyday range (24-120mm equivalent) in a much lighter, smaller package, at the cost of a slower aperture at the long end and no weather sealing.
• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art — for full-frame shooters who want f/2.8 and stabilization for less outlay; heavier and a third-party option.
• Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 — the value full-frame f/2.8 with strong VC; a good pick if you'd rather put the difference into another lens.
• Nikon AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 — the light, cheap kit zoom for DX bodies: fine for travel and daylight, not for low light.

Check the mount version on each listing — the third-party zooms are sold in several mounts.