I bought the 55-300 online from Adorama with the kit (cleaning brushes, UV filter etc.) Price was $365. Nikon just released it in September, so the price may go down. I've only taken a couple of shots with it. I think it's a bit faster than the 55-200, and I really like the extra zoom. Plus it has a metal mount, not plastic like the 200. I broke the 18-55 plastic mount kit lens off taking a spill in Montana in July. The only downside so far for the 300 is that it's wide open at f4.5 at 55mm, as opposed to f4 for the 200. I have a 50mm f1.4 for a low light portrait lens, so that's not a big deal for me.