Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 lens is highly praised for astrophotography and landscape work, with users noting excellent sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build quality. The infinity lock and programmable function button are standout features, though some users mention a rendering change at 30mm and the need for firmware updates on Nikon Z cameras. Overall, it is seen as a great value alternative to native lenses, especially for its lightweight design and consistent f/2.8 aperture.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Solid build quality
- Infinity lock for astrophotography
Cons
- Rendering change at 30mm f/2.8
- Requires firmware update for Nikon Z cameras
- Limited documentation included
- Distortion at 16mm for people photos
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
- Not ideal for low light photography
- Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
- Some copies may have quality control issues
- Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 16 |
| Groups | 12 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| Coating | fluorine-coated front element | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.44 kg | 0.33 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.4★ | 0.29x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong aperture (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong macro (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average social proof (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 2.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
