Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and excellent low-light performance. Users love its versatility for travel, video, and long exposures, often pairing it with other lenses in the budget trinity. A few note it's not as premium as the S-line or Nikon 14-30mm, but most agree it offers incredible value for the price.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent low-light performance
- Great value for money
- Versatile for travel and video
Cons
- Not as premium as S-line lenses
- Some prefer wider 14-30mm range
- Build not as exceptional as premium trinity
Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one walk-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its silent and smooth STM autofocus, effective image stabilization, and useful zoom range that covers wide-angle to short telephoto. While image quality is considered very good for a kit-level zoom, some reviewers note softness at extreme focal lengths, barrel distortion at 18mm, and a variable aperture that limits low-light performance. Build quality is described as mostly plastic but adequate, though the focus-by-wire manual ring and occasional stiff zoom ring draw criticism.
Pros
- Silent and smooth STM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 18-135mm zoom range
- Good image quality for a kit lens
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Softness at extreme focal lengths
- Barrel distortion at 18mm
- Variable aperture limits low-light use
- Focus-by-wire manual ring
- Plastic build feels cheap
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm | Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 28 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 16 |
| Groups | 11 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | Multi-Coated | Super Spectra Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/5.6 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.45 kg★ | 0.52 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Stepping Motor | NANO USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 390 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.26★ | 0.28x |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong bokeh (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong optical (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 9 of 22 specs.