Tamron Di III 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one travel lens that delivers impressive sharpness and fast autofocus for its price. Users love its lightweight design and the ability to cover wide-angle to telephoto without swapping lenses, though some note slower AF on older bodies and a few report manual focus or durability issues. Overall, it's considered an excellent value for Sony full-frame shooters.
Pros
- Versatile all-in-one zoom range
- Lightweight and compact design
- Excellent image sharpness
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Great value for money
Cons
- Autofocus issues on older bodies
- Manual focus ring non-functional on some units
- Slower autofocus compared to native Sony lenses
- Softness at the long end
- 28mm wide end not wide enough for some
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its excellent optical performance, sturdy yet lightweight build, and fast autofocus. Users highlight its versatility as a workhorse zoom for both photo and video, with particular appreciation for the linear focus mode on compatible cameras. A few note the shallow depth of field is limited due to the Micro Four Thirds system, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent optical performance
- Sturdy yet lightweight build
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile zoom range
- Linear focus mode for video
Cons
- Limited shallow depth of field
- Focus-by-wire system not linear
- No built-in gear ring for cine use
- Slight chromatic aberration in high contrast
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 200 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 18 | 14 |
| Groups | 14 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.57 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD stepping motor★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:3.1★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD offers 1.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
