Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Tamron
77 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm

Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm

Nikon
91 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

85 out of 100 medium confidence 24 reviews

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
👍 Sharpness 6
👍 Build quality 5
👍 Autofocus performance 4
👍 Weight and portability 5
👍 Value for money 4
👎 Firmware compatibility 3

Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm

92 out of 100 medium confidence 11 reviews

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
👍 Image quality 8
👍 Build quality 5
👍 Value for money 6
👍 Low light performance 4
👍 Size and weight 5
👍 Versatility 5

Scores

Professional
Tamron
81
Nikon
88
Portrait
Tamron
81
Nikon
86
Macro
Tamron
80
Nikon
84
Budget
Tamron
71
Nikon
84
Street
Tamron
74
Nikon
82
Landscape
Tamron
78
Nikon
81
Video Cinema
Tamron
81
Nikon
81
Wildlife Sports
Tamron
61
Nikon
72
Travel
Tamron
64
Nikon
70

Specifications

Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
Optics
Typewide-anglezoom
Focal Length Min16 mm17 mm
Focal Length Max30 mm28 mm
Elements1613
Groups1211
Aspherical Elements33
ED Elements33
Coatingfluorine-coated front elementMulti-Coated
Aperture
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Min Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Constant✓✓
Diaphragm Blades99
Build
MountNikon ZNikon Z
Formatfull-framefull-frame
Weather Sealed✓✓
Weight0.44 kg★0.45 kg
Filter Thread67 mm67 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeVXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive)Stepping Motor★
Stabilization✗✗
Focus
Min Focus Distance190 mm190 mm
Max Magnification1:5.41:5.26

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)

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 (85th percentile)85th %ile
  • Below average stabilization (35th percentile)

Pricing

Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is CA$362 cheaper (1.3x less).

Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm

Verdict

★ Winner: Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm

Scores 91 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 1 of 21 specs.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalWildlife Sports

Also Consider