Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Sigma Art 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro 105mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is widely praised for its sharpness, versatile zoom range, constant aperture, and effective stabilization, making it an excellent all-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users appreciate its solid build quality and value for money, though many note it is noticeably heavier and larger than typical kit lenses, which can feel unbalanced on smaller camera bodies. A few reviewers mention minor issues like chromatic aberration at the longer end and noise from the aperture blades at certain settings, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- sharp image quality across zoom range
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- effective image stabilization
- fast and quiet autofocus
- versatile 17-70mm focal range
Cons
- heavy and large for APS-C body
- chromatic aberration at 50-70mm
- aperture blade noise above f/5.6
- short zoom throw initially stiff
- no aperture ring on Fuji version
Sigma Art 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro 105mm
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro Art lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and versatile macro-to-portrait performance. Many users highlight its solid build and value, though some note slow autofocus, noisy HSM motor, and occasional focusing issues in macro or low-contrast situations. A few mention compatibility quirks with IBIS and a warm color tone, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Beautiful bokeh
- Versatile macro and portrait
- Solid build quality
- Good value for money
Cons
- Slow autofocus in macro
- Noisy HSM motor
- Focus hunting in low contrast
- IBIS compatibility issues
- Warm color tone
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Sigma Art 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro 105mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 105 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 105 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 17 |
| Groups | 12 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg★ | 0.71 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 305 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8 | 1:1 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Sigma Art 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro 105mm
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
