Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
What Buyers Say
Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
The Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and significant weight reduction compared to previous versions, making it a favorite among wildlife and bird photographers. However, a notable number of users report a serious image stabilization issue causing vertical blur at slower shutter speeds, particularly with the 5D Mark IV, which has led to frustration and some negative reviews. Other complaints include the flimsy included case, expensive replacement hood, and a few isolated quality control problems like stripped tripod foot screws and a failed front element coating.
Pros
- Exceptional image sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Significant weight reduction
- Good balance and handholdability
- Excellent with teleconverters
Cons
- Image stabilization blur at slow shutter speeds
- Flimsy included carrying case
- Expensive replacement lens hood
- Tripod foot screws stripped
- Front element coating failure
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Scores
Specifications
| Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | super-telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 600 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 600 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 17 | 20 |
| Groups | 13 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coatings | fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/4 | 4-7.1 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 3.05 kg | 0.59 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | USM | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5.5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 4.20 m | 190 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 | 1:2.8 |
Pros & Cons
Canon L EF 600mm f/4L IS III USM 600mm
- Strong stabilization (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average build (7th percentile)7th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm offers 52.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.