Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Sony G Master SEL1635GM2 16-35mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
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
Sony G Master SEL1635GM2 16-35mm
The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens earns strong praise for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful rendering, and versatile focal range, making it a favorite for landscape, astro, and event photography. Users consistently highlight the excellent build quality and fast autofocus, though many note the high price. A minority of owners report autofocus failures or hot pixel issues, and some feel the premium over competitors is not fully justified. Overall, it is widely regarded as a top-tier wide-angle zoom that delivers prime-like image quality.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness corner to corner
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Excellent build quality
- Versatile 16-35mm range with f/2.8
- Beautiful rendering and bokeh
Cons
- Very expensive
- Autofocus failure issues reported
- Some hot pixel problems
- Heavy and front-heavy on camera
- Minor distortion and vignette at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | Sony G Master SEL1635GM2 16-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 14 |
| Groups | 13 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 5★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Nano AR Coating II, Fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 11★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.59 kg | 0.55 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor | XD Linear Motors |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 220 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8★ | 0.32x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
Sony G Master SEL1635GM2 16-35mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong versatility (75th percentile)
- Strong build (67th percentile)
- Below average aperture (21st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD offers 4.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
