Tamron Di III A046 17-28mm
Weighing just 420g, this is the lightest f/2.8 wide-angle zoom for full-frame Sony E-mount, making it a standout for handheld gimbal work without sacrificing a constant fast aperture. The exceptionally quiet RXD stepping motor and moisture-resistant construction make it a discreet, durable choice for run-and-gun video shooters. This lens is best for travel and landscape photographers who prioritize a compact kit and can pair it seamlessly with the 28-75mm F/2.8 for a versatile two-lens setup.
Snapshot
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202692/100
Buyers praise the lens as sharp, lightweight, and affordable, ideal for landscapes and architecture. It offers excellent value versus pricier alternatives.
- Sharp image quality throughout zoom range, with good color and contrast.
- Lightweight and compact design, easy to carry for walk-around use.
- Excellent value at less than half the price of comparable GMaster lenses.
- No lens profile yet in Lightroom, but expected soon; minor distortion fixable in post.
- Q2 202293/100
Buyers praised the lens for its wide-angle capability, sharp image quality, and fast autofocus, with one noting a missing software item.
- Excellent wide-angle lens for landscapes and events.
- Sharp, vibrant images with fast autofocus.
- Lightweight build with high-quality glass.
- One buyer reported missing editing software from bundle.
- Q4 2021100/100
Buyers praised the lens for being light, sharp, and affordable, with no reported issues even in challenging environments like the beach.
- Lightweight and sharp image quality at a good price.
- No dust or water spray issues when used on the beach.
- No soft edges or image quality problems noted.
- Overall satisfaction and meeting user needs perfectly.
- Q3 202180/100
Buyers praised the lens as a great budget option for Sony video and vlogging, with fast autofocus and compact size, but one reviewer found it less sharp than a Canon lens.
- Excellent cost-benefit for Sony system, especially for video and vlogging.
- Fast and accurate autofocus, quiet operation, and compact size.
- One reviewer reported lower sharpness compared to Canon 10-22mm on different bodies.
- Not recommended for small space real estate photos, but good for other uses.
- Q2 2021100/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, autofocus, and versatility in video, landscape, and real estate. The package deal and flash were also well received.
- Excellent sharpness, color, contrast, and autofocus performance.
- Versatile for video, landscape, wildlife, street, and real estate.
- Great value as a package deal with helpful service from Adorama.
- Solid build and nice light output from the included flash.
- Q1 202197/100
Buyers praise this lens as a daily driver with IQ rivaling Sony's GM, at a much lower cost. It's lightweight, gimbal-friendly, and distortion-free.
- Image quality equals or approaches Sony GM lens.
- Excellent value, significantly cheaper than Sony alternative.
- Lightweight and compact, ideal for gimbal use.
- Versatile daily driver with minimal distortion.
- Q4 2020100/100
All four reviewers are extremely satisfied, praising sharpness, color, and value versus Sony/Zeiss alternatives.
- Excellent image quality with sharpness and vibrant colors.
- Great value compared to pricier Sony and Zeiss lenses.
- Lightweight and durable build, though one notes a cheap plastic feel.
- Works well with Sony autofocus and enables new real estate shots.
- Q3 202095/100
Buyers praise the lens for being sharp, lightweight, and affordable, especially for real estate and landscape photography.
- Sharp image quality and lightweight design are consistently highlighted.
- Great value compared to Sony GM lens, with similar performance at lower cost.
- Versatile for real estate, landscape, and car photography.
- Compatible with existing Tamron filters and Sony IBIS, reducing need for OSS.
- Q4 201995/100
Buyers praise this lens as a sharp, lightweight, and affordable ultra-wide zoom that rivals the Sony GM at a fraction of the cost. It pairs well with the Tamron 28-75mm and is ideal for travel, landscape, and gimbal video work.
- Excellent value and sharpness compared to Sony 16-35 GM
- Lightweight and compact, great for travel and gimbal use
- Pairs perfectly with Tamron 28-75mm for a complete kit
- Plastic build and reversed zoom/focus ring may feel cheap to some
- Q3 201992/100
Buyers praise the lens for its sharpness, lightweight build, and value. Some note limited zoom range and distortion at 17mm, but overall it's highly recommended for landscape and astrophotography.
- Excellent image quality, sharpness, and minimal aberration.
- Lightweight and compact, ideal for travel and gimbal use.
- Great value compared to Sony and Sigma alternatives.
- Zoom range is narrow; some find 28mm restrictive for general use.
Based on 70 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Coating | fluorine coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | RXD |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 190 |
| Max Magnification | 0.19-0.17x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Tamron Di III A046 17-28mm | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17-28mm | 18-50mm | 17-28mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 420 | 290 | 450 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | RXD | stepping motor | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamron Di III A046 17-28mm | 53.9 | 87 | 76.9 | 45.2 | 44.6 | 83.9 | 80.9 | 68 | 96.1 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.8 | 81.8 | 86 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 83.9 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 89.8 | 36.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 86.8 | 87 | 75.2 | 85.8 | 88.2 | 83.9 | 91.2 | 68 | 69.8 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 81.8 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 83.9 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.5 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.4 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.3 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.8 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.8 | 98.5 | 67.4 | 38.5 | 82.2 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 89.8 | 36.8 |