Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VXD
An 8x zoom range from 50mm to 400mm in a single lens eliminates the need to swap optics, supported by a VXD linear motor for fast, quiet autofocus. Its 9.8-inch minimum focus distance at the wide end enables half-life-size macro magnification, adding close-up versatility uncommon in telephoto zooms. This lens is best for Sony E-mount shooters who need a single, travel-friendly solution for wildlife, sports, and detailed close-up work.
Focal length 50-400mm
Aperture f/4.5
Mount Sony E
stabilization Yes
Weather Sealed Yes
af type VXD
lens type telephoto
56 Overall Score
Price CA$0
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong versatility (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile) 80th
- Strong macro (78th percentile) 78th
- Strong build (70th percentile) 70th
Cons
- Below average optical (19th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 400 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | No |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | VXD |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 249 |
| Max Magnification | 1:2 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Yongnuo YN YN23mm F1.4S DA DSM | Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50-400mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 23mm | 85mm | 17-28mm |
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | - | 290 | 306 | 368 | 914 | 450 |
| AF Type | VXD | stepping motor | Autofocus | DSM digital stepping motor | Hyper STM | Stepping Motor |
| Lens Type | telephoto | zoom | zoom | prime | prime | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 VXD | 53.8 | 58.2 | 69.7 | 77.8 | 18.5 | 58.7 | 96.6 | 43.3 | 80 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85 | 83.6 | 84.8 | 89.8 | 81.2 | 85.6 | 78.5 | 90.7 | 34.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 83.6 | 84.1 | 49.5 | 85.8 | 85.6 | 80.6 | 86.6 | 96.7 |
| Yongnuo YN YN23mm F1.4S DA DSM Compare | 85 | 96.9 | 79.6 | 79.2 | 67.5 | 97.1 | 33.5 | 98.8 | 80 |
| Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II Compare | 85 | 98.3 | 44.2 | 92.4 | 72.7 | 97.1 | 33.5 | 78.4 | 80 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 85 | 88.3 | 73.8 | 84 | 87.6 | 85.6 | 67.8 | 69.3 | 34.8 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
