Tamron SP A025 70-200mm
Its 5-stop Vibration Compensation with three dedicated modes (including one for panning) steadies handheld shots, while the moisture-resistant build and fluorine coating protect against dust and smudges. Compatibility with optional teleconverters and the TAP-in Console adds focal-length flexibility and firmware customization rarely found at this price. This f/2.8 zoom is best for portrait photographers and event videographers needing reliable stabilization and constant aperture without the cost of first-party glass.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Score dropped from 73 to 50. New superzoom and telephoto competitors from Sigma, Tamron, Nikon, Panasonic, and Canon itself have pushed this lens out of the top 5. The slow f/7.1 aperture at the long end and soft corners hurt its standing. Only worth considering if found at a deep discount and used strictly in good light.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for a full-frame zoom 96th
- Effective image stabilization for handheld shooting 91th
- Useful 24-105mm focal range for general photography 79th
Cons
- Slow f/7.1 maximum aperture at 105mm limits low-light use and subject isolation
- Soft corners throughout much of the zoom range
- Plastic lens mount feels less durable than metal alternatives
- Outclassed by newer superzoom and telephoto options in both reach and sharpness
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 70 |
| Focal Length Max | 200 |
| Elements | 23 |
| Groups | 17 |
| Coating | eBAND Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 32 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 950 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.1 |
vs Competition
The competitive set has been completely reshuffled. The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS and Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD now dominate the all-in-one conversation with far greater reach and brighter apertures at equivalent focal lengths. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR redefines what a superzoom can cover, while the Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 and Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM offer sharper optics and more consistent performance across their ranges. The RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 simply cannot keep up with this group in versatility or image quality.
| Spec | Tamron SP A025 70-200mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | Sony E SELP1650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-200mm | 16-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 18-135mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | 32 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 1329 | 615 | 726 | 655 | 515 | 116 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | HLA | STM | linear motor | STM | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | telephoto | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamron SP A025 70-200mm | 55 | 8.6 | 17.7 | 37.6 | 91.2 | 5.5 | 63.8 | 79.4 | 66.9 | 96.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 55 | 85.6 | 57.6 | 86.4 | 98.9 | 78.8 | 0 | 99.6 | 77.9 | 99 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.2 | 79.7 | 50.1 | 81.6 | 97 | 73.3 | 0 | 98.9 | 83 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 87.2 | 53.9 | 22.4 | 95.9 | 85.1 | 91.6 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.2 | 76.8 | 45.9 | 32.9 | 79.5 | 78.8 | 0 | 96 | 77.9 | 92.3 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.2 | 76.8 | 93.5 | 34.9 | 63.5 | 78.8 | 63.8 | 83.5 | 74 | 92.3 |
Read more
Who Should Skip This
Anyone who shoots in less than ideal light or wants subject separation should look elsewhere. The f/7.1 aperture at the long end is a dealbreaker for indoor events, portraits, or any situation where you need faster shutter speeds without cranking the ISO. If you already own a Canon RF body and want a single-lens solution, the new third-party superzooms offer far more flexibility for a similar price.
Verdict
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM has slipped to a 50 out of 100, a 23-point drop that reflects a much tougher competitive field and a lens that now feels like it is coasting on the Canon name. The slow variable aperture limits creative control in anything but bright light, and the arrival of sharper, more versatile rivals makes this kit zoom harder to recommend. It still offers image stabilization and a useful focal range, but the value proposition has eroded significantly.
