Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 400mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 400mm
The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is widely praised for its versatile zoom range, sharp image quality, and excellent value for money. Users highlight its usefulness for wildlife, sports, and travel photography, though some note it is heavier than expected and the maximum aperture limits low-light performance. A few Sony users reported issues with image stabilization when paired with certain camera bodies, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- Versatile 50-400mm zoom range
- Sharp image quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good build quality
- Fast and quiet autofocus
Cons
- Heavier than expected
- Limited low-light performance due to small aperture
- Image stabilization issues with some Sony bodies
- Lens collar not included
- A bit dark compared to faster lenses
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its excellent optical performance, sturdy yet lightweight build, and fast autofocus. Users highlight its versatility as a workhorse zoom for both photo and video, with particular appreciation for the linear focus mode on compatible cameras. A few note the shallow depth of field is limited due to the Micro Four Thirds system, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent optical performance
- Sturdy yet lightweight build
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile zoom range
- Linear focus mode for video
Cons
- Limited shallow depth of field
- Focus-by-wire system not linear
- No built-in gear ring for cine use
- Slight chromatic aberration in high contrast
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 400mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 400 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 24 | 14 |
| Groups | 18 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 1 |
| Coating | BBAR-G2 | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 1.15 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 249 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD 400mm
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Strong bokeh (78th percentile)
- Below average build (24th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.