Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 lens is highly praised for astrophotography and landscape work, with users noting excellent sharpness, fast autofocus, and solid build quality. The infinity lock and programmable function button are standout features, though some users mention a rendering change at 30mm and the need for firmware updates on Nikon Z cameras. Overall, it is seen as a great value alternative to native lenses, especially for its lightweight design and consistent f/2.8 aperture.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Solid build quality
- Infinity lock for astrophotography
Cons
- Rendering change at 30mm f/2.8
- Requires firmware update for Nikon Z cameras
- Limited documentation included
- Distortion at 16mm for people photos
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 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 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 30 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| Coating | fluorine-coated front element | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.44 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.4★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 16-30mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong aperture (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong macro (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average social proof (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong optical (86th percentile)86th %ile
Verdict
Scores 95 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.