Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm
Meike
63 Overall Score
vs
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Tamron
92 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm
No customer feedback yet
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
82 out of 100 medium confidence 16 reviews
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Zoom range 12
Image quality 10
Autofocus speed 6
Build quality 8
Weight and size 7
Close focusing 5
Scores
Budget
Portrait
Travel
Macro
Landscape
Video Cinema
Wildlife Sports
Professional
Street
Specifications
| Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 12 | 19 |
| Groups | 10 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| Coating | Multilayer Coatings | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.8 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.40 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM★ | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 350 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.7 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong social proof (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Strong macro (66th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm0.157score per dollar
vs
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD0.113score per dollar
Meike MK-3518FFSTM-L 35mm offers 1.4x better value for money
Verdict
Winner: Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Scores 92 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
