Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS 400mm
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS 400mm
The Sony 400-800mm lens is praised for its sharpness and fast autofocus, often outperforming the 200-600mm. However, it is heavy, front-heavy, and requires fast shutter speeds and good light due to the F8 aperture. A significant concern is a reported crack in the fluorine coating not covered by warranty, leading to frustration.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Outperforms 200-600mm
- Internal focusing
- Great for wildlife photography
Cons
- Heavy and front-heavy
- F8 aperture limits low-light use
- Requires fast shutter speeds
- Warranty does not cover coating cracks
- Expensive extended warranty needed
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
The Tamron 18-300mm superzoom is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one travel lens, with users highlighting its convenience, sharpness, and effective image stabilization. Many appreciate not needing to swap lenses, though some note compromises in image quality at the telephoto end and a heavier build compared to smaller zooms. A few users report issues with manual focus, stiff zoom rings, and warranty concerns, but overall sentiment is strongly positive.
Pros
- Versatile all-in-one zoom range
- Sharp images for the price
- Effective image stabilization
- Convenient for travel
- Good value for money
Cons
- Soft corners at wide apertures
- Heavier than smaller zooms
- Stiff zoom ring initially
- Manual focus issues
- Not ideal for low light
Scores
Specifications
| Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS 400mm | Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | super-telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 400 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 800 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 27 | 19 |
| Groups | 19 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 6★ | 4 |
| Coating | Fluorine coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/6.3 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 6.3-8 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 2.48 kg | 0.62 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 105 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor | VXD linear motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 1.70 m | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.34 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS 400mm
- Strong optical (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong versatility (72nd percentile)
- Below average build (9th percentile)9th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 5.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 98 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
