Tamron Di III VXD 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VXD 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3
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
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
- Not ideal for low light photography
- Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
- Some copies may have quality control issues
- Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VXD 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 400 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 24 | 16 |
| Groups | 18 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | BBAR-G2 | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/6.3 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 1.18 kg | 0.33 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor | Linear motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | 0.29x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VXD 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average build (24th percentile)
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 1.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 21 specs.
