Tamron Di III 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
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 Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 400 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 24 | 15 |
| Groups | 18 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 5★ | 3 |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 | 2.8-4 |
| 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 | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 249 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Strong optical (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong versatility (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
