Sony FE SEL1635Z 16-35mm
Sony
76 Overall Score
vs
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Tamron
100 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Sony FE SEL1635Z 16-35mm
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
Wildlife Sports
Macro
Travel
Video Cinema
Landscape
Professional
Street
Specifications
| Sony FE SEL1635Z 16-35mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 5★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/4 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.35 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 72 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | XD Linear Motors | VXD linear motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4.5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 240 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.19x | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony FE SEL1635Z 16-35mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
Tamron Di III 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 (89th percentile)89th %ile
Pricing
Sony FE SEL1635Z 16-35mm
No current pricing available
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Verdict
Winner: Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Scores 100 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
