Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and robust build quality. Users highlight its versatility for wildlife, sports, and even close-up photography, with many noting it outperforms competitors like the Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm lenses in image quality. However, some criticize the price increase and occasional sharpness inconsistencies, while a few users report autofocus limitations with extenders on certain camera bodies.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Versatile zoom range (100-400mm)
- Excellent image stabilization
- Robust build quality
Cons
- Price increase over time
- Heavy weight
- Autofocus limitations with 2x extender
- Some copies lack sharpness
- Not ideal for Sony mirrorless
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 100 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 400 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 21 |
| Groups | 13 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Air Sphere Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/100 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.59 kg★ | 1.64 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | USM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 980 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:3.8★ | 0.31x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Below average aperture (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average bokeh (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average build (16th percentile)16th %ile
- Below average macro (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.