Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the Tamron 70-300mm lens for its excellent value for money, delivering sharp images and solid build quality at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Many users highlight its impressive performance for wildlife and bird photography, although some note that the autofocus can be slow in low light and there are occasional issues with chromatic aberration. While a few mention the lack of image stabilization on certain models, most find it manageable with steady hands or a tripod.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality throughout zoom range
- Solid build and sturdy construction
- Good for wildlife and bird photography
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Occasional chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing)
- No vibration reduction on some models
- Autofocus can hunt and struggle on small subjects
- Zoom ring not always smooth
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 SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 15 |
| Groups | 9 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | — | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 4.0-5.6 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony A | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.77 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 62 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 950 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | 0.12x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- 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
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
