Tamron Di III VC AF014P-700 18-200mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC AF014P-700 18-200mm
This Tamron 18-200mm lens is praised for its versatility and value, offering a wide zoom range that eliminates the need to swap lenses. Users appreciate the sharpness at mid-range focal lengths and the solid build, but note that image quality softens at the long end, especially in low light, and autofocus can be slow. Some warn about gray market sellers and lack of warranty, while others find the barrel distortion at 18mm and weight to be minor drawbacks for the price.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Great value for money
- Solid build quality
- Good sharpness at mid-range
- Useful macro capability
Cons
- Soft at long end
- Slow autofocus
- Barrel distortion at 18mm
- Poor low-light performance
- Heavy for some users
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC AF014P-700 18-200mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 200 mm | 85 mm |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | — | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/18 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-6.3 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.40 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | — | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Stepping motor★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 18 mm★ | 380 mm |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC AF014P-700 18-200mm
- Strong macro (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average optical (18th percentile)18th %ile
- Below average bokeh (21st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 18 specs.