Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 Zoom 24mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 Zoom 24mm
The Tamron 10-24mm lens receives mostly positive feedback for its ultra-wide field of view, sharpness, and value compared to Canon alternatives. Users praise its versatility for landscapes and portraits, though some note autofocus can be slow and noisy. A few negative reviews highlight reliability issues, including a lens that stopped working and warranty problems with third-party sellers. Overall, it is seen as a solid budget-friendly wide-angle option for amateur and semi-pro photographers.
Pros
- Ultra-wide field of view
- Good value for money
- Sharp images
- Solid build quality
- Versatile for landscapes and portraits
Cons
- Slow and noisy autofocus
- Variable aperture
- Reliability issues reported
- Warranty problems with third-party sellers
- Plastic construction
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 SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 Zoom 24mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 10 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 24 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 12 | — |
| Groups | 9 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 6★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | LD Aspherical | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/10 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-4.5 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.41 kg★ | 0.48 kg |
| Filter Thread | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Micro Motor | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 240 mm★ | 380 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.19x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 Zoom 24mm
- Strong optical (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong build (77th percentile)
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (16th percentile)16th %ile
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 Zoom 24mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 1 of 22 specs.
