Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 200-28mm
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 200-28mm
The Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. lens is widely praised for its compact size, versatile zoom range, and macro capability, making it an ideal travel companion. Users appreciate the optical stabilization and the convenience of not swapping lenses, though some note softness at extreme ends and a slow aperture. Overall, it's a solid all-in-one solution for outdoor and travel photography.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile zoom range (28-200mm)
- Macro capability
- Effective optical stabilization
- Convenient all-in-one travel lens
Cons
- Soft at wide and telephoto ends
- Slow maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Not ideal for low light without stabilization
- Requires stopping down for sharpness
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
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
Scores
Specifications
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 200-28mm | Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 200 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 17 | 19 |
| Groups | 13 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 4 | 4 |
| Coating | Fluorine coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.41 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 6.5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 140 mm★ | 150 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.5x | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 200-28mm
- Strong stabilization (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average social proof (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 85 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 22 specs.
