Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is widely praised for its sharpness, versatile zoom range, constant aperture, and effective stabilization, making it an excellent all-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users appreciate its solid build quality and value for money, though many note it is noticeably heavier and larger than typical kit lenses, which can feel unbalanced on smaller camera bodies. A few reviewers mention minor issues like chromatic aberration at the longer end and noise from the aperture blades at certain settings, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- sharp image quality across zoom range
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- effective image stabilization
- fast and quiet autofocus
- versatile 17-70mm focal range
Cons
- heavy and large for APS-C body
- chromatic aberration at 50-70mm
- aperture blade noise above f/5.6
- short zoom throw initially stiff
- no aperture ring on Fuji version
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
The Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens is highly praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and lightweight design. Users upgrading from older versions note significant improvements in optics and focusing speed. The weather sealing and compact size make it a versatile choice for outdoor photography, though some find it slightly heavy and note compatibility limitations with older film cameras.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Weather sealing for outdoor use
- Affordable price for the quality
Cons
- Slightly heavy for some users
- No aperture ring for older cameras
- Not compatible with teleconverters
- Limited compatibility with film cameras
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 0 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | HD coating, SP coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg | 0.44 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD | PLM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 930 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8 | 1:3.33 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong bokeh (79th percentile)
- Strong build (75th percentile)
Pricing
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE offers 42.9x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
