Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 70mm
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 70mm
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 is widely praised for its sharpness, lightweight design, and excellent value compared to pricier OEM alternatives like the Sony 70-200mm GM II. Users highlight fast autofocus, effective image stabilization, and solid build quality, making it a favorite for sports, wildlife, and everyday telephoto shooting. A few concerns include the lack of a 200mm reach, potential dust ingress on the extending front, and isolated reports of gray market units without full warranty. Overall, it delivers professional-grade results at a fraction of the cost.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Lightweight and portable design
- Excellent value for money
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Lacks 200mm reach of competitors
- Extending front element may collect dust
- Gray market units without full warranty
- Not parfocal
- Incompatible with teleconverters
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
The Pentax HD DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR lens is highly praised for its superb build quality, sharpness, and beautiful color rendition. Users love it as a versatile walk-around lens for street photography and landscapes, especially on APS-C bodies like the K-3. The main drawbacks are its variable aperture and a price that many feel is too high for the performance gain over kit lenses.
Pros
- Superb build quality
- Excellent sharpness
- Beautiful color rendition
- Weather resistant
- Versatile focal range for street and landscape
Cons
- Variable aperture (f/2.8-4)
- High price for performance gain
- Limited zoom range
- Not as wide as some kit lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 70mm | Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 180 mm | 40 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 9 |
| Groups | 15 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| Coating | BBAR-G2 | HD coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Pentax K |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.85 kg | 0.28 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD | DC |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 300 mm | 280 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.6 | 1:5 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 70mm
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong versatility (78th percentile)
- Below average aperture (21st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong macro (73rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Pentax Limited Series 23010 40mm offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 70 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 22 specs.
