Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and excellent low-light performance. Users love its versatility for travel, video, and long exposures, often pairing it with other lenses in the budget trinity. A few note it's not as premium as the S-line or Nikon 14-30mm, but most agree it offers incredible value for the price.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Excellent low-light performance
- Great value for money
- Versatile for travel and video
Cons
- Not as premium as S-line lenses
- Some prefer wider 14-30mm range
- Build not as exceptional as premium trinity
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 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
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 28 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 19 |
| Groups | 11 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 3 | 4★ |
| Coating | Multi-Coated | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.45 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Stepping Motor | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.26 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 28mm
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong optical (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 2.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
