Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD
Sony SEL18135
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD
The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 is widely praised as a versatile, all-in-one zoom lens that delivers exceptional sharpness and fast autofocus across its entire range. Many users, including professional event and wedding photographers, have replaced multiple primes or zooms with this single lens, citing its f/2-2.8 aperture and 35-150mm reach as ideal for portraits, sports, and travel. The main drawbacks are its significant weight and size, with some noting it can be tiring for handheld use, and a few isolated complaints about packaging or slow focus for moving subjects. Overall, it is considered a game-changer for those who value convenience and image quality.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness across zoom range
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Versatile 35-150mm focal length
- Bright f/2-2.8 aperture
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- No tripod collar included
- Slow focus for moving subjects
- Some vignetting at longer focal lengths
- Packaging issues on delivery
Sony SEL18135
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
- Not ideal for low light photography
- Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
- Some copies may have quality control issues
- Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD | Sony SEL18135 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 150 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 21 | 16 |
| Groups | 15 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 4★ | 2 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 2-2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 1.17 kg | 0.33 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 82 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 330 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.55★ | 0.29x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong bokeh (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong aperture (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average build (24th percentile)
Sony SEL18135
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pricing
Sony SEL18135 offers 1.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
