Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 40mm
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 40mm
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is widely praised as a compact, lightweight, and affordable prime lens that delivers excellent image quality, sharpness, and pleasing bokeh, especially for street, travel, and everyday photography. Users love its small size and fast f/2 aperture, often calling it a great value and a hidden gem. However, several reviewers and Q&A responses note the plastic lens mount and lack of weather sealing as significant drawbacks, with some wishing for a metal mount and a lens hood. Overall, it's seen as a fantastic budget lens that punches above its price class, despite these build compromises.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent image quality and sharpness
- Pleasing bokeh and character
- Great value for the price
- Fast f/2 aperture for low light
Cons
- Plastic lens mount
- No weather sealing
- No lens hood included
- No metal mount option
- Close-up image quality suffers
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 40mm f/2 40mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 40 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 40 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 6 | 19 |
| Groups | 4 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.17 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 52 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 290 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.9 | 1:2 |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 40mm
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong macro (71st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
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 (87th percentile)87th %ile
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 40mm offers 1.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
