Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
This Tamron 70-300mm lens is widely praised for its excellent value, delivering solid telephoto and macro performance at a budget-friendly price. Many users highlight sharp images at mid-range and macro distances, though some note softness at the long end and noticeable chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes. Build quality feels good for the price, with a smooth zoom action and metal mount, but a few reviewers experienced focus inconsistency and a slight catch in the zoom ring. Overall, it's a highly recommended budget telephoto for those who can work around its limitations.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Good macro performance (1:2)
- Solid build quality for price
- Sharp images at mid-range and macro
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Soft focus at 300mm end
- Noticeable chromatic aberration
- Zoom ring catch around 180-200mm
- Inconsistent autofocus on some bodies
- Not as sharp as premium lenses
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
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 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 15 | 16 |
| Groups | 10 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 1★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 4.5-6.3 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg | 0.33 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD stepping motor | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 800 mm | 450 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 0.29x★ |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Strong optical (71st percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
Pricing
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
