Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Canon L RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
What Buyers Say
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the Tamron 70-300mm lens for its excellent value for money, delivering sharp images and solid build quality at a fraction of the cost of brand-name alternatives. Many users highlight its impressive performance for wildlife and bird photography, although some note that the autofocus can be slow in low light and there are occasional issues with chromatic aberration. While a few mention the lack of image stabilization on certain models, most find it manageable with steady hands or a tripod.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality throughout zoom range
- Solid build and sturdy construction
- Good for wildlife and bird photography
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Occasional chromatic aberration (purple/green fringing)
- No vibration reduction on some models
- Autofocus can hunt and struggle on small subjects
- Zoom ring not always smooth
Canon L RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast and silent autofocus, and robust build quality. Many users consider it a workhorse for sports, portraits, and low-light photography, though the lack of image stabilization is a notable drawback for some. A significant number of reviews highlight the lens's weight and the potential for focus inconsistencies, particularly with moving subjects. Concerns about Canon's support for older models and the tripod collar design also appear in negative feedback.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality
- Fast and silent autofocus (USM)
- Excellent for low-light photography
- Versatile for sports and portraits
- Robust build quality
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Heavy and bulky
- Tripod collar design issues
- Inconsistent autofocus with moving subjects
- Canon no longer supports repairs
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm | Canon L RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 70 mm | 70 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 200 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 17 |
| Groups | 9 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 2★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 5★ |
| Coating | — | Air Sphere Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/32 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 4.0-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony A | Canon EF |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.77 kg★ | 1.07 kg |
| Filter Thread | 62 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 950 mm | 700 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:2★ | 0.3x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm
- Strong versatility (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Canon L RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (32nd percentile)
- Below average macro (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Tamron SP AFA005S-700 70-300mm offers 2.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 64 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
