Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Canon 3560B002
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is widely praised for its sharpness, versatile zoom range, constant aperture, and effective stabilization, making it an excellent all-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users appreciate its solid build quality and value for money, though many note it is noticeably heavier and larger than typical kit lenses, which can feel unbalanced on smaller camera bodies. A few reviewers mention minor issues like chromatic aberration at the longer end and noise from the aperture blades at certain settings, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- sharp image quality across zoom range
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- effective image stabilization
- fast and quiet autofocus
- versatile 17-70mm focal range
Cons
- heavy and large for APS-C body
- chromatic aberration at 50-70mm
- aperture blade noise above f/5.6
- short zoom throw initially stiff
- no aperture ring on Fuji version
Canon 3560B002
The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is widely praised as the best walk-around zoom for APS-C cameras, offering excellent sharpness, fast and quiet autofocus, and effective image stabilization. Many users compare its image quality favorably to L-series lenses, though some note it is not as sharp in the corners and can suffer from lens creep. A few reviewers experienced autofocus motor failures or inconsistent optical quality, and the lack of a constant wide aperture is a common drawback. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who want a versatile, high-quality single lens for crop-sensor bodies.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness
- Fast and quiet USM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 15-85mm zoom range
- Great build quality
Cons
- Lens creep when pointed downward
- No constant wide aperture
- Soft corners at wide end
- Some copies have autofocus issues
- Expensive for a non-L lens
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Canon 3560B002 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 15 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 17 |
| Groups | 12 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Super Spectra coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg★ | 0.57 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD | USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 350 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8★ | 0.22x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
Canon 3560B002
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong af (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.
