Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
Nikon NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Nikon NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm
The Nikon 500mm f/5.6 PF lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its lightweight design, sharp image quality, and fast autofocus, making it a favorite for bird and wildlife photography. A few users report autofocus issues in low light or with small subjects, but most find it a significant upgrade over heavier alternatives like the 200-500mm. The lens is praised for being handholdable and well-balanced on cameras like the D500 and D850, though some note minor wear on button lettering over time.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Excellent VR for handheld shooting
- Well-balanced on D500 and D850
Cons
- Autofocus issues in low light
- Autofocus hunts with small subjects
- Button lettering wears off over time
- Swirly backgrounds when pointed at sun
- Expensive for non-professionals
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm | Nikon NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 500 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 19 |
| Groups | 13 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings, Fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/32 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.59 kg★ | 1.46 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 95 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | Silent Wave Motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 3.00 m |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 | 1:5.55 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
Nikon NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm
- Strong social proof (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong optical (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average aperture (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average bokeh (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average build (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (23rd percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm offers 23.8x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
