Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm
Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF 400mm
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
Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF 400mm
The Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF Lens is a compact, lightweight manual lens that delivers surprising value at its price point. Most users praise its portability and build quality, though they note it requires patience, a tripod, and good light to get sharp results. The donut bokeh and fixed aperture are seen as creative trade-offs rather than dealbreakers. A common sentiment is that it's a 'fun' specialty lens for nature, moon, or zoo photography, but not a substitute for high-end telephoto glass.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Good build quality (metal construction)
- Smooth focus ring
- Excellent value for the price
- Fun creative donut bokeh effect
Cons
- Manual focus only with no autofocus
- Fixed f/8 aperture limits low-light use
- Soft image quality and muted contrast
- Donut bokeh may not suit all tastes
- Lens hood does not reverse for storage
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm | Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF 400mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 28 mm | 400 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 400 mm |
| Elements | 20 | 6 |
| Groups | 13 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Coating | fluorine coating | Multicoating and Antioxidant Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/4 | f/8 |
| Min Aperture | 4-7.1 | f/8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9★ | 5 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.59 kg | 0.35 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 1.15 m |
| Max Magnification | 1:2.8 | 1:2.5 |
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 (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF 400mm
- Strong build (67th percentile)
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average optical (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD 300mm offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 21 specs.
