Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Announced June 10, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD provides a sharp, compact, and affordable telephoto option for full-frame mirrorless cameras. While it delivers impressive image quality and reliable autofocus, it lacks teleconverter compatibility and features a variable aperture that can be limiting in low light.
Weighted from 31 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent sharpness and optical performance
- Integrated Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount
- Effective vibration compensation stabilization
- Compact and lightweight design for its focal range
- Reliable and fast VXD autofocus system
Cons
- Slow variable maximum aperture
- Incompatible with teleconverters
- Susceptible to accidental zoom locking
- Noticeable corner softness at certain focal lengths
- Limits burst frame rates on specific camera bodies
- Launch price $1,399–$1,499 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 150-500mm f/5-6.7
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 60 cm (0.32x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor VXD
- Weight & size 1880g · 93 x 209.6 mm (3.66 x 8.25 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 31 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
- PetaPixel 8.5/10
Tamron manages to make a highly sharp and reliably fast autofocus lens in the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD. Overall, my experience was positive and there’s considerable attention paid to much of the lens's design.
-
This represents a significant savings in money, it still gives you really good range, and optically I was very pleased with its performance.
-
The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 lens is designed to offer an impressive telephoto range for full-frame mirrorless cameras at relatively low cost and with a reasonably compact form factor, and that’s precisely what it does.
-
There're only two thing to be aware of: The lens cannot be used with teleconverters and veiling glare from strong contra-light can reduce contrast considerably. But other than that Tamron has designed a compelling super-telephoto zoom which clearly earns a Recommended!
- OpticalLimits 6/10
In our book, the primary differentiator of the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is the compact size.
-
[...] I think that Tamron designed a very good and competitive lens, especially for the cost. It beats the name-brand alternatives in price, weight, and size, while it falls a little short in other capabilities.
-
From an optical perspective, the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Lens performs superbly, and comparisons with the alternative choices especially drive this point home.
-
The Tamron A057 gives a nice alternative to both, with a good size and price, good autofocus performance, and very nice image quality.
-
[F]or anyone looking for a nicely handling lens in the smallest Size possible with a good long reach, I can recommend it.
-
It’s incredibly sharp, the autofocus is snappy and excellent at tracking fast-moving subjects, and the overall quality is worth the investment.
-
I like this lens, and am pleased with the images that it has made possible. It handles well, and the results are sharp, with some absolutely gorgeous bokeh, despite only having 7 diaphragm blades.
-
If you're looking for a do-it-all super telephoto lens for your Sony camera, the new Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD should definitely be on your short-list.
-
All in all, it’s a high-performance lens with a strong set of features and a very good buy at the price.
- Photo Review 90%
Owners of Sony full frame cameras looking for a telephoto lens for birding, sports and/or wildlife photography will find a lot to like in this lens.
-
After more than two months and more than 1,000 frames with the Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III lens, I've been greatly impressed by its overall performance, sharpness, and build.
-
[...] I'm impressed. I had a blast capturing some up close moments with this lens, and it's perfect for a wide variety of shooters.
-
Usually a super telephoto zoom lens like this camera lens would have a lot of compromises, but this camera lens has a lot less compromises than I expected. Image quality is really good overall with no major weakness.
-
You are also, in my opinion, getting bang for buck when it comes to image quality, sharpness, and autofocus performance.
-
All in all, Tamron's created an excellent lens for wildlife, for any extreme telephoto stuff; it handles it really well.
-
Since I've been using this lens, I think the thing that really impresses me the most about it is how incredibly versatile it is. You can use this for so many different types of photography and I think it's going to make an amazing travel companion for Nikon Z mount owners.
-
So I really believe Tamron has hit a home run with this lens because I really don't know how they've done it. This is really, really good quality for the price.
-
It helps with keeping the focal length in the same position or mitigating some front element creeping while being carried on your back.
-
I would absolutely add this lens to my kit as a daily tool. Its ability to keep up with moving subjects, light weight, and small form factor is ideal for outdoor photography.
-
When it comes to optics the lens really surprised us with a solid performance at all focal lengths even wide open reaching peak performance at f/8 or f/11.
-
I really like this lens for what it is. [...] It's a fantastic performing lens at that price.
-
The Tamron 150-500mm lens is ideal for wildlife, nature, and sports photographers.
-
Very good lens, has some tradeoffs, has some quirks to it, but what lens doesn't? [...]
-
After all of that, yes, it may not initially look like a small lens, but it's actually quite compact for what it is and it is highly usable.
-
[I]t's hard to say that this is the best ultra zoom for Sony mount out there as the price is so similar to the Sigma and only marginally lower than the Sony 200-600mm, but I prefer this much more than the others because it is smaller and lighter.
-
It is 1,399 US dollars, but it is one of the cheaper options that we do have for Sony E-mount cameras.
-
The lens is sharp, it's not as heavy, and most importantly, it's an affordable piece of equipment.
