Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Announced September 24, 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
The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is a versatile, all-in-one zoom lens that provides a convenient, fun-to-use solution for travel and general photography. While it offers impressive range and reliable autofocus, it comes with optical compromises and a slower variable aperture that more demanding photographers should consider.
Weighted from 19 reviewer scores
Pros
- Effective built-in vibration compensation
- Extremely versatile and wide zoom range
- Fast, quiet, and accurate VXD autofocus
- Weather-sealed and moisture-resistant construction
- Compact and lightweight design for its class
Cons
- Noticeable distortion and chromatic aberration
- Soft image quality at the edges and corners
- Slow variable aperture limits low-light performance
- Stiff or unsmooth zoom ring operation
- Lack of physical switches for AF/MF or VC
- Launch price $629–$699 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3
- Mount & coverage Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 15 cm (0.5x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor VXD
- Weight & size 625g · 75.5 x 123.6 mm (2.97 x 4.87 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 19 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8/10
The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is an all-in-one zoom that is a lot of fun to photograph with.
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If you’re looking for one lens that can do just about everything, look no further than the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens. It’s an excellent all-in-one zoom.
- OpticalLimits 4/10
The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is an affordable lens that tries to provide it all but this comes with compromises. However, if your primary intention is sharing images on social networks and/or traveling lightweight, it's still worth considering.
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Sometimes ‘good’ is good enough, and for many, that will be the case with the Tamron 18-300m f/3.5-6.3mm lens.
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This lens is a good all-around, super-convenient, fun-to-use single-lens solution for a wide range of photography needs, including around the yard, at the park, on the beach, or when traveling, and it is a great choice for kids.
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[I]t is hard to beat the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD lens at this point.
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[I]t is a fun optic to use and I can just about recommend it if this is what you're on the market for, but more demanding photographers should bear in mind its limitations before taking the plunge.
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Using this lens as a general-purpose travel lens, for landscape, architecture, street, portraits, flower details, and wildlife, it is entirely possible that it will easily cover all those needs.
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The Tamron 18-300mm is a solid lens for travel and walkabout photography. I loved being able to pack light with just one lens while still getting wide, telephoto, and half macro shots.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
Its overall performance is so much better than we expected at such an affordable price. We recommend it to those seeking a ‘do-everything’ lens for general photography.
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[...] I think Tamron have done a really, really good job.
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This lens has VC control which you really need if you’re going to be on a 300mm or a 450mm conversion for APS-C sensor. Just ergonomically I think it works.
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It's the kind of lens that you can quite literally just throw on and forget.
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So if you're looking for one lens to do it all, I'm very happy to recommend this Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD, and at 699 can say it represents a great value.
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I'm not telling anyone not to buy this lens; if what you're buying what it is for the limitation, then no problem, you can go for it, okay?
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Of course no lens is perfect, this one included, but I think it packs a lot into this little package, and overall if you are in the market this thing does come pretty highly recommended.
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For example, if you like to film sports, wildlife, casual things like family vacations, and you want a lens that doesn't break the bank, and you want to be able to film quite wide like 18 millimeters [...]
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So having the minimum focusing distance be super short, having great image quality all throughout its zoom range and having VC and things like that, that's what makes this lens a complete package.
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Yeah, I can highly recommend the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD if you have a Sony E-mount body and you are looking for a lens that covers such a wide range.
