Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Announced August 29, 2024
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 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is a highly versatile and compact all-in-one zoom lens that excels as a lightweight travel companion for daytime photography. While it offers impressive focal range and effective stabilization, its slow variable aperture and compromises in edge-to-edge sharpness make it less suitable for low-light conditions or professional-grade requirements.
Weighted from 14 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus
- Durable build with weather-resistant construction
- Compact and lightweight form factor
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Extremely versatile and long zoom range
Cons
- Slow variable maximum aperture limits low-light performance
- Softness in corners and edges
- Unappealing or busy bokeh rendering
- Distortion and vignetting issues
- Lens barrel creep when pointed upward
- Launch price $899 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 28-300mm f/4-7.1
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS
- Close focus 19.1 cm (0.26x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor VXD
- Weight & size 610g · 77 x 126 mm (3.03 x 4.96 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 14 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 6.5/10
The new Tamron 28-300mm gave me the versatility I expected but it did so with a very pedestrian kind of look.
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The modestly -sized, lightly-weighted, well-designed and constructed Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Lens is a great general-purpose lens choice.
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The truth of the matter is numbers sell. Tamron already had an excellent 28-200mm RXD lens, which is, in fact, optically superior to this new lens.
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All the usual image quality problems are here, but thankfully there's nothing too egregious going on to spoil the party.
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I think having a larger range with a smaller lens that is very similar in aperture to the other ones and very similar in price kind of makes sense if you're someone who isn't looking to be a pro photographer.
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The Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is a convenient all-in-one zoom for Sony systems, but dim optics and so-so resolving power prevent it from earning top marks.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
Fast autofocusing and built-in stabilisation make this lens even more appealing to both types of photographers.
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I really enjoyed my brief look at the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 lens, and I am happy to encourage anyone new to photography, or anyone travelling where weight is an issue to consider it.
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[...] I'm really happy with the final look of the images. This lens, in my opinion, has quite a bit of character, and Tamron achieved a good balance with the lens size without cutting too many corners on image quality.
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For me, I enjoyed shooting with this lens way more than I thought I would, just because I was able to compose the shots I wanted to compose and get some of that longer lens look where the background and the foreground are all kind of squished together, compressed together [...]
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I think this becomes a very simple decision for me. I love the thought of having something like this in my bag I can just grab it and I do this often.
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So the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD is an incredible all day walk around lens, especially with a smaller form factor body like this.
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Generally speaking, a very good practical versatile lens, but best if you use it in a daytime and you will have no issues with it.
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If you're somebody looking for a one-lens solution that offers a ton of versatility in terms of focal length and aren't overly concerned with lower light situations, well, this might be a perfect option.
