Lens Reviews / Tamron Lenses i Not yet tested

18-300mm	$690 average price

Updates:
03/25/2022: Gallery Images added
06/22/2022: Hands-on Review added

 

Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD Hands-on Review

An extremely versatile all-in-one zoom lens

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 06/22/2022

If you've got a Sony or Fujifilm APS-C camera, it likely came with a kit lens. Maybe a 16-50mm or even 18-135mm. These are nice lenses; there's no doubt about that. However, what if you want even more reach or one lens that can do it all? That's where the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 comes in.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 43mm (64mm equiv.), F10, 1/3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The 16.6x zoom lens offers a 27-450mm equivalent focal length range, making it well-suited to many photo situations, including landscapes, portraits and wildlife. The lens isn't extremely fast but delivers strong image quality and good autofocus performance. The lens is extremely versatile. Plus, at $700, it doesn't break the bank. And at 620 grams (21.9 ounces), it doesn't break your back, either.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F8, 1/60s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 VC VXD key features and specifications

• All-in-one zoom for APS-C Sony E-mount & Fuji X-mount cameras
• 16.6x zoom range (27-450mm equivalent focal length)
• L x D: 125.6 x 75.5mm (4.9 x 3 in.)
• Weighs 620g (21.9 oz.)
• 67mm filter thread
• 19 elements in 15 groups
• 7-bladed aperture diaphragm
• Weather-sealed construction
• VXD linear motors
• Minimum focusing distance of 0.99m (39 in.) at 300mm and 0.15m (5.9 in.) at 18mm
• 1:4 maximum magnification ratio at tele end and 1:2 maximum magnification ratio at wide end
• Includes Vibration Compensation
• $699

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 200mm (300mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens design and handling: A reasonably compact, weather-resistant all-in-one zoom lens

The Tamron 18-300mm lens has similar styling to many of Tamron's recent lenses, such as a sleek, matte black exterior and a lightweight design comprised of sturdy polycarbonate plastic. The included lens hood looks good, too. The lens also includes a weather-resistant construction, so it should stand up nicely to a bit of bad weather here and there. I'm not sure how well it'd handle a torrential downpour, but a bit of rain or snow shouldn't be an issue. The lens has a fluorine coating on its front element, making it easier to wipe clean.

The Tamron 18-300mm lens shares its styling with other recent Tamron lenses. It's built using a thermally stable composite material, which is lightweight and durable. There's nothing spectacular about the lens' design and construction, but it looks and feels good in use.

The zoom ring has markings at 18, 35, 50, 70, 100, 200 and 300mm. The zoom ring is wide and has a good grippy surface. The focus ring is much narrower and considerably looser-feeling than the zoom ring. The zoom ring offers good resistance, whereas the focus ring puts up a minimal fight, which makes it hard to dial in focus with precision. Granted, most photographers won't end up manually focusing often.

In terms of size, the 18-300mm lens isn't exactly small, but it's far from large. It is 125.6mm (4.9 in.) long at its minimum and extends a bit during zooming. The diameter is 75.5mm (3 in.), and the lens has a 67mm filter thread. It's a common filter size, which is nice. The lens weighs 620 grams (21.9 oz.). The lens balances nicely, although it can go a bit off-kilter when zooming to the longer focal lengths. To zoom from 18mm to 300mm takes less than 90 degrees of rotation, so it's easy to do in a single quick motion.

As an extension zoom, the length of the 18-300mm changes as you zoom. In the case of the Tamron 18-300mm, the lens gets quite a bit longer when it's at 300mm compared to 18mm.

Considering its price point, the Tamron 18-300mm feels much better than I expected. It even has a lock switch to keep it at its minimum length in your bag, a feature I've come to expect from somewhat pricier lenses. The lens feels great, and Tamron has done a nice job with its design and build.

Image quality: Great center sharpness across the board

The Tamron 18-300mm lens has 19 elements in 15 groups. Among these elements are three LD elements, two hybrid aspherical elements, and one hybrid aspherical LD element.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 21mm (31mm equiv.), F11, 1s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each test scene and aperture in the Gallery.

18mm (27mm equiv.)

At 18mm (27mm equiv.), the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 lens is pretty darn good. Looking at the center of the frame at F3.5, the lens delivers strong sharpness with good color and contrast. The lens also exhibits good control over aberrations. As we move toward the extreme corner, it drops off a bit, especially when shooting wide open. There's some image softness and purple fringing. However, it's not bad, and the issue is limited to the very corners of the frame.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F3.5, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 18mm (27mm equiv.) - F3.5. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F3.5, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 18mm (27mm equiv.) - F3.5 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F3.5, 1/1600s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 18mm (27mm equiv.) - F3.5 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

As you stop down to F4, there's no noticeable change in image quality. However, at F5.6 and F8, center sharpness remains good while the corners are slightly improved. There's a bit more detail as you stop down and less fringing.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F5.6, 1/640s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 18mm (27mm equiv.) - F5.6 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 18mm (27mm equiv.), F5.6, 1/640s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 18mm (27mm equiv.) - F5.6 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

50mm (75mm equiv.)

At 50mm (49mm, to be exact), the maximum aperture dips to F4.5, which is still reasonably quick for an all-in-one zoom lens. The image is sharp and detailed in the center of the frame at F4.5. The corners are a bit soft, although the lens exercises better control over aberrations than at 18mm. Again, stopping down doesn't do much for maximum sharpness in the center of the frame, as the lens is already sharp, but it improves corner performance.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (73mm equiv.), F4.5, 1/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 50mm (75mm equiv.) - F4.5. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (73mm equiv.), F4.5, 1/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 50mm (75mm equiv.) - F4.5 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (73mm equiv.), F4.5, 1/1000s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 50mm (75mm equiv.) - F4.5 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (73mm equiv.), F8, 1/320s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 50mm (75mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (73mm equiv.), F8, 1/320s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 50mm (75mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

135mm (203mm equiv.)

For the first time, at 135mm (203mm equiv.), I notice a difference in center sharpness by stopping down. That said, at F5.6, center sharpness is still pretty good. It's impressive that the lens is still not at its minimum aperture at 135mm. It's not unusual for a zoom lens with a variable aperture to reach its slowest aperture fairly early in its zoom range. At 135mm, performance is good at F5.6 but even better at F8. The corners aren't super sharp, and there's a bit of vignette, but it's not bad.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 135mm (202mm equiv.), F5.6, 1/400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 135mm (203mm equiv.) - F5.6. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 135mm (202mm equiv.), F5.6, 1/400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 135mm (203mm equiv.) - F5.6 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 135mm (202mm equiv.), F5.6, 1/400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 135mm (203mm equiv.) - F5.6 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 135mm (202mm equiv.), F8, 1/250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 135mm (203mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 135mm (202mm equiv.), F8, 1/250s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 135mm (203mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

300mm (450mm equiv.)

At 300mm, an impressive 450mm-equivalent on an APS-C camera, center performance is excellent, even wide open at F6.3. Granted, F6.3 isn't a super-fast aperture, especially not when it comes to a shallow depth of field on an APS-C camera. However, it's still pretty darn good considering the size of the lens. Better still, the lens is sharp at 300mm. Corner sharpness falls off a bit, but I think that's a minor issue considering the typical subject matter at 300mm. If you're photographing landscapes at 300mm, you'll want to stop down to reduce the vignette and get a bit more detail in the corners. But otherwise, F6.3 is perfectly fine.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 300mm (450mm equiv.) - F6.3. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 300mm (450mm equiv.) - F6.3 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 300mm (450mm equiv.) - F6.3 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm equiv.), F8, 1/400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 300mm (450mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm equiv.), F8, 1/400s, ISO 100. Sharpness test - 300mm (450mm equiv.) - F8 - 100 percent bottom right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Bokeh

Despite not being a high-speed lens, the 18-300mm nonetheless delivers good bokeh performance, especially as you shoot at longer focal lengths and get closer to your subject. Out-of-focus areas are pleasingly soft, and the lens doesn't display distracting onion-ring bokeh.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 209mm (313mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/500s, ISO 1000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Image quality summary

The Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens delivers impressive image quality in numerous ways. It's a sharp lens from 18mm to 300mm, even wide open, and especially in the center of the frame. Corner performance is a weak area throughout much of the focal length range, but it's partially addressed by stopping down. As for aberrations, there isn't much to say here, which is a good thing. There's some slight purple fringing in the corners, especially at 18mm, but otherwise, the image is clean with strong contrast and good color accuracy. Likewise, the vignette is only a minor issue. Default lens correction profiles mostly control it.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 50mm (75mm equiv.), F9, 1/160s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

From a more subjective perspective, I think the lens delivers good bokeh performance. No, it's not the fastest lens ever, so it won't easily throw the background way out of focus, but if you get close to your subject and use a long focal length, you can get a soft background using the Tamron 18-300mm lens.

Overall, there's a lot to like here. The image quality is impressive given that it's a 16.6x all-in-one zoom lens.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 188mm (282mm equiv.), F6.3, 1/160s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the field with the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens

Autofocus

The Tamron 18-300mm lens incorporates Tamron's VXD autofocus system. VXD stands for Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive, and the system uses linear motors to deliver quick and accurate autofocus performance. It's not the fastest AF system I've used, especially when you are zoomed in, but it's quick enough for many situations, including wildlife photography. I don't think the lens is perfect for fast-paced action photography, but other than that, it's up to just about any task, especially in daytime light.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 300mm (450mm) equiv.), F6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 5000. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Concerning close-focusing performance, the lens is impressive here, too. You can focus as close as 0.99m (39 in.) at 300mm and 0.15m (5.9 in.) at 18mm. This results in maximum magnification ratios of 1:4 (tele) and 1:2 (wide). This is a solid performance, and the lens is good for some nice close-up photography. It's not quite a macro lens, but it's close.

Usability

Usability is one of the Tamron 18-300mm's greatest strengths. The lens has vibration compensation (VC), helping keep it steady when using a camera without in-body image stabilization. Further, the sheer zoom range is incredible. It's enjoyable to shoot a wide-angle landscape image and then rotate the lens to zoom in on a distant object. It's a great all-around, all-in-one zoom lens.

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 126mm (189mm equiv.), F8, 1/200s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD Hands-on Review Summary

An excellent all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C E-mount and Fujifilm X series cameras

What I like most:

• Excellent zoom range
• Good, albeit uninspired, design
• Weather-resistant construction
• Great center sharpness throughout entire zoom range
• A great value

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 21mm (31mm equiv.), F13, 1.3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Somewhat slow aperture, especially at the long end of the lens
• Loose focusing ring
• Lacking good detail in the corners at many focal lengths
• A fair bit of distortion without lens correction applied

Sony A7R IV with Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD lens at 21mm (31mm equiv.), F10, 1/20s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

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. It's not perfect, no lens is, but considering its price point and zoom range, it delivers impressive image quality, build quality and overall performance.

 

• • •

 

(From Tamron lens literature) Tamron USA, Inc. announces the launch date of the previously announced 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD. The Fujifilm X-Mount model B061X will be on sale October 28, 2021, at $699 USD. Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change. The Sony E-mount model of this new lens will be available on September 24th.

The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD covers a wide zoom range from approximately 27mm to 450mm in full-frame equivalent focal length. The first1 APS-C mirrorless camera zoom lens in the world with a 16.6x zoom ratio, the lens delivers the benefits of a versatile all-in-one zoom lens ideal for an extensive array of photographic scenarios. Its AF drive system uses TAMRON’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism for superior quietness and agile performance. The lens includes special lens elements arranged precisely to maintain high resolution performance from edge-to-edge and provide high image quality making it the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses.

Moreover, with an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 5.9” at the 18mm wide end and a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, this lens performs astonishingly well when shooting up close. The lens is equipped with TAMRON's proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, effectively reducing image blur caused by camera shake in low-light conditions or in the ultra-telephoto range at slower shutter speeds.

Also, same as most other TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras, the lens features a unified 67mm filter size. With a wide variety of other features for comfortable shooting, this is a highly versatile lens that allows you to easily enjoy high image quality from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

1. The world’s first 16.6x all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras

The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD is the world's first lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras with a 16.6x zoom ratio, the greatest feature of this lens, covering wide angle to an ultra-telephoto range. The full-frame equivalent focal length range is from 27mm to 450mm. With this broad coverage, it empowers shooting in a wide variety of situations, including everyday life and travel snapshots, both wide-angle and dynamic ultra-telephoto landscape photography and macro photography.

2. Best-in-class, extremely fast and precise AF provided by VXD linear motor focus mechanism

The 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD utilizes TAMRON's proprietary VXD linear motor focus mechanism. It achieves AF speed and precision that stand among the best of all all-in-one zoom lenses. Throughout its range, from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto, it provides precise AF shooting. Excellent when tracking a moving subject in focus, it is ideal when photographing animals, aircraft, railways, and other moving subjects. It’s extremely quiet, and therefore perfectly suited for both still and video shooting in conditions that demand silent operation.

3. MOD of 5.9” and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at wide end

With an MOD of 5.9” at the 18mm wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, the 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD performs amazingly well when shooting up close compared to other all-in-one zoom lenses. It enables users to enjoy creative macro photography with highly blurred backgrounds, a feature unique to macro photography. As a pioneer in all-in-one zoom lenses, TAMRON demonstrates unmatched originality in close-up shots.

4. The best image quality in its class

In terms of image quality, this new 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 VC VXD is one of the best-performing all-in-one zoom lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras. To achieve a zoom ratio of 16.6x while ensuring high image quality, the lens features a well-balanced arrangement of three hybrid aspherical elements and four LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements to effectively suppress optical aberrations. Throughout the zoom range, it maintains high resolving power from the center to the corners.

5. Outstanding VC stabilization

Despite its compact size, the lens is equipped with TAMRON's proprietary VC mechanism. With or without image stabilization in the camera body, the VC included in this lens effectively mitigates camera shake that is likely to occur in low-light conditions indoors and at night. Furthermore, using AI technologies, the lens will choose the compensation characteristic for videography at focal lengths of 70mm or less.

6. Comfortably compact

7. User-friendly features (Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, Zoom Lock switch)

8. Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF

*When shooting at the MOD of 0.15m / 5.9 in (at the wide end 18mm), the distance between the subject and the tip of lens is approximately 5mm (0.2 in). Use precaution so that the front element does not touch the subject when shooting at MOD.

Pricing & Availability

The Fujifilm X-Mount model B061X will be on sale October 28, 2021, at $699 USD. Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change. The Sony E-mount model of this new lens will be available on September 24th.