CameraReview
Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
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Tamron · 28-300 mm · f/4 · Sony E mount

Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

KEY FACTS
BrandTamron
Announcement dateJul 2024
Released2024
Production started2024
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional 10.7x zoom range (28-300mm) in a compact, lightweight design ideal for travel and all-in-one shooting
+Fast, accurate VXD autofocus with quiet operation and excellent subject tracking for both stills and video
+Effective VC image stabilization enabling sharp handheld shots at 300mm without a tripod
+Versatile close-focus capability with 1:2.8 macro magnification at 28mm for creative flexibility
+High image sharpness across the focal range with minimal chromatic aberration and controlled distortion
+Premium construction with moisture-resistant design and fluorine coating for durability in harsh environments
Worth Knowing
Variable aperture (F4-F7.1) becomes quite slow when zooming, limiting low-light performance beyond the wider focal lengths
Middling overall optical performance with notable barrel distortion at 28mm and pincushion distortion at longer focal lengths
Diaphragm creates cat's eye bokeh and onion ring artifacts at longer focal lengths (200-300mm), affecting bokeh aesthetics
No aperture ring for manual exposure control; vibration compensation toggle requires accessing camera menu rather than external switch

General

Brand
Tamron
Announcement date
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Jul 2024
Released
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2024
Production started
2024
Production status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The Tamron 28-300mm F/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD represents a new challenge for the all-in-one zoom pioneer, with its greatest feature being a 10.7x zoom range extending from 28mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto. Despite covering this vast range of focal lengths, the lens is remarkably portable at just 126mm long and 610g in weight. It is equipped with Tamron's VXD linear motor focus mechanism for the fastest and most accurate AF in the company's history, overturning the stereotype of slow autofocus in all-in-one zoom lenses. The proprietary VC vibration compensation mechanism effectively suppresses camera shake when shooting in the telephoto range or under low-light conditions.

Optics

Zoom Ratio
10.7x
Maximum Magnification
1:2.8 at 28mm; 1:3.8 at 300mm
Optical Construction
20 elements in 13 groups
Special Elements
1 XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), 1 LD (Low Dispersion), 3 GM (Glass-Molded Aspherical)
Min focal length
28 mm
Max focal length
300 mm
Focal range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
28-300 mm
Zoom lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Max aperture wide
4
Max aperture zoom
7.1
Closest focusing distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
19 cm01500
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020

Autofocus

Mechanism
VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor
Performance
Fast and accurate AF with quiet operation
Manual Focus
Supported

Stabilization

System
VC (Vibration Compensation)
Technology
Proprietary optical image stabilization with AI technology for video at focal lengths up to 100mm

Build

Coating
BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) on elements; fluorine coating on front element

Features

Focus Set Button
Customizable
Connectivity
USB-C port for firmware updates and TAMRON Lens Utility software
Zoom Lock
External zoom lock switch to prevent zoom creep
Compatibility
Sony E-mount full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras
Weather sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes

Physical

Lens mount
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Sony E
Lens length
How long the lens is from front to back.
126 mm
Lens weight
610 g
Front filter size
Diameter of attachable filters.
67 mm