Looking for a super zoom for travel and holidays? Consider the Tamron 18-270 (Canon and Nikon) part 1
Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Lens Review
With the release of the new test results for the Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD for both the Canon mount and the Nikon mount, this could be a good opportunity to explore the DxOMark rankings to help you choose the best super-zoom for your APS-C camera.
We hear you and we’ve been there: when you’re on the market for a super-zoom, the list can be long and confusing. Worry not, we’ve got you covered—a comprehensive list of tested lenses by the main manufacturers in combination with different camera bodies is available on DxOMark.com.
We’ve tested and ranked the latest Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD, along with the previous model Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Canon and its counterpart with a Nikon mount. Also, don’t miss the latest test results on the Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro on both a Canon and a Nikon mount.
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Canon and Nikon mount DxOMark brief review
This lens is much lighter and smaller than the previous “all-in-one” lens designed by Tamron, the AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro launched in 2008 (click here for the Nikon mount and here for the Canon mount). The question is if Tamron has succeeded this time in delivering the same or a better IQ on this newer lens.
It’s worth noticing that this is the largest zoom available for an SLR camera. Tamron is the only brand that provides a zoom of x15, covering from 27mm equivalent at wide angle to a 405mm equivalent at telephoto. The only lens that comes close is the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. If you would like to compare them check out the results for the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM mounted on a Canon EOS 7D and on a Nikon D300.
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD vs Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro mounted on a Canon EOS 7D
The full lens comparison is available here: Tamron 18-270mm PZD vs Tamron AF 18-270mm [IF] Macro. The results are pretty impressive: This newer version achieves a DxOMark score of 12 versus 8, achieved by its predecessor.
On the resolution aspect, the previous version is a bit sharper on short focal, on larger focal, we have the opposite: the new version provides a higher resolution.
Vignetting remains very well controlled on the Canon APS-C sensor.
Still, some other aspects could have been improved on the new version: the Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD gives us a slower transmission speed and it has a slightly higher distorsion.
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD vs Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro mounted on a Nikon D7000
The full lens comparison is available here: Tamron 18-270mm PZD vs Tamron AF 18-270mm [IF] Macro (Nikon mount)
When comparing the older and newer version of this lens we have 4 points of difference on the DxOMark Score and an 8 lp/mm loss in resolution metric. The new version is a slightly slower lens. As you will see, every metric is a bit better on the previous (and heavier) model.
You can’t always get what you want says the song; if you already have the previous version or you are planning to buy it you will get a noticeably better image quality. Nevertheless this lens is quite heavier than the newer one, if you are on the go and the weight of your gear matters to you, the newer version might be quite interesting.
(On a side note: Canon sensors tend to be smaller than the Nikon ones, hence they manage vignetting better, see the comparison of the Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Canon vs Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Nikon).
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD vs Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Canon
The full lens comparison is available here: Tamron 18-270mm PZD vs Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM on Canon EOS 7D
Which large zoom to pick between these two models for SLR cameras? Their specs and price come very close; the sigma lens though, is a bit older in comparison to the newest version of Tamron.
Canon mount comparison
On the DxOMark Score the Tamron 18-270mm PZD is clearly the winner with 4 points of difference, it should be noticeable at 18mm. If you look closer on the DxOMark score map, the results are pretty close on the other measured focal.
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On resolution, vignetting and chromatic aberration we have a tie.
Homogeneity in the field is pretty good on the Tamron version nevertheless the Sigma is quite sharp as well. - Vignetting and chromatic aberration should not be a problem for any photographer on these two models.
- On transmission and distortion: the Sigma lens wins as it is slightly faster and it has better distortion management.
In conclusion, the choice remains difficult and it will more or less be a matter of preference. We think most people will prefer the Tamron 18-270mm PZD (Canon mount) as it has a better IQ especially on sharpness, and it is a lighter lens.
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD vs Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Nikon
The full lens comparison is available here:
Tamron 18-270mm PZD vs. Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM on Nikon D300s.
Here, the Sigma 18-250mm version clearly takes the lead, especially on a resolution point of view.
See other interesting comparisons …
- Tamron 18-270mm PZD Nikon mounted on Nikon D90 vs Pentax smc Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] mounted on Pentax K20D
- Tamron 18-270mm PZD Canon mounted on Canon EOS 500D vs Pentax smc Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] mounted on Pentax K20D
- Tamron 18-270mm PZD Nikon vs Tamron 18-250mm Di II mounted on Nikon D90
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR vs Tamron 18-270mm PZD Nikon on Nikon D7000
- Tamron AF 28-300mm XR Di VC LD [IF] Macro Canon vs Tamron 18-270mm PZD Canon on Canon EOS 450D
Further readings for the Looking for a super zoom for travel and holidays? Consider the Tamron 18-270 (Canon and Nikon) part 1
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
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After the Tamron 18-270mm and Sigma 18-250mm reviews, the DxOmark team offers you a series of short reviews for the 18-200mm lenses tested on our website:
For summer 2011, DxOMark delivers its super-zoom, all-in-one selection for Canon and Nikon. |