Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 VC PZD full lens review (with samples) 

OMG, I've been waiting and searching for this review from the internet for ages and finally you made it. Thank you so much!!!

I absolutely love how in-depth your reviews are!! Keep up the good work :D

Absolutely love your review. It's not bias, the video is not long, good tests to the lens and I love the comparison to a similar direct competitor.

Finally a good old review and I'm actually quite glad it was by someone sensible like you. I was looking into buying the 18-270 and then I saw this on the Tamron page and I have been waiting ages for someone to make a review... But OMG I'm so jealous I want the 70D and this lens. It's part of my ideal all in one kit. As always great review and I hope to see many more.

Greatest Review of this lens yet! Good Job!

Awesome review! A nice balance between technical info & photo comparisons!

The best review I've seen on this lens. Thanx!

Great review and nice to see the comparison at the end.

After missing an opportunity to snap an extremely low flying bomber as I had the Tamron 70-300 fitted and I didn't have time to switch lenses I realised at that moment I needed a single lens to cover the full range from 18-300. That was 3 years ago now and not got one yet as I just don't use my camera enough. As I'm off on holiday next year now is the time and I'm leaning strongly towards the Tamron. Despite the issues it's ticking all the boxes. The user reviews are great and your final words are sealing the deal for me. Thanks for the review.

Great review. Thank you for taking so much time to do that.

Using this lens with my D5300 and it rocks.

Thank you for the very informative review. I was debating to get this lens and after watching your review I'll hold off on it. I just bought the 28-300 Tamron and it does well on both my full frame and APSC cameras.

Got 70d 2 days ago & i was searching for all in one lens Thanks for the review.

I'm actually pretty glad I bought this lens. I put it on any time I don't want to take all of my gear with me it does a pretty decent job. It's definitley not super sharp, nor does it have a super cool bokeh (which is to be expected since it's obviously a compromise) but it's sharp enough, especially for wide angle shots and it gives you the option to get decent looking shots that you just wouldn't have gotten otherwise (either because it would've taken too long to change the lens or because you just didn't take the right lens with you). A little bit of post-sharpening in lightroom and your pictures look quite nice. I even got some solid night & long exposure shots out of it, that got great reviews on 500px. To sum up: If you don't feel like carrying your whole gear with you some time and you still want to make sure that you're not missing out on shots of any sort, this is probably the best choice you have.

would love to see a Canon 135mm f/2 L lens review from you :) just ordered one myself and cant wait for it to be delivered. heard only amazing things about that piece of glass!

Great photography review of this Tamron lens. I don't have any Tamrons but am thinking about it.

Very good job reviewing this item. Thanks!

I didn't hear any buzzing from the auto focus in video mode. Is it just as silent as an stm lens?

I've just bought this lens for my Canon EOS 60D for hassle free photography. As many guys have recommended, I'd also thought of buying a 70-300 mm lens, but most of them were launched before 2010. This lens was launched this year only and offers much wider focal ranges along with macro. Some flaws that it has are acceptable and can be mended. Let's see how its going to be. The product is yet to be delivered.

Excellent review! This is how reviews should be! It gave me pointers and tips too. Thank you!

Another brilliant review :)

Excellent review! Thanks.

Fantastic review! I don't think it could have been done much better. I was hoping for this review, because I've been interested in this lens. I think that as long as I can get rid of chromatic aberration in post production, this should be a good lens. Definitely, the 16mm wide-angle ability is a very attractive feature.

Brilliant review - thank you!

Superb review. Thanks

Excellent review!

Great review! Thanks!

An excellent info packed review. Thank you for posting and probably saving me 500 quid.

Thanks for the review (:

Super useful review. Thumbs up.

I use this lens with my D5500 and it is great. Love the color and contrast of that lens.

nice review ... the chromatic aberration demons in the lens just knocked me out haha :D

Overall, this lens is great all around. I'd love to have one of this.

This review is wonderfully well made, congrats!! Can you correct the defects of this lens with software afterwards?

EVERY MUSIC-VIDEO PRODUCER OR CREW NEEDS ONE OF THESE TOO. Published on Jun 4, 2014 Here we go with a ground-breaking new lens from Tamron. With its super-zoom range of 16-300mm (!)

Hey Christopher as far as I can see you've never made a review for the Tamron 28-300, any chance that will happen? I'm very curious about this lens :) All the best and keep up the good work!

A repetitive comment: excellent review :D especially in the end when you said that you won't be shooting weddings just like me. I think this lens is perfect for hobbyist.

ive got this lense on my d5100, your results are different from mine, im very happy with the lense

Kit lens no.3, good review Thanks bro.

Thank You for the guidance....the lens will be for a general all purpose use...to print A4 to A3 max....still new to all the terminology..

thorough enough. good hustle.

It is great lenses for travel only . I do like it..I going to buy it. I never seen other lenses like the tamron 16-300mm it is long range . Every time I saw a lenses on internet for canon or sony e mount I always watch christopher frost videos they have more knowledge than other people doing reviews

Love this lens!!the best .

Hi, I have the 18-270mm Tamron piezo drive....does it compensate to switch for this one??? Cheers!

wooooooooowwww!!!!! This is amazing! Despite the fringing this might be a nice travel lens. I hope my dreams stay in tact though :/ Great review as always!!!!

Just got this puppy used in early 2021 for abt. 220 EUR. Thanks for the informative though not too flattering review.

Its good for those who don't want to change lenses while traveling. I also prefer using this lens while traveling to the Canon's 18-55 mm kit lens, despite its (Tamron's) poorer image quality and chromatic aberrations. The color reproduction is good, the images usually are on a softer side even with the smallest apertures. Compared to Canon's 18-55mm kit lens, the image quality is significantly softer. The photographs contain a lot of noise at ISOs 800 and beyond, which is disappointing. The Chromatic Aberration and distortion are yet another things to be disliked. However, the lens is very handy and has an amazing zoom range with an ability to take macro shots (although not like dedicated macro lenses). Overall, I'd like to rate its image quality at 7/10 at lower ISOs in broad daylight and 6/10 for higher ISOs and lower lights. I am using this lens on my Canon EOS 60D.

You have a knack for reviewing basically every lens I am curious about! Do you think you would ever review the Bigron 150-600?

This is definitely the next lens for my Canon EOS600D !

Chris, Thank you for the review. I just learned of this lens while searching for a travel lens to replace my Canon EF-S 18-55 & 55-250 STM lens. Originally was looking at the canon 18-200 IS or the 18-135 STM. May I please have your thoughts and insight on what you think I should go with? Purpose: for a walk around, travel, inside, outside, street and landscape photography hobbyist. (who has Lightroom and photoshop :) ) Kind regards.

Hey Christopher, Tamron released the 18-400mm lens last year. I would love to hear your thoughts on that one. Any plans on creating a review of it? Thanks!

this obiectiv is good from canon 90 d, and from mode sport? thanks...

Hi Christopher I bought a canon 7d mark 11 and I'm looking for a lens that is suitable for traveling day and night with excellent quality photos, could you please help me which one I'm going to buy, thank you very much in advance.

Hi Chris am looking to purchase the Canon 70D and was seriously thinking of putting the Tamron 16-300 lense on it. As im a novice just wanting to take really good photos of my kids doing funny stuff and playing sports i thought this may be able to cover all bases??? What do you recommend for such an amatuer like myself ?? Cheers for any info and thanks for the informative reviews.

Christopher Frost Photography I really can't make up my mind regarding a travel superzoom lens to go along my 35mm. Its between this, Sigma 18-200/18-250mm Macro or the nikon alternative.

it´s really impressiv what tamron had made here, they have improved the sharpnes really god. it´s really sad that this CAs are so much that you can see them already on the camerascreen.

Hi,Chirstopher.this lenses compare to Tamron 10-270mm f/ 3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD which image quality is better?

My mind was set on buying this lens as an "All-in-one" walk-around lens until I learned of a 18-400mm lens. I'll wait for your review of that lens before I finally make my mind up. Thanks for your reviews.

Hi. Love your reviews. I was wondering if the chromatic aberration is reduced when the 'reduce chromatic aberration' option is used in the 70D. Thanks.

Cool lens.. but i think its too expensive :/ Thanks for the review Chris !

hi.. would you mind to suggest me a very good macro zoom lens that I could get below $700? Mainly for concerts or indoor.. Thank you in advance ;)

Thank you for your review sir. I just would like to ask if you have observed a movement or shift of the image in the viewfinder when you half pressed the shutter button?

Does it suitable for sony alpha 58?? Nd available in india??

Could it be possible for you to cancel the background piano music? Thank you.

nice test

what size lens protector is suitable for this lens ?

Does anyone know how this compares to the Nikon 18-300 in terms of sharpness?

Do you think this lens can replace the older Tamron 18-200mm?

"Hope I can still have kids😂😂"

The16-300mm Model # B016 external Zoom wears out very easily and you wind up with lens creep when you point the lens at the ground it automatically extends out on its own and when you point the camera up it will collaps under its own weight? that problem is non fixable according to camera repair? My lens was used very little, I understand that Tamron made a newer lens that extends inside sometime after 2014, you might verify with Tamron?

...how does the autofocus work in video mode with the 70D's tracking AF? My experience with the two Tamron lenses I have has been very negative. lens communication errors and video mode asks if a lens is connected... I have the 17-50mm f/2.8 and the 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 I love them but not for the 70D in AF tracking video mode

Shot a thunderstorm with this lens and sadly, the lens broke, as did my camera. Was so saddened by that, because yeah. I've got good experiences with this lens. It isn't to heavy, it's quite compact in my eyes and it offers me quite good quality. Also you can move it fast. It does however has a very weird sharpness ring that I do not good. And when filming, the focusing is really noisy. For the price you pay for it, it's acceptable. Let's keep it at that. Would have loved it to be rainproof though, then I actually still could use it today. Because I am really am missing my zoom capicity xD

Aside from the lens review I like very much when you take a shot of your Bible aswell of the daily study Bible. Overall the best selling book in the world.

can I use it with nikon d5200 and canon 700d?

Hey, Christopher, have you done a comparison of Canon 18-55mm stm kit lens and 18-135mm stm? Or could you please do it know.

Can someone tell me if this lens is better or worse than the Nikon kit lens (18-55mm F/3.5-5.6? I have the kit lens that comes with the Nikon D3300) image quality-wise?

Reminds me of the 75-300mm Tamron.

Great Review! Thanks... (Subscribed :)

Hi.Maybe you can test the lens Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM ? thank you

Can you post a review of Tamron 28-300mm lens ??

Hey Chris i must say i really appreciate your reviews. I bought the Tamron 17-50 2.8f non-vc one and i love it but i do want more zoom. Thinking about buying either this lens or the 70-300mm vc since i already have the 17-50mm one. This one is so tempting but i do mind the image quality of course. What do you suggest?

would this work on a Sony A7Riii e mount mirrorless camera ???

I'm wondering if you can use a teleconverter with this lens? I use it on a canon t5i. I'm looking to get more reach with out the cost of the 150-600. Thanks!

Hello, which is your choice between 18-300, 16-300 and 18-400 ? Which one do you prefer for landscape and nature photography? Do you have any other suggestions?

I have canon 18 55 IS STM and 55 250 IS STM should I switch these two for this Tamron ?

Thank you for this informative video, as a mother of 4 children in the sporting world would this lens be suitable for action pictures? (taking multiple pictures on sport setting)

Just got this Lens............ its much much better than I thought it was going to be. basically years ago my main lens was a Sigma 18-200 zoom lens I took it EVEYWHERE some of my best shots were taken with that lens despite the distortion/chromatic aberration and general flaws. I did upgrade to a pricey Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 Lens which was amazing! I've used Prime lenses a lot also. ended up selling stuff and only having a 50mm prime for 3 years solid.... how did I manage? well I didn't really take many pics out and about. I bought this as a replacement for my old 18-200 as a walkabout lens. and Liked the extra range it had. as soon as I opened it I could tell the quality difference! ok its not super heavy but it feels really good! doesn't feel like a cheap lens, I read some review liking it to "Kit lens quality" in terms of image quality , is NOT ! its rugged, tactile. attached it to my Canon 60D, took a few snaps and instantly noticed a marked improvement over my old Zoom lens. tried it outside and immediately noticed how well it copes with 300mm. On my Sigma 18-200 it got pretty dull/dark and darker edges at 200 is one keeps everything bright, consistent all over And maybe I got lucky?? but ZERO C/A the on board stabilization works a charm here too. kept things much still! its an ace lens so far! really exceeded my expectations in everyway!. I'm going to Anglesey, Wales for a few days next week and I just cant wait to get snapping !!!!!!!

Hi Chris. Thanks for your review. Do you think i should buy the canon 15-85 or the tamron 16-300 for a general purpose lens for my travels ? Knowing that for low light and depth of field, I have a canon 50mm 1.4 and i ll get the canon 24mm 2.8 pancake when it s released (and after watching your review about it of course).

Hi, why the lens has red dot. APS-C format normally have White dot. Isn't it. Please if any one knows let me know. because I want to buy this lens for my canon full frame camera.

Does it work with Nikon D5200?

can it be used on full frame

Tamron have come a long way their lenses are one of the best ones out there could you possibly review 28-75 pls

Love all your reviews Christopher! I have the sigma 70-300mm which you made a review of a while back. How do you feel this tamron 16-300mm compares to the sigma? Would it be worth upgrading to this? Thanks!

Thank you very much for the review. I'm wondering how the image quality in the telephoto range of this lens compares to that of Tamron's SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD, which also gets very good reviews. I have a full-frame 6D, so perhaps with the higher ISO capabilities, it's possible to get away with smaller aperture. Or having the F2.8 would be much more easier to capture low-light conditions?

Is this good for landscape photos and portraits?

Chris, did you try it on your full frame camera? I know there will be large vignetting, but will it fit to Canon EF mount generally (like Sigma 18-35m f/1.8 Art lens is fitting)?

good for canon 80d? for photography

Thank you Chris for your special and useful guide, epecially for the examples that are te same in all your videos. This Tamron, compared with the Sigma 18-300 has really a poor lens system. I will buy the second one! Greetings!!!

thanks for yr video, what about sharpness with this lens rather than a canon lens such as 24-70 or 105? also, why with all these advantages, some sources like DXOmark gives it score close to poor (16 out of 50)?!

Wow, 16-300mm. Eyes on the Tamron this time.