The Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a game-changer for photographers looking to cover a broad range of subjects without constantly changing lenses. Designed specifically for Nikon and Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, it combines a remarkably versatile focal range with compact size and advanced optical performance. What makes it stand out from typical 70-300mm lenses is its wider starting point at 50mm, allowing you to move from moderate wide-angle to telephoto without missing a beat.
This unique range makes it especially suitable for wildlife photography, travel, sports, portraiture, and even some macro-style close-ups. Weighing just 665g and measuring only 150mm in length, it offers serious reach and functionality while remaining portable and well-balanced on a mirrorless camera body. Capturing fast-moving animals in the wild, zooming in on distant details, or shooting handheld in dynamic outdoor conditions—all become more effective with the Tamron 50-300mm, a lens built to deliver outstanding results.
With features like Tamron’s fast and silent VXD autofocus motor, built-in VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization, and half-macro capabilities at the 50mm end, this lens brings flexibility and quality together in a single, affordable package. For photographers and content creators who value performance and convenience, it represents an exciting and reliable telephoto zoom option.
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Comprehensive Review
A groundbreaking 6x telephoto zoom lens, the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD promises to deliver exceptional versatility, performance, and convenience.
Overview
Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Focal Length: 50-300mm
- Aperture Range: f/4.5-6.3
- Length: 150mm (5.9″)
- Weight: 665g (23.5 oz)
- Mount: Sony E-mount
Key Features and Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50-300mm |
| Aperture Range | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Image Stabilization | VC (Vibration Compensation) |
| Length | 150mm (5.9″) |
| Weight | 665g (23.5 oz) |
| Minimum Object Distance (MOD) | 0.22m (8.7″) at 50mm |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:2 |
| Filter Size | Ø67mm |
| Autofocus | VXD linear motor focus mechanism |
| Build | Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating |
| Customization | TAMRON Lens Utility software |
| Mount Compatibility | Sony E-mount, Nikon E-mount |
Detailed Review of the Tamron 50-300mm Lens
Design and Build Quality
Tamron’s new lens features a robust yet lightweight construction. Weighing only 665g and measuring just 150mm in length, it’s highly portable without compromising durability. The lens’s exterior is fortified with moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine coating, making it well-suited for outdoor photography in unpredictable weather.
Versatility in Focal Length
Starting at 50mm, this lens offers more versatility than the typical 70-300mm lenses. The wider starting focal length allows photographers to capture broader scenes and then zoom in up to 300mm for detailed shots. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for wildlife photographers and those who need to quickly switch from wide-angle to telephoto shots without changing lenses.
Optical Performance
The lens’s optical construction includes 19 elements in 14 groups, incorporating two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and two LD (Low Dispersion) elements. This sophisticated design effectively controls chromatic aberrations and other optical distortions, delivering sharp, high-quality images across the entire zoom range. The BBAR-G2 coating minimizes ghosting and flare, ensuring clarity even in backlit conditions.
Autofocus and Image Stabilization
Equipped with the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor, the autofocus is both fast and quiet. This is essential for capturing wildlife and sports without disturbing the subjects. The VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism reduces camera shake, ensuring stable and sharp images, particularly at longer focal lengths.
Macro Capabilities
At 50mm, the lens achieves a minimum object distance of 8.7 inches (0.22m), providing a 1:2 maximum magnification ratio. This makes it excellent for half-macro photography, allowing close-up shots with stunning detail. Even at 300mm, the lens maintains a close focusing distance of 35.4 inches (0.9m) with a magnification ratio of 1:3.1.
Customization and Updates
The lens features a USB-C port for firmware updates and customization via the TAMRON Lens Utility software. This allows photographers to personalize the lens functions and keep it updated with the latest features.
In-depth Analysis: Bird and Wildlife Photography
For bird and wildlife photography, the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD excels with its extended focal length, fast autofocus, and superior image stabilization. The compact and lightweight design ensures that it is easy to carry during long outdoor sessions, and the weather-resistant build protects it from the elements.
Performance and Use
Ease of Use:
The compact design of this lens ensures ease of handling and balance, particularly when paired with APS-C cameras, providing an equivalent focal range of 75-450mm. This makes it ideal for a variety of shooting scenarios, from wildlife to sports to portraits.
Focusing:
The VXD linear motor ensures high-speed, high-precision autofocus with excellent subject tracking. This is crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects and ensures sharp focus from the minimum object distance to infinity.
Image Quality:
The lens delivers exceptional image quality with vivid colors and sharp details. The advanced optical construction and coatings ensure high resolution and contrast, even in challenging lighting conditions. The smooth bokeh effect enhances portrait and macro shots by beautifully isolating the subject from the background.
Pros and Cons of the Tamron 50-300mm Lens
Pros:
- Weather Resistance: Ensures durability in various conditions.
- Fast Autofocus: Reliable and precise, especially in dynamic situations.
- Compact and Lightweight: Easy to carry and handle.
- High Image Quality: Delivers sharp and vivid images.
- Image Stabilization: Reduces camera shake for clearer shots.
- Close Focusing Abilities: Great for half-macro photography.
- Customizable: TAMRON Lens Utility for personalization and updates.
Cons:
- None noted.
Recommended Camera To Pair With the Tamron 50-300mm
When considering a camera to pair with the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD for wildlife photography, there are several important factors: fast autofocus, high-resolution sensor, excellent low-light performance, and robust build quality. Here are a few recommendations:
Sony a7 IV
Key Features:
- Sensor: 33MP full-frame sensor
- Autofocus: Real-time Eye AF for animals, fast and accurate AF system
- ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
- Burst Shooting: Up to 10 fps
- Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Video: 4K recording capabilities
The Sony a7 IV offers a great balance of resolution, speed, and low-light performance, making it a versatile choice for wildlife photography. Its advanced autofocus system ensures that you can track fast-moving subjects with precision.
Read the full review – Sony Alpha a7 IV: Exciting Gear for Bird and Wildlife Photography
Sony a9 II
Key Features:
- Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor
- Autofocus: 693-point phase-detection AF system with Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF
- ISO Range: 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800)
- Burst Shooting: Up to 20 fps with no blackout
- Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Video: 4K recording capabilities
The Sony a9 II is designed for sports and action photography, making it ideal for wildlife photography. Its blackout-free shooting and fast continuous shooting speed allow you to capture fleeting moments with ease.
Sony a1
Key Features:
- Sensor: 50.1MP full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor
- Autofocus: 759-point phase-detection AF system with Real-time Eye AF for animals
- ISO Range: 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400)
- Burst Shooting: Up to 30 fps
- Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Video: 8K recording capabilities
The Sony a1 is the flagship model, offering unparalleled resolution and speed. It’s an excellent choice for wildlife photographers who need the best in autofocus performance and image quality.
Read the full review – The New Sony Alpha 1 II: A Bold Leap in Wildlife Photography
Sony a6600 (APS-C option)
Key Features:
- Sensor: 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor
- Autofocus: 425-point phase-detection and contrast-detection AF system with Real-time Eye AF for animals
- ISO Range: 100-32,000 (expandable to 50-102,400)
- Burst Shooting: Up to 11 fps
- Stabilization: 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- Video: 4K recording capabilities
The Sony a6600 is a great APS-C option that provides a 1.5x crop factor, effectively making the Tamron lens a 75-450mm equivalent, which is ideal for distant wildlife shots. It’s compact, lightweight, and offers excellent autofocus performance.
In Summary
Each of these cameras pairs well with the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD lens, offering different strengths depending on your specific needs and budget. For the best overall performance, the Sony a1 and Sony a9 II are top-tier choices, while the Sony a7 IV offers a balanced feature set at a more accessible price. If you prefer a lighter setup with extended reach due to the crop factor, the Sony a6600 is an excellent APS-C alternative.
Key Highlights:
- Versatile Focal Range: Starting at 50mm, the lens offers more versatility than typical 70-300mm lenses, making it suitable for a variety of photography genres, including wildlife, sports, and portrait photography.
- Compact and Lightweight: Weighing just 665g and measuring 150mm in length, the lens is portable and easy to handle, ensuring balance and comfort during extended shooting sessions.
- Superior Optical Performance: The lens’s sophisticated optical construction, including special lens elements and BBAR-G2 coating, ensures high image quality with sharp details and minimal aberrations.
- Fast and Quiet Autofocus: The VXD linear motor delivers quick and precise autofocus, with excellent subject tracking performance, ideal for capturing fast-moving subjects in wildlife photography.
- Excellent Image Stabilization: The VC mechanism provides effective image stabilization, reducing camera shake and ensuring clear, stable images, even in low-light conditions.
- Half-Macro Capabilities: With a minimum object distance of 0.22m and a 1:2 magnification ratio at 50mm, the lens excels in close-up photography.
- Robust Build: The moisture-resistant construction and fluorine coating make it durable and suitable for outdoor use in various weather conditions.
- Customizable Features: The USB-C port and TAMRON Lens Utility software allow for easy firmware updates and customization, enhancing the user experience.
Great Value for Budget-Conscious Photographers
If you’re considering the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Lens for Sony E-mount, now is an excellent time to buy. At Adorama, the price has just been reduced to $399.00, making it one of the most affordable full-frame telephoto zoom lenses available for Sony mirrorless cameras. At this price point, it offers exceptional value, especially considering its compact size, reliable autofocus performance, and solid image quality.
If you’re using a Nikon Z-mount system, the same lens is available at $499.00—still a solid deal for a telephoto lens in this class.
On Amazon, the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens is listed at $799.00 (Sony E-mount) and has received an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars based on 11 customer reviews.
Final Thoughts on Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens
The Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a thoughtfully engineered telephoto zoom lens that blends versatility, performance, and portability into one compact package. Its distinctive focal range beginning at 50mm gives photographers more flexibility for composing shots, while the 300mm reach covers distant subjects with ease—ideal for wildlife, sports, and outdoor photography.
Its lightweight build and compact size make it easy to carry on long treks or travel adventures, while Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) and VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) autofocus system ensure crisp, stable images even when shooting fast-moving subjects. The lens also offers half-macro capability for creative close-ups and features weather-resistant construction for added confidence in unpredictable conditions.
This lens is a strong addition to any mirrorless photography kit. It delivers excellent results across a variety of shooting scenarios and encourages photographers to explore more without the burden of heavy gear or lens swapping. For those looking to expand their creative reach with a reliable zoom lens, the Tamron 50-300mm hits a sweet spot in both performance and value.
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