Tamron 17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD
Launch MSRP
$799- Weight
- 460g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.19m
- Max mag.
- 0.26×
- Formula
- 15E / 13G
- Released
- 2023
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x LD
- 1x GM
- 2x Hybrid Aspherical
- BBAR-G2 Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 460g
- ⌀ × length
- 74.8 × 114.4mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.19m
- Max magnification
- 0.26× (1:3.8)
Optical character
Tamron called this the first full-frame zoom to cover 17-50mm. It runs from true ultra-wide to a normal 50mm in one 460g, internally zooming body with a 67mm filter thread. The constant f/4 aperture keeps it small, and since the length never changes it suits gimbals and travel.
Three LD, one GM and two hybrid aspherical elements control aberrations, with BBAR-G2 coating against flare. The VXD linear motor is fast and quiet enough for video. Close focus is 0.19m at 17mm and 1:3.8 at 50mm, which makes it handy for food and detail shots. A USB-C port gives access to Tamron Lens Utility customisation.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers rate it sharp in the centre throughout. The corners are good at the middle focal lengths but softer at 17mm and at 50mm wide open, and they improve stopped down. Distortion at 17mm is strong uncorrected and corrected well by profiles. AF is fast and accurate, and the internal zoom gets praise for video.
Testers see it as an excellent one-lens travel option rather than a replacement for f/2.8 zooms. The f/4 aperture limits low-light and background blur, and some found the 50mm end the weakest. Value is considered very good.
Owner sentiment
Owners like that it covers landscape-wide and everyday-normal without a lens change, and many use it as a hiking or city-travel lens. The constant length and quiet AF suit vloggers.
Common complaints are the f/4 aperture indoors, the lack of reach past 50mm for some, softer edges at 17mm, and a slightly front-heavy feel on small bodies. Some miss an AF/MF switch.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Unique 17-50mm range
- +Internal zoom, 460g
- +Fast, quiet VXD AF
- +1:3.8 close focus at 50mm
- +67mm filters, moisture resistant
Weaknesses
- −f/4 limits low light and blur
- −Softer edges at 17mm and 50mm wide open
- −Strong distortion needs correction
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.2
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.0
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.6
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 8.1
- Value / Size
- 8.7
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 17–50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 15 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | 3x LD · 1x GM · 2x Hybrid Aspherical · BBAR-G2 Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | VXD Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.19m |
| Max magnification | 0.26× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 460g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 74.8 × 114.4mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Launch MSRP | $799 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a068/
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a068/spec.html
- tamron-americas.com/product/17-50mm-f-4-di-iii-vxd/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD vs 20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
- VS17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD vs 20-60mm F2.8-4 DG | Contemporary
- VS17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD vs FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
- TamronDi III VXD
20-40mm F/2.8 Di III VXD
20–40mmF2.8- WT
- 365g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.17m
- MSRP
- $739
AFWR - SigmaContemporary
20-60mm F2.8-4 DG | Contemporary
20–60mmF2.8–4- WT
- 375g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.16m
- MSRP
- $849
AFWR - SonyG
FE 24-50mm F2.8 G
24–50mmF2.8- WT
- 440g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.18m
- MSRP
- $1,100
AFWRRING·DC
