Tamron 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Launch MSRP
$1,299- Weight
- 1,155g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.25m
- Max mag.
- 0.50×
- Formula
- 24E / 18G
- Released
- 2022
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x XLD
- 3x LD
- 1x GM Aspherical
- 1x Hybrid Aspherical
- BBAR-G2 Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/4.5–6.3 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,155g
- ⌀ × length
- 88.5 × 183.4mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.25m
- Max magnification
- 0.50× (1:2.0)
Optical character
Tamron's 8x zoom was the first 50-400mm for full-frame mirrorless. It still takes 67mm filters and weighs 1155g. It covers everything from a 50mm environmental frame to distant wildlife, and focuses to 1:2 at the 50mm end, which also makes it useful for close-up nature work.
Tamron's VC stabilisation includes a panning mode on Sony bodies. The VXD linear motor tracks birds and field sports well when the light holds up for f/6.3.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers describe it as good to very good across most of the range, with a slight softening above 300mm at f/6.3 that mostly clears up by f/8. AF is fast and VC is effective.
Testers note it is a range-and-convenience lens, not a replacement for 100-400 GM-class optics. It is slower at the long end, and the external zoom extends the barrel considerably.
Owner sentiment
Owners like going from landscape to wildlife without changing lenses, and say travel and safari trips are where it pays off. The half-life-size close focus at 50mm surprises many buyers.
The complaints are about 400mm sharpness compared with dedicated telephotos, f/6.3 in dim conditions, and front-heaviness when fully extended. No tripod foot is included, though one is available as an accessory.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +50–400mm (8x) range on full frame
- +1:2 macro-ish magnification at 50mm
- +Effective VC with panning mode
- +67mm filters, moisture-resistant
- +Strong value for the reach
Weaknesses
- −f/6.3 at the long end
- −Softer above 300mm wide open
- −Barrel extends significantly when zoomed
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.2
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.5
- Flare Resistance
- 7.8
- Build / Sealing
- 8.1
- Value / Size
- 9.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50–400mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5–6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 24 elements in 18 groups |
| Special elements | 2x XLD · 3x LD · 1x GM Aspherical · 1x Hybrid Aspherical · BBAR-G2 Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | VXD Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.25m |
| Max magnification | 0.50× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 1,155g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 88.5 × 183.4mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,299 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a067/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD vs FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD vs 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
- VS50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD vs 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- SonyG
FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
70–300mmF4.5–5.6- WT
- 854g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.90m
- MSRP
- $1,200
AFSTABWR - TamronDi III RXD
70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
70–300mmF4.5–6.3- WT
- 545g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $549
AFWR - TamronDi III VC VXD
50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
50–300mmF4.5–6.3- WT
- 665g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.22m
- MSRP
- $799
AFSTABWR
