Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD superzoom review

Tamron's latest DSLR superzoom offers every focal length that most photographers will need in one lens. But is it any good?

Digital Camera World Verdict

This lens is the superzoom of choice if you want maximum telephoto reach. However, Tamron’s 16-300mm has a slightly wider angle of view, is smaller and lighter inweight, and better value for money.

Pros

  • +

    Good levels of sharpness for a superzoom

  • +

    Customisation via optional console

  • +

    Built-in vibration control

Cons

  • -

    Fringing can be noticeable at 300-400mm

  • -

    Only available for Canon and Nikon APS-C DSLRs

  • -

    No focus distance on lens barrel

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Tamron has a history of pushing the envelope in superzoom lens design.
For sheer zoom range, its 18-250mm, 18-270mm and 16-300mm were all world-beaters when launched, and this new 18-400mm lens follows suit. With a gobsmacking 22.2x zoom range, it combines a wide-angle setting, a super telephoto, and everything in between in the single lens.

The unprecedented 400mm telephoto reach is equivalent to a stonking 600mm in full-frame terms, when the lens is on a 1.5x crop-sensor Nikon like the D3400 or D7500, or a 640mm when on a 1.6x crop-sensor Canon like the EOS 1200D or Rebel T6i.

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