Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC review

The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is a real lightweight, in a good way

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC
(Image: © Tamron)

Digital Camera World Verdict

This budget-friendly superzoom only has half the telephoto reach of Tamron’s 18-400mm lens but it’s comparatively tiny and very lightweight. Designed for Canon and Nikon APS-C format DSLRs, it has an ‘effective’ zoom range of 28.8-320mm and 27-300mm respectively. As such, it covers an expansive sweep of focal lengths in one convenient and very travel-friendly package, making it ideal as a travel or walkabout lens. It’s pretty sharp too, with good image quality for a superzoom. Overall, it’s a smart buy and standout value at the price.

Pros

  • +

    Compact and lightweight

  • +

    Good performance

  • +

    Effective optical stabilization

Cons

  • -

    Plastic mounting plate

  • -

    Focus ring rotates during autofocus

  • -

    No full-time manual AF override

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The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is refreshingly affordable. For the sake of quality, most of us use standard zoom or prime lenses most of the time. If you’re going to splash out on a superzoom for casual snapping, it makes sense to keep the price down. This lens fits the bill nicely, as well as having a comfortably lightweight build.

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.