§ 03 Head to head
Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM vs Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO
Canon 28–200mm f/3.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture. Tamron 28–300mm f/3.5-6.3 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM is a 28–200mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, and the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO is a 28–300mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.
01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM better than the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO?
- Brighter maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.6 vs f/3.5-6.3)
- 55 g lighter (500 g vs 555 g)
- 9 mm shorter (89.6 mm vs 99 mm long)
- Focuses 4 cm closer (0.45 m vs 0.49 m)
Why is the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO better than the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM?
- Longer reach (300mm vs 200mm)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 6)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 72 mm)
- Newer design (2007 vs 2000)
02
Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM has the edge: it is 55 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM has the edge: it is 55 g lighter to carry.
- macro For macro photography, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.45 m.
03
Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM | Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 28–200mm | 28–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.6 ◆ | f/3.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-36 | f/22-40 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 500 g (17.64 oz) ◆ | 555 g (19.58 oz) |
| Dimensions | 78.4 x 89.6 mm | 78.1 x 99 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.45 m (17.72 inches) ◆ | 0.49 m (19.29 inches) |
| Image stabilization | — | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 6 | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 12 groups | 18 elements / 13 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2000 | 2007 |
04
Size
- A · Canon
- B · Tamron
- 89.6 × 78.4 mm
- 99 × 78.1 mm
The Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO is 9 mm longer and 55 g heavier than the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM.
05
Sample frames
Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM or the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO?
- The Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM opens to f/3.5-5.6, against f/3.5-6.3 on the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO.
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM or the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO?
- The Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM weighs 500 g, 55 g less than the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO (555 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM or the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO?
- The Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.49 m for the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO.
- Is the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM or the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM has the edge: it is 55 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM or the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO better for travel?
- For travel, the Canon EF 28-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 USM has the edge: it is 55 g lighter to carry.
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