§ 03 Head to head

Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM vs Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC

Sony 18–135mm f/3.5-5.6 has a brighter maximum aperture. Tamron 18–200mm f/3.5-6.3 has a longer reach.

The Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM is an 18–135mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, and the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC is an 18–200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom. On paper the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM better than the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC?

  • Brighter maximum aperture (f/3.5-5.6 vs f/3.5-6.3)
  • Focuses 4 cm closer (0.45 m vs 0.49 m)

Why is the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC better than the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM?

  • Longer reach (200mm vs 135mm)
  • 11 mm shorter (75 mm vs 86 mm long)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Is weather sealed
  • Newer design (2015 vs 2012)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC has the edge: it is weather sealed.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAMTamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC
Focal length18–135mm 18–200mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5-5.6 ◆f/3.5-6.3
Minimum aperturef/22-36 f/22
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatAPS-C APS-C
Weight398 g (0.88 lbs) ◆400 g (14.11 oz)
Dimensions76 mm (diameter) x 86 mm (length) 96.6 x 75 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.45 m (17.7 inches) ◆0.49 m (19.29 inches)
Maximum magnification0.25x —
Image stabilizationNo Yes ◆
Weather sealingNo Yes ◆
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades7 (circular) 7
Optical construction14 elements in 11 groups 16 elements / 14 groups
Filter size62 mm 62 mm
Lens mountSony A Nikon F, Sony A, Canon EF-S
Released2012 2015
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Tamron
  • 86 × 76 mm
  • 75 × 96.6 mm

The Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM is 11 mm longer and 2 g lighter than the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM

Subaru Sambar truck
Subaru Sambar truck by jackfate641
1976 Toyota Corolla
1976 Toyota Corolla by jackfate641
Evening swim
Evening swim by jackfate641
Leaving Lauenburg on the Elbe
Leaving Lauenburg on the Elbe by Cederskjold Photo
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM review 2
Video thumbnail for Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC review 1
Video thumbnail for Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM or the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC?
The Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM opens to f/3.5-5.6, against f/3.5-6.3 on the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC.
Which is lighter, the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM or the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC?
The Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM weighs 398 g, 2 g less than the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (400 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM or the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC?
The Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.49 m for the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC.
Do the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM and the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC have image stabilization?
Only the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC has optical image stabilization.
Is the Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM or the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Tamron 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC has the edge: it is weather sealed.
08

Other comparisons