Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS § 03 Head to head
Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS vs Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Sony 18–200mm f/3.5-6.3 is 160 g lighter. Tamron 18–300mm f/3.5-6.3 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS is an 18–200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom, and the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is an 18–300mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.
Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS 
Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS better than the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD?
- 160 g lighter (460 g vs 620 g)
- 29 mm shorter (97.1 mm vs 125.6 mm long)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
Why is the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD better than the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS?
- Longer reach (300mm vs 200mm)
- Focuses 35 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.5 m)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2012)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS | Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 18–200mm | 18–300mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-6.3 | f/3.5-6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/40 | f/40 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 460 g (16.23 oz) ◆ | 620 g |
| Dimensions | 68 x 97.1 mm | 75.5 x 125.6 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.50 m (19.69 inches) | 0.15 m ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.5x |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 13 groups | 19 elements / 15 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm ◆ | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X |
| Released | 2012 | 2021 |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Tamron
- 97.1 × 68 mm
- 125.6 × 75.5 mm
The Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is 28 mm longer and 160 g heavier than the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS.
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Sample frames
Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS or the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD?
- The Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS weighs 460 g, 160 g less than the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (620 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS or the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD?
- The Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.5 m for the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS.
- Do the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS and the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD have image stabilization?
- Only the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS or the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS or the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 LE OSS has the edge: it is 160 g lighter to carry.
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