Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS § 03 Head to head
Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 96 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 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 the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 OSS better than the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD?
- 96 g lighter (524 g vs 620 g)
- 27 mm shorter (99 mm vs 125.6 mm long)
- Has optical image stabilization
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 OSS?
- Longer reach (300mm vs 200mm)
- Focuses 15 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.3 m)
- Is weather sealed
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2010)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD has the edge: it is weather sealed.
- architecture For architecture, the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS has the edge: it is 96 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 | 524 g (18.48 oz) ◆ | 620 g |
| Dimensions | 75.5 x 99 mm | 75.5 x 125.6 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) | 0.15 m ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.5x |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | No | Yes ◆ |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 | 7 |
| Optical construction | 17 elements / 12 groups | 19 elements / 15 groups |
| Filter size | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X |
| Released | 2010 | 2021 |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Tamron
- 99 × 75.5 mm
- 125.6 × 75.5 mm
The Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is 27 mm longer and 96 g heavier than the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS.
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Sample frames
Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
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 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 OSS weighs 524 g, 96 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 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 0.3 m for the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS.
- Do the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 OSS has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 Tamron 18-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD has the edge: it is weather sealed.
- Is the Sony E 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 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 OSS has the edge: it is 96 g lighter to carry.
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