Tamron has produced a host of excellent lenses for Sony over the last couple of years and has recently been fleshing out its offerings for APS-C. How good is Tamron’s new 11-20mm f/2.8, and should you consider it over the equivalent Sony f/4 lens?
Chris Niccolls from DPReview TV takes the 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD out for a walk through Alberta, and it’s not much of a spoiler to say that Tamron has again produced an excellent lens. There’s no stabilization built into this lens, and it’s also missing an autofocus toggle switch. That said, this is still an excellent comparison to the Sony equivalent, the 10-18mm, which is slightly slower at f/4 but has the stabilization that the Tamron is missing. However, unlike the Tamron, the Sony notably lacks any weather-sealing.
In the past, many considered Tamron to be a budget alternative to Sony’s own lenses, but it’s no longer so simple. Tamron has identified a niche and filled it intelligently, and with a product that doesn’t need to compromise too strongly in terms of price — it’s just $70 cheaper — thanks to the fact that it offers such good quality.
Have you added the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 to your arsenal? Are you pondering a purchase? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
It is odd for them to omit stabilization in the lens when only 1 of Sony's APSC sensor cameras has IBIS.
If the Tamron had stabilization it would be a no brainer. Since it doesn't, the Sony lens is the one to get unless you have the A6600 IMO
I don't think Tamron ever had stabilization on Sony.
Black Z Eddie . Actually Tamron's 17-70 lens for Sony APSC (released right before this one) does have Vibration Compensation, their version of lens stabilization. A solid lens in every sense of the word, glad I picked one up.
Matt Edwards It depends on your purpose, because if you're primarily video, you're absolutely correct. However, if you are taking photos, most of the time a wide lens is a bit more forgiving for hand-held snaps versus a zoom lens. Not to mention if you're doing landscape/astro/architectural photography with this wide lens, chances are you'll have a tripod.
I want one of these lenses, but I already blew my budget on the 17-70 a few weeks back. Oh well, there's always Christmas...