Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD: An In-Depth Review

A Compact and Versatile Ultra-Telephoto Zoom for Sony E – The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a compact and versatile ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It offers a unique focal range that covers standard to super-telephoto angles of view, with a constant f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture that enables low-light shooting and shallow depth of field effects.

It also features a weather-resistant construction, a fast and quiet autofocus system, an effective optical stabilization system, and a close minimum focus distance. In this review, we will look at the main features, pros and cons of this lens, based on various sources¹²³⁴⁵.

Introduction

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD was announced in January 2023 as a compact and versatile ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is part of Tamron's Di III series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance for mirrorless cameras.

It is also part of Tamron's VC VXD series of lenses, which are characterized by their optical stabilization and linear motor technologies.

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is the first lens of its kind to offer a 50-400mm focal range for full-frame cameras. It is also the first lens in Tamron's lineup to cover the standard to super-telephoto range for full-frame cameras.

This lens is compatible with Sony's Fast Hybrid AF system, Eye AF function, Direct Manual Focus (DMF) mode, and in-camera lens correction features. It also supports firmware updates via the camera body.

Features

Feature	Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Mount	Sony E
Format	Full-frame
Focal Length	50-400mm
Full-Frame Equivalent	50-400mm
Maximum Aperture	f/4.5-6.3
Minimum Aperture	f/22
Angle of View	31°11′-6°12′
Optical Design	21 elements in 15 groups
Special Elements	One XLD element, four LD elements, two hybrid aspherical elements
Coatings	BBAR-G2 coating, fluorine coating
Aperture Blades	9 (rounded)
Minimum Focus Distance	0.8m (wide) / 1.5m (tele)
Maximum Magnification Ratio	0.18x (wide) / 0.28x (tele)
Autofocus System	VXD linear motor
Optical Stabilization System	VC (Vibration Compensation)
Filter Size	67mm
Weather Resistance	Yes (dust and moisture resistant)
Dimensions	86 x 209 mm
Weight	1,115 g

The Pros and Cons of Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Pros

Compact and lightweight design

Unique standard-super tele zoom range

Fast and quiet autofocus system

Effective optical stabilization system

Close minimum focus distance

Weather-resistant construction

Cons

Variable maximum aperture

Tripod mounting ring sold separately

Exclusive to Sony E mount

Conclusion

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a compact and versatile ultra-telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras that offers a unique focal range that covers standard to super-telephoto angles of view, with a constant f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture that enables low-light shooting and shallow depth of field effects.

It delivers excellent optical performance across its focal range, with sharpness, contrast, color rendition, and bokeh that rival or surpass some of the first-party alternatives from Sony. It also controls chromatic aberrations, flares, and ghosting very well, thanks to its special elements and coatings.

However, it also shows some vignetting and distortion, especially at the wide end, which can be corrected in-camera or in post-processing.

This lens features a fast and quiet autofocus system that uses a VXD linear motor to drive the focus group with high precision and speed. It also features an effective optical stabilization system that uses a VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism to reduce camera shake and blur.

It also has a close minimum focus distance of 0.8m at the wide end and 1.5m at the tele end, which allows for some creative close-up shots with a telephoto perspective.

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD has a compact and lightweight design that makes it easy to carry and handle, especially for an ultra-telephoto zoom lens. It also has a weather-resistant construction that protects it from dust and moisture, and a fluorine coating that repels water and oil from the front element.

However, it does not come with a tripod mounting ring, which is sold separately as an optional accessory. It is also exclusive to Sony E mount, which limits its compatibility with other camera systems.

The Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a very attractive option for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless camera users who are looking for a compact and versatile ultra-telephoto zoom lens that offers high image quality and performance for various genres of photography and videography, such as wildlife, sports, travel, portraits, and more.

It is also very competitively priced, which is cheaper than some of the first-party alternatives from Sony that offer similar or shorter zoom ranges or slower apertures.

If you are looking for a compact and versatile ultra-telephoto zoom lens for your Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and performance for various genres of photography and videography, then the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD may be the best choice for you.