Tamron is set to announce the new Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC compact telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount cameras. This new lens is reminiscent of the Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC, which is also exclusively available for E-mount. However, with its shorter maximum focal length (300mm vs 400mm), the new 50-300mm lens is considerably shorter ( 150mm vs 183mm) and lighter ( 665g vs 1155g ) than the 50-400mm. The lens becomes 75-450mm ff equivalent on APS-C cameras such as the Sony Alpha a6700.
The 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC is expected to be announced on June 6, 2024 and start shipping on June 27th, 2024. Below is a scaled-size comparison of the 50-300mm vs 50-400mm:
Tamron 50-300mm vs 50-400mm
However, if you are planning to use this exclusively with APS-C cameras, the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS may be a good alternate as it is shorter and lighter than the 50-300mm. It is not as wide (70mm vs 50mm) but longer at the tele end (350mm vs 300mm), so it comes down to which side of the focal range is more important for you. Here is a size comparison of these two:
Tamron 50-300mm vs Sony 70-350mm
Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC Specs
- 50-300mm 6X Zoom Range
- Available for Sony E mount (covers full-frame sensor)
- 150mm (5.9") Length
- 665g (1.46 lb) Weight
- 67mm Filter Thread
- 0.50x Mag magnification and 0.22m / 8.7in Minimum Focusing Distance (at the 50mm wide end)
- VC: Optical Vibration Compensation System
- USB-C port for firmware updates and customization via TAMRON Lens Utility software and mobile app
- Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Fluorine Coating
Press Release:
TAMRON’s new 50-300mm VC zooms provides a wide 50mm starting option. Although it extends to 300mm at the telephoto end, the 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 VC features an extremely compact size with a length of just 150mm (5.9″) and a class-leading light weight[1] of 665g (23.5 oz). The compact size also produces outstanding balance when paired with an APS-C camera for 75-450mm equivalent. The expert arrangement of special lens elements effectively controls aberrations and produces high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. The lens is equipped with a VXD linear motor focus mechanism that delivers excellent quietness and agile autofocus performance, while the VC image stabilization mechanism provides powerful support for every aspect of shooting. At the 50mm wide end, the lens attains an MOD of 0.22m (8.7″) for a remarkable maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 allowing users to enjoy the world of half-macro shooting. The 50-300mm VC is packed with features that support an enriched shooting experience, such as Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, 67mm filter size, and the connector port for the dedicated TAMRON Lens UtilityTM software developed in-house by TAMRON. This Ultra Multi Focal Length all-in one zoom lens empowers users to enjoy serious photography in a user-friendly package and expands the potential for creative expression.
- Unique telephoto lens with 50mm at the wide end
- High-speed and high-precision AF with superb subject tracking performance
- Amazing half-macro shooting with an MOD of 0.22m (8.7in) at the 50mm wide end and a magnification ratio of 1:2
- Equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism
- TAMRON Lens Utility™ expands the possibilities of still photography and video shooting
- Proprietary software tool TAMRON Lens Utility for lens function customization and firmware updates
- Focus Set Button for lens function customization via the TAMRON Lens Utility
- Zoom Lock Mechanism
- Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating
- Ø67mm filter diameter for system convenience
[1] Among full-frame mirrorless compatible 300mm telephoto zoom lenses equipped with Vibration Compensation (As of June 2024: TAMRON)
