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Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD vs Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

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Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD

Telephoto Zoom | Canon EF

Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD
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Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Telephoto Zoom | Canon EF

Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
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Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD vs Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD and Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Tamron and Canon. Both lenses have the same focal range of 70-300mm but different max apertures: Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD has a max aperture of F4.0 - F5.6 while the Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM has a max aperture of F4.5 - F5.6.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 765g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 143mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.25x

Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 720g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 100mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.06x

What type of photography are the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD and Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD and the Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsGoodGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeAverageAverage
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD is the longer of the two lenses at 143mm. The Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM with a length of 100mm is 43mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 82mm.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM weighs 720g, 5% (45g) lighter than the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD's weight of 765g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM
143mm
77mm 630g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
122mm
71mm 480g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM
199mm
89mm 1490g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II Lens Canon 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II
79mm
69mm 250g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Lens Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM S
269mm
120mm 2700g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
290mm
121mm 1930g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM
193mm
94mm 1590g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM
189mm
92mm 1380g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD and Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD is also available in Nikon F (FX) mount.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD over Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Max Aperture - Wide 4 vs 4.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 6 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Max Magnification 0.25x vs 0.06x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM over Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD

Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 720g vs 765g 45g lighter
Length 100mm vs 143mm 43mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 1.4m vs 1.5m can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD and Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Image Stabilization Yes vs Yes Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD and Canon EF 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 VC USD vs Canon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 DO IS USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Canon
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-300mm 70-300mm
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No Yes
Zoom Ratio 4.3X 4.3X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.0 - F5.6 F4.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0 - F45.0 F32.0 - F38.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 6
Optics
Optical Elements 17 18
Optical Groups 12 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1.5m 1.4m
Max Magnification 0.25X 0.06X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Rear
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 765g 720g
Diameter 82mm 82mm
Length 143mm 100mm
Materials Plastic barrel, metal mount Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 62mm 58mm
Filter Notes Does not rotate on focusing -
Hood Supplied Yes Unknown
Hood Code Unknown ET-65B
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - Soft Case LP1116
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