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Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF vs Canon EF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM

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Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD

Standard Zoom | Canon EF

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
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Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM

Standard Zoom | Canon EF

Canon EF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM
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Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD vs Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD for the EF Mount and the Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM for the EF Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses from Tamron and Canon.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Key Specs

  • 17-50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 430g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 82mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.27m
  • Max Magnification: 0.22x

Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM Key Specs

  • 28-80mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 220g.
  • Diameter: 67mm
  • Length: 71mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.38m
  • Max Magnification: 0.26x

What type of photography are the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V 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 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and the Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroFairAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is the longer of the two lenses at 82mm. The Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM with a length of 71mm, is 11mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD also has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to the Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM's 67mm diameter.

The 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 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM weighs 220g, 48% (210g) lighter than the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD's weight of 430g.


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

Standard Zoom Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM Lens Canon 24-105mm f4L IS USM
107mm
84mm 670g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35-80mm f4.0-5.6 III Lens Canon 35-80mm f4.0-5.6 III
64mm
65mm 175g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM Lens Canon 24-70mm f2.8L II USM
113mm
89mm 805g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Canon 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM
97mm
78mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM Lens Canon 24-70mm f2.8L USM
124mm
83mm 950g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 24-70mm f4L IS USM Lens Canon 24-70mm f4L IS USM
93mm
83mm 600g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
92mm
84mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and the Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon T8i, Canon 90D and Canon SL3.

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is also available in Nikon F (DX) , Sony Alpha and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD has a focal range of 17-50mm and 2.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27.2-80mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM has a focal range of 28-80mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 44.8 - 128mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF over Canon EF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 28mm 11mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs 5 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Minimum Focus Distance 0.27m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Canon EF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM over Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Tele 80mm vs 50mm 30mm more Tele coverage
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weight 220g vs 430g 210g lighter
Diameter 67mm vs 74mm 7mm smaller in diameter
Length 71mm vs 82mm 11mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification 0.26x vs 0.22x higher magnification better for close-up shots
Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF and Canon EF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
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 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD vs Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Canon
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 17-50mm 28-80mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock Yes No
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0 F22.0 - F38.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 5
Optics
Optical Elements 16 10
Optical Groups 13 10
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.27m 0.38m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.26X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Micro-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 430g 220g
Diameter 74mm 67mm
Length 82mm 71mm
Materials - Plastic barrel, plastic mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 67mm 58mm
Hood Supplied Yes -
Hood Code - EW-60C
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - Soft Case LP814
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