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Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF vs Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II

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Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
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Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD vs Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II, two Standard Zoom lenses from Tamron and Sony.

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 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
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 430g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 82mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.27m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II Key Specs

  • 18-55mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 222g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 69mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:0.34x

What type of photography are the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II 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 Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II
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

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 Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II with a length of 69mm is 13mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD also has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II's 72mm diameter.

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. Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II weighs 222g, 48% (208g) 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 Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Lens Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
98mm
78mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
69mm
70mm 210g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Lens Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
88mm
81mm 577g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC USD
117mm
88mm 825g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
89mm
74mm 395g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
95mm
89mm 790g 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
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (DX) 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 25.5-75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II has a focal range of 18-55mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 27-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF over Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 18mm 1mm 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 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

Reasons to choose Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II over Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Tele 55mm vs 50mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 3.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 222g vs 430g 208g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 74mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Length 69mm vs 82mm 13mm shorter
Filter Thread 55mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.27m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.34x 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 Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II
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 Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 17-50mm 18-55mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock Yes -
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 3.1X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 16 8
Optical Groups 13 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.27m 0.25m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.34X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Micromotor
Full Time Manual
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 430g 222g
Diameter 74mm 72mm
Length 82mm 69mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Unknown Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 55mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes No
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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