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Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX vs Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

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Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX

Standard Zoom | Canon EF

Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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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
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD, two Standard Zoom lenses from Tokina and Tamron.

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.

Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX Key Specs

  • 16-50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 610g.
  • Diameter: 84mm
  • Length: 97mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.3m

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

What type of photography are the Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX and the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitVery GoodVery Good
TravelVery GoodVery Good
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingVery GoodVery Good
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX is the longer of the two lenses at 97mm. The Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD with a length of 82mm is 15mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX also has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD's 74mm 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. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD weighs 430g, 29% (180g) lighter than the Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX's weight of 610g.


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 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM Lens Canon 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 V USM
71mm
67mm 220g 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

Lens Mounts

Both Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX and Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD 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.

Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

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

Focal Range

Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX has a focal range of 16-50mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 25.6-80mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. 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.

Reasons to choose Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX over Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Wide 16mm vs 17mm 1mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 3.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF over Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX

Weight 430g vs 610g 180g lighter
Diameter 74mm vs 84mm 10mm smaller in diameter
Length 82mm vs 97mm 15mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.27m vs 0.3m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.22x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX and Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tokina AF-X Pro 16-50mm f2.8 DX and Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming



**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.

Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 DX vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tokina Tamron
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 APS-C / DX
Focal Range 16-50mm 17-50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock - Yes
Zoom Ratio 3.1X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 15 16
Optical Groups 12 13
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.3m 0.27m
Max Magnification unknown 0.22X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Screw drive from camera Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 610g 430g
Diameter 84mm 74mm
Length 97mm 82mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 77mm 67mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code BH-777 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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