Are you a passionate photographer looking to upgrade your gear and wondering which lens to choose between the Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 and Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3? You’re not alone.
Both lenses have gained popularity among photographers for their unique features and capabilities, catering to different types of photography.
In this comprehensive comparison, we dive deep into the strengths and weaknesses of each lens, helping you make an informed decision that best suits your creative vision.
Whether you’re an avid landscape photographer, a talented portrait artist, or a travel enthusiast capturing memories, selecting the right lens is crucial in achieving the desired results. The Nikon and Tamron lenses both offer a multitude of benefits, including portability, versatile focal lengths, and image quality that caters to various photography needs.
Throughout this article, we’ll examine critical aspects such as sharpness, bokeh quality, distortion, and more, providing you with an in-depth understanding of each lens’s performance.
By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect lens for your photography endeavors, taking your craft to new heights.
So, buckle up and join us on this exciting journey as we compare the Nikon and Tamron lenses, ultimately empowering you to capture stunning images that truly bring your creative vision to life.
Overview
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G ED VR | Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Nikon F (DX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Aperture | F3.5-6.3 | F3.5-6.3 |
| Aperture Type | Variable | Variable |
| Focal Range (mm) | 18-300 | 18-400 |
| Mount Type | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (DX) |
| Zoom Ratio (X) | 16.7 | 22.2 |
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 has a focal range of 18-300mm, while the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has a focal range of 18-400mm. This means that the Tamron lens has a wider range of focal lengths, making it more versatile in terms of composition and framing.
Both lenses have a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-6.3, which means that the aperture changes as you zoom in or out. This can affect low light performance, depth of field control, and image quality.
The Tamron lens has a higher zoom ratio of 22.2x, while the Nikon lens has a zoom ratio of 16.7x. This means that the Tamron lens can zoom in closer to subjects, but it may also suffer from more distortion or vignetting, especially at the widest focal lengths.
Overall, the Tamron lens is more versatile and offers a wider range of focal lengths, making it a better choice for photographers who need a single lens for various situations. However, the Nikon lens may offer better image quality and fewer compromises in terms of distortion or vignetting.
Design and Ease of Use
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G ED VR | Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Nikon F (DX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter x Length (mm) | ⌀78.5×99mm | ⌀79×124mm |
| Weight (gr) | 550 | 705 |
| Filter Thread (mm) | 67 | 72 |
| Weather Sealing | No | Yes |
| Zoom Method | Rotary (extending) | Rotary (extending) |
| Distance Scale | No | No |
| DoF Scale | No | No |
| Hood Supplied | No | Yes |
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 has a smaller diameter x length of ⌀78.5×99mm and weighs 550 grams, while the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has a larger diameter x length of ⌀79×124mm and weighs 705 grams. This means that the Nikon lens is more compact and lightweight, making it easier to handle and carry around.
Both lenses use the same extending rotary zoom method, which means that the lens physically extends when you zoom in or out. This can make the lens more cumbersome and harder to handle, but it also allows for a wider range of focal lengths.
Overall, the Nikon lens is a better choice for photographers who prioritize portability and ease of handling. Its smaller size and weight make it more suitable for travel or street photography, where discretion and mobility are crucial. On the other hand, the Tamron lens offers a wider range of focal lengths, making it a better choice for photographers who need more versatility in their lenses. Its larger size and weight may be less of a concern for photographers who use tripods or have larger camera setups.
Lens Mount and Barrel
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 features a solid metal lens mount, complemented by a rubber gasket to prevent dust and moisture from entering the camera body. Its lens barrel is a blend of plastic and metal components, offering a lighter and more budget-friendly alternative to a full-metal construction. However, this combination may be less durable over time, especially at longer focal lengths when the lens is extended and becomes more vulnerable to dust and moisture.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 sports a metal lens mount with a weather sealing gasket for protection against dust and moisture. It also features a 4mm wide metal band separating the 25mm wide fixed section of the barrel from the inner section of the lens mount, which contains seven gold-plated contacts for seamless camera communication.
The lens barrel is made of robust plastics with a matte finish, providing a lightweight and compact design. The Tamron lens changes its physical size considerably, extending by 3.54″ (89.8mm) to 400mm and adding roughly 105mm to the overall length through three extending inner barrels and zoom ring rotation.
In conclusion, both lenses offer unique advantages in terms of lens mount and barrel construction. The Nikon lens is more portable due to its predominantly plastic barrel, while the Tamron lens boasts a more robust and secure lens mount with additional metal components. If you prioritize portability, the Nikon lens may be a better choice for you. However, if you value durability, weather resistance, and a more professional feel, the Tamron lens emerges as the superior option.
Weather Sealing
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 incorporates a rubber gasket around its metal lens mount to help prevent dust and moisture from entering the camera body. However, it is not claimed to be weatherproof, lacking internal seals at the rings and switches, as well as a fluorine coating on the front element. This lens may require additional protection when used in challenging weather conditions.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 offers moisture resistance through several seals throughout the body. These seals are present at the rings, switches, and front of the barrel, in addition to a gasket at the lens mount for added protection against dust and moisture. While Tamron doesn’t claim the lens to be weatherproof, the leak-proof seals provide a degree of protection when shooting outdoors.
In conclusion, the Tamron lens has a superior weather sealing design, providing better protection against dust, moisture, and challenging environments compared to the Nikon lens. While both lenses are not entirely weatherproof, the Tamron lens offers greater resistance to environmental elements, making it a more suitable choice for photographers who often shoot in harsh conditions or require extra peace of mind when capturing outdoor portraits.
Rings
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 features two rings: a zoom ring and a focus ring. The zoom ring is located at the front of the lens, covered in rubber for a comfortable grip and smooth action. With enough resistance to prevent zoom creep, it also includes a lock switch to keep the lens at 18mm. The focus ring is closer to the camera body, made of rubbery plastic, and offers a smooth, well-damped action for easy fine adjustments.
However, the lens lacks a windowed distance scale or depth-of-field indicator. The manual focusing distance is longer than most peers due to its geared focusing system, making manual override of autofocus more accurate. The zoom ring takes over half a turn to go from 18 to 300mm, enabling quick zooming to a subject.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has two rings: a focusing ring and a zoom ring. The focusing ring is made of molded plastic with finely-ridged grip bands, while the rubberized zoom ring takes up most of the lens barrel. Both rings rotate in the Nikon-standard direction and provide a firm click as they move into position. However, the manual focus ring turns when the autofocus system engages, requiring manual focus mode for manual adjustments.
The focus throw is very short, making manual focus adjustment more challenging. The zoom ring lacks smoothness and requires some torque to twist, particularly beyond the 100mm position. Zoom creep is minimal and only an issue when shooting vertically, with a lock switch provided to avoid accidental extension. The lens also lacks a windowed distance scale and depth-of-field indicator.
In conclusion, the Nikon lens offers a superior ring design, providing a smoother and more comfortable experience when adjusting focus and zoom. The Tamron lens, while having a functional ring design, falls short in terms of smoothness and ease of use when making manual adjustments.
Switches/Buttons
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 features several switches/buttons for ease of use, including an AF/MF switch, an IS switch, and a lens lock switch at 18mm. The AF/MF switch enables manual override of autofocus, while the IS switch activates the second-generation optical stabilization.
The 18mm lock switch prevents zoom creep when carrying the camera. These switches/buttons are conveniently located and easy to operate, with the AF/MF switch on the left side of the lens and the IS and lock switches on the lens barrel’s side.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 comes with two strategically placed switches on the barrel: an AF/MF switch for quick manual focus override and a VC switch providing up to 4 stops of image stabilization. These switches are also easy to locate and operate, offering a firm click as they move into position.
In conclusion, both the Nikon and Tamron lenses offer user-friendly switch/button designs that are easy to locate and operate. While the Nikon lens has an additional lock switch for preventing zoom creep, the Tamron lens provides a VC switch with up to 4 stops of image stabilization.
Filter Thread
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 features a 67mm filter thread made of plastic. This filter thread does not rotate during focus adjustments, which makes it convenient to use with graduated filters and polarizers. To protect the front element, using a UV or Protector filter is recommended.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has a metal filter thread with a standard size of 72mm. Similar to the Nikon lens, its front element does not rotate, making it easy to use with filters such as circular polarizers and ND grads.
In conclusion, both the Nikon and Tamron lenses offer filter threads that do not rotate, ensuring ease of use with various types of filters. While the Nikon lens has a smaller filter thread size of 67mm made of plastic, the Tamron lens features a larger, more standard 72mm filter thread made of metal. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences and requirements. The Nikon lens offers a lighter and more affordable filter thread, while the Tamron lens provides a more durable and robust metal filter thread.
Lens Hood
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 offers a petal-shaped lens hood, but it is sold separately as an optional accessory. Made of plastic, the hood features a decent bevel for ergonomic handling and effectively shields the front element from extraneous light that may cause flare or loss of contrast. The hood can be smoothly rotated.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 includes a lens hood in the package. With a standard bayonet fitting, it is easy to attach and remove. The hood is made of strong molded plastic with a small amount of flex, which helps absorb impact.
When mounted in reverse, it does not significantly increase the lens width, making it easier to pack. The ergonomic bevel is modest in size but provides adequate protection against impact and flare-inducing light, particularly at the wide end of the range. The hood can be smoothly rotated and is reversible.
In conclusion, the Tamron lens offers a superior lens hood experience as it is included in the package and provides excellent protection with its bayonet fitting and flexible construction. The Nikon lens, on the other hand, requires a separate purchase for the lens hood, although it still offers effective light shielding and ergonomic handling.
Focusing and Optical Stabilization
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G ED VR | Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Nikon F (DX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| AF Motor | Silent Wave Motor | High/Low torque-modulated Drive |
| Rotating Front Element | Does not rotate on focusing | Does not rotate on focusing |
| Min Focus Distance | 0.48m | 0.45m |
| Max Magnification (X) | 0.32 | 0.34 |
| Full-Time Manual Focus | Yes | No |
| Focus Method | Internal | Internal |
Focusing Performance
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 offers a quiet and accurate autofocus performance at short focal lengths due to its AF-S Silent Wave Motor. However, as you zoom in, autofocus accuracy becomes inconsistent, especially above 105mm, and worsens at 200mm and 300mm. The autofocus speed is relatively quick, but it tends to hunt and slow down in low-light situations.
A manual focus override is available via a narrow, well-damped focusing ring that allows smooth fine adjustments. The lens exhibits focus breathing, with the image getting smaller when focused more closely.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has a moderately slow autofocus, often requiring some hunting to find the right focus point. Its HLD (High/Low torque-modulated Drive) motor ensures quiet operation and adjusts focusing speed for stills and smooth transitions in movie capture. The initial autofocus acquisition speed is decent, but it may struggle with rapid wildlife shooting due to its pedestrian autofocus speed.
Instant manual focus override is not available, and switching between autofocus and manual focus modes requires using a dedicated switch. Manual focus action can be a bit tricky due to the very short focus throw. The lens features an internally focusing design, so the length remains constant regardless of focus and zoom settings. There is some focus breathing, particularly at the 400mm focal length when focusing closely on subjects.
In conclusion, the Nikon lens offers better autofocus performance at short focal lengths, while the Tamron lens provides a more consistent autofocus experience throughout its range, despite being moderately slow. If quick and accurate autofocus is crucial for your photography, the Nikon lens may be the better option at short focal lengths. However, for a more consistent focusing experience across different focal lengths, the Tamron lens could be the better choice, despite its slower speed.
Optical Stabilization
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 features the Vibration Reduction (VR) system, providing up to 4 stops of stabilization. This allows for slower shutter speeds without visible camera shake. The VR mechanism operates silently, making it suitable for various shooting situations.
At wide-angle settings, the stabilization performs well, enabling sharp handheld shots even at shutter speeds as low as 1/2 second. However, at telephoto focal lengths, the VR system is less effective, and the optimal shutter speed may vary depending on the photographer’s technique and stability.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 has optical stabilization, known as VC, which Tamron rates at 2.5 stops of assistance. Although not as great as other Tamron lenses with five-stop ratings, the VC system is good for handheld shooting towards the long end of the lens’ zoom range. It makes a noticeable difference in the stability of the image in the viewfinder, operates silently, and offers only one mode of stabilization.
With stabilization turned on, consistently crisp images are possible at 1/80-second with the lens at its 400mm position. Without stabilization, a 1/600-second exposure is generally required, and shots at 1/40-second can be hit or miss, depending on how steady the photographer is.
In conclusion, the Nikon lens offers superior optical stabilization, especially at wide-angle settings, while the Tamron lens provides decent stabilization towards the long end of the zoom range but with a lesser overall effectiveness. If you prioritize optical stabilization and often shoot in a variety of situations, the Nikon lens is the better choice. However, if you primarily need stabilization at longer focal lengths, the Tamron lens could still be a viable option, despite its lower-rated stabilization system.
Image Quality
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G ED VR | Tamron 18-400mm F3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Nikon F (DX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Special Elements | 3 ASPH | Low dispersion, aspherical, hybrid aspherical elements |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Circular Aperture | Yes | Yes |
Aberration
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 exhibits varying levels of chromatic aberration throughout its zoom range, with fringing being most prevalent towards the edges of the frame at 300mm, where it can exceed 2 pixel widths.
However, automatic in-camera corrections or post-processing software like Adobe Lightroom can effectively eliminate this issue. As for coma, the Nikon lens performs well, showing no apparent smearing or blobs around bright points of light in the corners of the frame at large apertures.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 exhibits lateral chromatic aberration ranging from low to moderate levels, with the best performance at the 18mm focal length. This chromatic aberration appears as color fringing along lines of strong contrast, especially towards the periphery of the image circle. The lens demonstrates a moderate amount of lateral CA in the 18mm corners, and the amount of color spread increases to very strong through 300mm and remains so through 400mm.
Although the Imatest results indicated chromatic aberration, it was not as apparent in test shots (JPEGs), and it should be correctable in modern cameras. Coma and spherical aberration are handled quite well by the Tamron lens.
In conclusion, both lenses show chromatic aberration, but the Nikon lens has a more consistent performance throughout the zoom range, while the Tamron lens struggles more at longer focal lengths. However, both lenses handle coma and spherical aberration well. Considering the overall aberration performance, the Nikon lens has a slight edge over the Tamron lens. It is important to note that with modern in-camera corrections or post-processing software, most aberration issues can be effectively managed in either lens.
Sharpness
The sharpness of Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 varies depending on the focal length and aperture, with the weakest numbers at the largest apertures. Sharpness in the center of the frame is generally very good, even wide open, but sharpness drops off steadily at longer zoom settings.
Corner sharpness is particularly disappointing at longer focal lengths. Stopping down produces a dramatic improvement in performance across the frame, with sharpness being outstanding in the center and excellent towards the edges of the frame between f/8 and f/11.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 provides acceptable to excellent central sharpness across the zoom range. The edges can be soft, but stopping down to f/8 or f/11 can greatly improve the sharpness and contrast. At 400mm, the lens shows general softness in the edges, but the center can achieve a good standard of sharpness at f/11 and f/16.
The maximum aperture varies from f/5 to f/6.3 depending on the focal length, and while the image quality at wide open aperture can be good, stopping down to f/8 or f/11 is recommended to achieve better detail. The sharpest aperture varies depending on the focal length, but typically it’s around f/8 to f/11.
In conclusion, both lenses exhibit varying degrees of sharpness throughout their zoom ranges, with the Nikon lens offering better overall performance when stopped down, particularly at longer focal lengths. The Tamron lens, though not as sharp as the Nikon lens, still provides satisfactory results when stopped down to f/8 or f/11. Considering sharpness alone, the Nikon lens has a slight advantage over the Tamron lens, but your choice will depend on your specific photography needs and preferences.
Bokeh Quality
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 delivers a decent bokeh performance, especially noticeable at longer focal lengths and larger apertures. A 7-rounded blade iris diaphragm contributes to the smoothness of out-of-focus regions in images.
However, bokeh quality is subjective and can vary depending on zoom setting, aperture, and focus distance. While this lens doesn’t produce exceptionally creamy and beautiful bokeh, other lenses may be better suited for that purpose.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 is capable of producing smooth and attractive bokeh, particularly at longer focal lengths and when capturing evenly-lit backgrounds. Although some outlining of highlights may be present in unevenly-lit backgrounds, the lens’s bokeh is generally considered fair and can enhance the look of out-of-focus areas, making it a suitable choice for portrait photography.
In conclusion, while both lenses have their merits, the Tamron lens is more likely to produce better bokeh quality, especially for portrait photography.
Flare/Ghosting
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 demonstrates impressive flare and ghosting control, depending on the focal length and light source placement. Even when shooting directly into the noontime sun with a UV filter, flare and ghosting issues are minimal.
The lens performs exceptionally well in such conditions, producing minimal ghosts or flares. However, as you zoom towards the telephoto range, ghosting can become a concern, particularly when pointing the lens into the light with the sun outside the frame, resulting in significant veiling and loss of contrast.
In contrast, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 exhibits some flare artifacts and veiling flare, especially when a bright light source is outside the frame. Nevertheless, its overall resistance to flare is commendable.
The provided petal lens hood helps prevent vignetting at the widest end, although its efficiency decreases at longer focal lengths. While not entirely flare-free, the Tamron lens performs better than expected for a zoom lens with such a wide range.
In conclusion, both lenses have their strengths, but the Nikon lens appears to have a slight edge in handling flare and ghosting, particularly when shooting directly into the sun. However, the Tamron lens still offers good performance in this aspect.
Vignetting
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 experiences noticeable vignetting at wider apertures, particularly in the extreme corners. However, it can be easily corrected in post-processing. Vignetting becomes a more significant issue when shooting wide open, but stopping down to f/8 or beyond results in visually uniform illumination throughout the zoom range. It is worth noting that stacking filters may cause slight vignetting at the widest setting.
On the other hand, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 displays moderately noticeable vignetting at the corners, reaching about 2.5 stops at 18mm f/3.5. This gradually decreases as the aperture is stopped down to f/8. At 50mm, there is a barely noticeable 0.5 stop of vignetting at the max aperture of f/5. Vignetting increases slightly at focal lengths longer than 50mm, but it is not a cause for concern, especially with modern cameras that provide in-camera peripheral illumination or post-processing software for correction.
In conclusion, both lenses exhibit some degree of vignetting, with the Nikon lens having a slightly higher tendency at wider apertures. However, the Tamron lens demonstrates more consistent performance throughout the focal length range. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, either lens could be suitable, but the Tamron lens offers a more balanced vignetting performance overall.
Distortion
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 displays significant distortion throughout its zoom range, with barrel distortion being most prominent at 18mm and pincushion distortion taking over from 28mm onwards. This distortion can be corrected using post-processing software like Adobe Lightroom or in-camera correction for JPEG capture, although it may lead to some loss of picture information at the edges of the frame.
Conversely, the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 exhibits both barrel and pincushion distortion at varying focal lengths, but it’s more pronounced at longer zoom ranges. However, the distortion remains moderate and can be easily corrected using modern cameras or software.
This lens outperforms other superzoom lenses in terms of distortion and is suitable for a wide array of photography applications. Stopping down the aperture can also help reduce distortion and enhance image quality in the corners.
In conclusion, the Tamron lens offers superior distortion control compared to the Nikon lens. Although both lenses exhibit some degree of distortion, the Tamron lens maintains a more moderate level of distortion throughout its zoom range, making it a better option for photographers who prioritize minimal distortion in their images.
Final Verdict
After comparing both lenses across various aspects, we can conclude that each lens has its own strengths, making them suitable for different photographers with varying priorities.
The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 is a more versatile option with a wider range of focal lengths, superior weather sealing, more consistent autofocus across the zoom range, better bokeh quality, and superior distortion control. This lens is ideal for photographers who need a single lens for various situations, value durability and weather resistance, or prioritize minimal distortion.
The Nikon DX 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3, on the other hand, is more portable and offers better image quality, fewer compromises in terms of distortion or vignetting, superior optical stabilization, and better handling of flare and ghosting. This lens is better for photographers who prioritize portability, ease of handling, quick and accurate autofocus at short focal lengths, and shooting in a variety of situations where optical stabilization is crucial.
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