Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS vs Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD

Pick the Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS if

• You need more reach: 200mm vs 20mm at the long end
• You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD does not
• You want bigger close-ups: 0.35× vs 0.25× maximum magnification
• Our notes say it suits: Travel and holidays, video with a single lens, general all-round shots

Pick the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD if

• You need ⅔ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
• You want the lighter lens to carry: 189 g lighter (335 g vs 524 g)
• You want a wider view: 11mm vs 18mm at the wide end
• You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.3 m
• You prefer a newer design: released 2021 vs 2010
• Our notes say it suits: Landscape, vlogging, interiors

Our notes

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

A stabilized all-in-one zoom for APS-C E-mount, covering 18-200mm. It weighs about 524 g, with a 67mm filter size and 0.3 m minimum focus.

Pros

• 11x zoom range
• Optical SteadyShot
• Convenient one-lens kit
• Close focus of 0.3 m

Cons

• Slow aperture at the long end
• Image quality below primes and shorter zooms

Our notes

Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD

An APS-C ultra-wide zoom for Sony E with a constant f/2.8 aperture, giving about 16.5-30mm equivalent. It uses a 67mm filter thread.

Pros

• Constant f/2.8
• Compact
• Takes screw-in filters

Cons

• APS-C only
• No stabilization