Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A vs 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Both are Canon RF zoom lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You want a wider view: 16mm vs 17mm at the wide end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.19 m
Pick the 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD if
- You need more reach: 70mm vs 50mm at the long end
- You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the 16-50mm f/2.8 A does not
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 9 aperture blades vs 7
Spec differences
11 differences| 16-50mm f/2.8 A | 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Format |
not listed
|
APS-C
|
| Focal length |
16-50mm
|
17-70mm
|
| Weight |
305 g
|
not listed
|
| Diameter |
not listed
|
74.6 mm
|
| Filter thread |
55 mm
|
67 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.15 m
closer
|
0.19 m
|
| Max magnification |
0.22×
larger
|
0.21×
|
| Aperture blades |
7
|
9
more blades
|
| Optical design |
14 elements / 10 groups
|
16 elements / 12 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
not listed
|
RXD
|
| Image stabilization |
No
|
Yes
stabilized
|
6 identical specs hidden: brand, mount, type, max aperture, weather sealing, released. Show all
- Brand
- Tamron both
- Mount
- Canon RF both
- Type
- Zoom both
- Max aperture
- f/2.8 both
- Weather sealing
- Yes both
- Released
- 2026 both
More comparisons
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
wider (15mm) vs 535 g lighter
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
wider (15mm) vs more reach (70mm)
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
more reach (105mm) vs 1025 g lighter
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z vs Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
more reach (105mm) vs wider (17mm)
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
0.36× magnification vs wider (16mm)
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
0.36× magnification vs wider (17mm)