Nikon AF-S 55-300mm VR vs Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD for a D5100
Asked 12/27/2014
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I’m choosing an entry-level telephoto zoom for a Nikon D5100 and have narrowed it down to the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm VR and the Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD. The Tamron costs about $100 more. For casual use on a tight budget, is the Tamron worth the extra money in terms of image quality and stabilization?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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I've got the Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD (Amazon -> 223€) for my Nikon D5100. I'm satisfied with it, the stabilizator is awesome.
A sample: https://500px.com/photo/61807535/cyclo-cross-sprinter-2-by-salva-j-garc%C3%ADa-barroso
Reasons I found to buy the Tamrom:
- Tamron VC is superior to Nikon VR.
- Nikon is weaker in range 250-300.
- There is a non written Law in zoom lenses: "More focal length range worst optical quality"
- Tamron 70-300 is more near to Nikon 70-300 quality, but it's far forward from Nikon 55-300.
- The diference costs between Tamron and Nikon 55-300 ($100) is low compared with the diference costs between Tamron and Nikon 70-300 ($250), the real competitor.
See this comparation tests from DXOMark. DXOMARK test lenses
Originally by user25115. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user25115
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the community feedback, the Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD is generally the better lens if you can afford the extra cost. The main reasons given were:
- Tamron’s VC stabilization was reported to be stronger than Nikon’s VR.
- The Nikon 55-300mm was said to be weaker at the long end, especially around 250-300mm.
- The Tamron 70-300mm was described as being closer in quality to Nikon’s higher-tier 70-300mm than to the Nikon 55-300mm.
So if you want better overall performance and steadier handheld shooting, the Tamron is the stronger choice.
That said, if your budget is very tight and you’re not doing serious photography, the Nikon 55-300mm can still be a reasonable budget option. In short: choose the Tamron for better quality and stabilization; choose the Nikon if keeping cost down matters more than the performance difference.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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