Will a Tamron 16-300mm match the image quality of Nikon 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses?

Question

I use a Nikon D5100 with the Nikon 18-55mm VR and 55-300mm VR kit lenses. In my experience, the 55-300mm is noticeably sharper, so I use it whenever I can.

I'm considering replacing both with a Tamron 16-300mm superzoom for convenience. Should I expect the Tamron's image quality in the 55-300mm range to be at least as good as the Nikon 55-300mm? And in the 18-55mm range, is it likely to be better than the Nikon 18-55mm?

user75526 · Answer

After reading various reviews, you've probably noticed that the general consensus is:

Super-zoom lenses compromise on image quality for increased Zoom Range. They typically have reduced Max Aperture, Sharpness, and Contrast. They typically have increased Chromatic Aberration and Lens Distortion.
OEM lenses provide better image quality than third party lenses.

Based on this, the Tamron 16-300mm is at a disadvantage because it is a third-party lens with a greater zoom range. Although each lens should be considered for its own merits, reviews of super zooms are all the same.

The _____ has good center sharpness for the class. However, the impressive zoom range comes at the cost of some noticeable softening and chromatic aberration, especially in the corners and at the long telephoto range. For this type of lens, distortion is mild at the wide and telephoto ends... ^{_{(Not a real review. For illustration only.)}}

So it's helpful to visually compare test shots to decide for yourself whether a lens is good enough for you:

Will a Tamron 16-300mm match the image quality of Nikon 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses?

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