The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD continues the company's tradition of combining optical versatility with great value. A wide zoom range makes this lens great for travel, and it's bright enough to blur backgrounds and snap sharp nighttime photos, thanks also to its vibration compensation. Sharpness and autofocus are excellent, while bokeh, distortion, flare and color fringing could be improved.

Those seeking a great walk-around, travel, or general purpose lens. Videographers.;

Pros and advanced amateurs aiming for the absolute best image quality;

The Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD ($799.99) is an exciting lens for photographers using Sony's APS-C camera system. It delivers the premium optics you expect from an F2.8 zoom, along with speedy focus and an all-weather build, for fewer dollars than Sony's high-end E 16-55mm F2.8 G ($1,399.99). The 17-70mm skips on-lens controls, but does include optical stabilization. It's a stunning performer all around and a good enough value to earn our Editors' Choice award, even if it's a bit large to pair with Sony's smaller cameras.Made for APS-C Sony's full-frame a7 camera series garners a lot of attention and is quite popular among pro photographers, but the company offers lower cost APS-C sensor models, too. Cameras like the a6100 and a6400 are lighter and more affordable than full-frame options, but still benefit from quality lenses. If you're using a basic starter lens like the E 16-50mm or the discontinued E 18-55mm, an F2.8 zoom like the 17-70mm or Sony E 16-55mm is a serious...

Tamron's 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens upgrades your Sony APS-C mirrorless to net shots with blurred backgrounds and outstandingly sharp results.

Outstanding resolution; F2.8 optics; Dust, splash, and fluorine protection; Quick, quiet autofocus; Minimal focus breathing; Focuses close

A little bulky; Shows some flare; So-so manual focus experience; Exclusively for Sony cameras

Introduction; Design and build; Autofocus; Bokeh; Image issues; Manual focus and focus breathing; Sharpness; Who's it for?;

Introduction; Design and build; Autofocus; Bokeh; Image issues; Manual focus and focus breathing; Sharpness; Who's it for?;

As a lens, the new Tamron is splendid. In common with many mirrorless lenses some of the parameters, such as distortion and CA, are controlled in conjunction with the camera to get the best results, but the lens on its own is still an excellent overall performer.

Excellent central sharpness, Excellent edge sharpness, Nice bokeh, Excellent CA control centrally, Fast, accurate and silent AF, Moisture resistance, Effective Vibration Compensation, 5 Year Guarantee

Lens enormous compared to camera body, Edge CA obvious (correctable), Visible distortion (correctable)

The constructors of the Tamron 17–70 mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD faced a really difficult task. Every time a producer tries to offer something unique, a product no other manufacturer features, the bar is set very high, higher than usual.

very good image quality in the frame centre across the whole focal range,, sensible image quality on the edge of the frame,, lack of any serious problems with longitudinal chromatic aberration,, slight lateral chromatic aberration in the 30-70 mm focal range,, good coma correction,, moderate...

high vignetting, felt especially keenly on both ends of the focal range,, noticeable problems with spherical aberration,, performance against bright light should have been better.

If you own a Sony mirrorless camera, either APS-C sensor, Full Frame sensor or both types, you will not be disappointed. The 25-105 equivalent zoom range and fast f/2.8 aperture make it an ideal lens for everyday Standard Zoom use as well as street photography, portraiture and travel.

This lens stands alone among all Sony E-mount APS-C lenses. It's so good, it actually gives full-frame equivalent lenses a run for their money!

Incredible image quality, Fast aperture for zoom range, Highly portable, Good build quality, Impressive autofocus speed & reliability, Incredible value

17mm, not 16mm, on the wide end of zoom range, No AF/MF switch or L-Fn button

A premium standard zoom for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C cameras

Outstanding resolution, F2.8 optics, Dust, splash, and fluorine protection, Quick, quiet autofocus, Minimal focus breathing, Focuses close, Available for Fujifilm X and Sony E cameras

A little bulky, Shows some flare, So-so manual focus experience