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Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£660Lens mount:Canon EF, Nikon FMaximum focal length:400 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):6.3Optical image stabilization:yesMaximum angle of view:75.5 °

Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.8

Technical score

20%

9.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 64% of camera-lenses
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

35%

3.7

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.9

Build & Handling

20%

5.2

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

6.4

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 72% of camera-lenses
9.3

User score

User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 5,896 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 89% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

35%

3.7

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.9

Build & Handling

20%

5.2

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

6.4

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.8
User score
User score
9.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on 5,896 buyer reviews from online shops.
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
9.3
Popularity
Popularity
10.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than 91.6% of camera lenses.
10
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

7.0

Price

6.7
Lens type
zoom
Lens mount
Canon EF, Nikon F
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
72 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
18 mm
Maximum focal length
400 mm
Optical zoom
22.2xx
Maximum angle of view
75.5 °
Minimum angle of view
4 °
Show more
Focus motor
DC motor, HLD
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.45 m, which is farther than 63.6% of camera lenses and equal to 5.4% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.345xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.345x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.345x, which is higher than 87.3% of camera lenses and equal to 1.1% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Requires switching to MF.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
yes
Optical image stabilization
yes
This camera lens supports optical image stabilization. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
2.5 stops
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
2.5 stops
This camera lens offers 2.5 stops of stabilization, which is weaker than 95.4% of camera lenses and equal to 2.3% of camera lenses.
Weight
735 g
Weight
735 g
This camera lens weighs 735 g, which is heavier than 71.5% of camera lenses.
Lens length
121.4 mm
Lens length
121.4 mm
This camera lens is 121.4 mm long, which is longer than 74.4% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
79 mm
Lens diameter
79 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 79 mm, which is wider than 56% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
This camera lens supports weather sealing. 50.2% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has optical image stabilization
    Optical image stabilization
    yes
    This camera lens has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • Has zoom lock switch
    Zoom lock switch
    yes
    This camera lens has a zoom lock switch, the average camera lens does not. 8.6% of camera lenses include a zoom lock switch.
    Zoom lock switch present.
  • 0.15 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.345 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.345 x vs 0.192 x
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 37.3% more popular
    Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD is more popular than the average camera lens (10 vs 7.3).
    10 vs 7.29
  • 37.3% more popular
    Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD is more popular than the average camera lens (10 vs 7.3).
    10 vs 7.29
  • 10.8% higher user score
    User score
    9.3/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD
    the average camera lens
    Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD has a higher user score than the average camera lens (9.26 vs 8.360).
    9.26 vs 8.36
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • Has zoom lock switch
    Zoom lock switch
    yes
    This camera lens has a zoom lock switch, the average camera lens does not. 8.6% of camera lenses include a zoom lock switch.
    Zoom lock switch present.
  • 0.15 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.345 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.345 x vs 0.192 x
  • Has optical image stabilization
    Optical image stabilization
    yes
    This camera lens has optical image stabilization, the average camera lens does not. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • 3.5 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    6.3
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/6.3 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    6.3 vs 2.8
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Requires switching to MF.
  • 1.5 stops weaker stabilization
    Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
    2.5 stops
    This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (2.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
    2.5 stops vs 4 stops
  • 225 g heavier
    Weight
    735 g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (735 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    735 g vs 510 g
  • 29.15 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    121.4 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (121.4 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    121.4 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • 2 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    79 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (79 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    79 mm vs 77 mm
  • 3.5 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    6.3
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/6.3 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    6.3 vs 2.8
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
    Requires switching to MF.
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • 1.5 stops weaker stabilization
    Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
    2.5 stops
    This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (2.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
    2.5 stops vs 4 stops
  • 225 g heavier
    Weight
    735 g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (735 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    735 g vs 510 g
  • 29.15 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    121.4 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (121.4 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    121.4 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 2 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    79 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (79 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    79 mm vs 77 mm

Video reviews

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Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

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17/01/2018
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28/07/2017
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26/12/2017
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09/08/2017
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Third-party reviews

Based on 5,896 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD

  • Unprecedented 22.2x zoom range (18-400mm) covers almost any scenario without swapping lenses
  • Compact and lightweight (approx. 705g), making it ideal for travel and hiking
  • Effective Vibration Compensation (VC) system for stabilizing handheld shots
  • Moisture-resistant construction with weather seals for light protection
  • Reliable and quiet High/Low torque-modulated Drive (HLD) autofocus motor
  • Surprisingly short minimum focus distance for decent macro-style magnification
  • Excellent value for hobbyists seeking versatility at an affordable price

What we don't like about Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD

  • Image quality is not 'prime-level'; corner softness and softening beyond 300mm are common
  • Autofocus can struggle or slow down in low light, especially at the telephoto end
  • Narrow maximum aperture (f/3.5-6.3) limits performance in dark environments
  • Visible barrel and pincushion distortion at the extreme ends of the zoom range
  • Noticeable chromatic aberration (color fringing) at longer focal lengths
  • Zoom ring can feel stiff or have uneven resistance throughout its rotation
  • Manual focus ring is small and rotates during autofocus on some camera mounts

Verdict

The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD is the world's first 22.2x ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens designed for APS-C DSLRs, offering a versatile 35mm equivalent focal range of 28.8-640mm. This compact, moisture-resistant lens features 16 elements in 11 groups—including aspherical and low-dispersion glass—alongside a quiet HLD (High/Low torque-modulated Drive) autofocus motor and 2.5-stop Vibration Compensation (VC). Its main advantages include unmatched versatility for travel, a lightweight 710g build, and a 1:2.9 maximum magnification ratio for tele-macro photography. However, users may encounter edge softness and chromatic aberration at the extreme 400mm end, significant barrel distortion at 18mm, and limited performance in low light due to the narrow f/6.3 maximum aperture when zoomed in.

Compare Tamron 18 400mm F 3 5 6 3 Di II VC HLD with other products in the Camera lenses category

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