Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD Review | 54 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£620
  • Avg. price in US: ~$700
  • Lens mount: Sony E
  • Maximum focal length: 40 mm
  • Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 2.8
  • Optical image stabilization: no
  • Maximum angle of view: 94.5 °

Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

7.7

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

7.6

Technical Score

20.0%

8.4

User score

Very good
7.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the camera lens's technical performance, covering eight key areas: sharpness, aperture flexibility, autofocus, stabilization, build quality, mount compatibility, close-focus performance, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

35.0%

8.4

Optics & Aperture

24.0%

9.4

Build & Handling

20.0%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10.0%

9.0

Lab Scores

8.0%

4.2

Stabilization

3.0%

1.0

Mount & Format

Very good
8.4

User score

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 components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

7.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(113)
amazon
4.4
(87)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(112)
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(91)

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

Excellent
  • 7.2
    Low-light photography

    Score components:

    70.0%

    9.8

    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)

    30.0%

    1.0

    Optical image stabilization

  • 7.3
    Travel

    Score components:

    30.0%

    8.7

    Lens length

    25.0%

    7.9

    Lens diameter

    25.0%

    10

    Weather sealing (splashproof)

    20.0%

    1.0

    Optical image stabilization

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a compact ultra-wide to standard zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame cameras, weighing just 365g and measuring 86.5mm in length. It features a constant f/2.8 aperture, a fast and quiet VXD linear motor autofocus system, and a moisture-resistant construction with a 67mm filter thread. Key pros include its unique focal range for travel and vlogging, excellent 0.17m minimum object distance for wide-macro shots, and a built-in USB-C port for customisation. However, it lacks on-lens physical switches and optical image stabilisation, and some users may find the 2x zoom range limited for telephoto needs.

Technical Specifications of Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the camera lens's technical performance, covering eight key areas: sharpness, aperture flexibility, autofocus, stabilization, build quality, mount compatibility, close-focus performance, and design.

When it matters: When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

35.0%

8.4

Optics & Aperture

24.0%

9.4

Build & Handling

20.0%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10.0%

9.0

Lab Scores

8.0%

4.2

Stabilization

3.0%

1.0

Mount & Format

7.6
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a technical score of 7.57 points, which is higher than 67.9% of camera lenses.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

9.0

User reviews

30.0%

7.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.5
(113)
amazon
4.4
(87)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(112)
Amazon_logo.png
4.5
(91)

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

8.4
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a user score of 8.39 points, which is higher than 55.7% of camera lenses.
Popularity
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.
7.0
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a popularity of 7 points, which is higher than 53.4% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

7.7

Overall score

40.0%

7.2

Price

7.6
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a quality-to-price ratio of 7.6 points, which is higher than 64.9% of products in this category.
Lens type
What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.
When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

zoom
Lens mount
What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.
When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Sony E
Sensor format coverage
What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.
When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame
Filter thread size
What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.
When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

67 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.
When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

no
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
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Minimum focal length
What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.
When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

20 mm
Maximum focal length
What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.
When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

40 mm
Optical zoom
What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.
When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

2x
Maximum angle of view
What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.
When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

94.5 °
Minimum angle of view
What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.
When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

56.8 °
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Focus motor
What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.
When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

linear motor
Minimum focus distance
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

0.17 m
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD focuses as close as 0.17 m, which is closer than 90.6% of camera lenses and equal to 0.9% of camera lenses.
0.29 m at tele end.
Maximum reproduction ratio
What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.
When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

0.263x
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.263x, which is higher than 74.6% of camera lenses and equal to 2.2% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends only during zooming.
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Optical image stabilization
What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.
When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

no
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD does not support optical image stabilization. 29% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.
When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?
Weight
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

?
Lens length
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

86.5 mm
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD is 86.5 mm long, which is shorter than 57.5% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.6% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

74.4 mm
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a diameter of 74.4 mm, which is slimmer than 57.7% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.4% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD supports weather sealing. 50.2% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.
When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

?
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DxOMark overall score
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?
DxOMark sharpness score
What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.
When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?
DxOMark transmission
What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.
When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
DxOMark distortion
What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.
When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
DxOMark vignetting
What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.
When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
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Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD vs the average camera lens

  • Has fluorine coating
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
    What it is: A protective coating on exposed elements that repels water, oil, and dirt for easier cleaning.
    When it matters: When you shoot in rain, sea spray, or dusty places and want easier front-element cleaning.

    Importance: HIGH

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • Newer release date
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    October 2022
    What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
    When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.

    Importance: LOW

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD was released more recently than the average camera lens.2022 vs 2016
  • 0.13 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.29 m at tele end.
    What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
    When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.17 m vs 0.3 m
  • 2 more low-dispersion elements
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
    When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.4 vs 2
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
    When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.3 vs 2
  • 5.5 mm shorter lens
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD is shorter than the average camera lens (86.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
    What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
    When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

    Importance: HIGH

    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD is shorter than the average camera lens (86.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.86.5 mm vs 92 mm
  • 2 more low-dispersion elements
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (4 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
  • 0.13 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
  • Has fluorine coating
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 25.5% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • Newer release date
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD was released more recently than the average camera lens.
  • 5.5 mm shorter lens
    Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD is shorter than the average camera lens (86.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.

    No cons found

Graphic comparison of Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD and

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Third-party reviews

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD?

  • Extremely compact and lightweight design (365g)
  • Fast and silent VXD linear motor autofocus
  • Versatile and unique focal range suitable for vlogging and street photography
  • Excellent sharpness, especially in the center, across the zoom range
  • Great close-focusing capabilities (0.17m minimum distance at 20mm)
  • Robust weather sealing and fluorine coating on the front element
  • Keenly priced for a fast f/2.8 full-frame zoom

What customers dislike about Tamron 20 40mm F 2 8 Di III VXD?

  • Noticeable edge softness at wide apertures, particularly at 40mm
  • Lack of built-in optical image stabilization
  • Minimal physical controls on the lens barrel
  • Pronounced barrel distortion at 20mm
  • Unusual zoom range may not be long enough for traditional standard zoom users

Expert reviews

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alphashooters.com
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21/11/2022
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dustinabbott.net
16/10/2022
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cameralabs.com
07/12/2022
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digitalcameraworld.com
15/01/2023
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uk.pcmag.com
17/01/2023
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amateurphotographer.com
26/06/2023
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lenstip.com
19/07/2023
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photoreview.com.au
19/10/2022
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au.pcmag.com
18/01/2023
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mikestehlik.com
21/08/2023
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digitalkamera.de
28/11/2022
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photoscrubs.com
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I
imtest.de
13/11/2023
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N
nikon-fotografie.de
29/11/2022
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Z
zielfoto.com
27/07/2026
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D
digitalkamera.de
28/11/2022
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P
phototrend.fr
22/12/2022
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L
lesnumeriques.com
10/01/2023
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D
digitalcamaralens.com
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J
juzaphoto.com
29/12/2022
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F
focus-review.com
10/09/2023
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K
kamera-express.nl
Late 2022
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