Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£370Lens mount:Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony AMaximum focal length:90 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:yesMaximum angle of view:27 °

Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD 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.

8.1

Overall score

Score
8.1/ 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%

8.0

Technical score

20%

8.9

User score

★Better than 98% of camera-lenses
8.0

Technical score

Technical score
8.0/ 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%

8.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.0

Build & Handling

20%

7.0

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

7.3

Stabilization

3%

6.6

Mount & Format

★Better than 97% of camera-lenses
8.9

User score

User score
8.9/ 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%

8.7

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on 1,813 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 75% 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 SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD

Technical score
Technical score
8.0/ 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%

8.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.0

Build & Handling

20%

7.0

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

7.3

Stabilization

3%

6.6

Mount & Format

8.0
User score
User score
8.9/ 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%

8.7

User ratings

30%

9.4

Number of reviews

Based on 1,813 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.
8.9
Popularity
Popularity
9.4/ 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 SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD has a popularity score of 9.4 points, which is higher than 85% of camera lenses.
9.4
Value for money
Value for money
8.3/ 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%

8.1

Overall score

40%

8.6

Price

8.3
Lens type
macro
Lens mount
Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
62 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
?
Show more
Minimum focal length
90 mm
Maximum focal length
90 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
27 °
Minimum angle of view
27 °
Show more
Focus motor
USD
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
Minimum focus distance
0.3 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.3 m, which is closer than 48.3% of camera lenses and equal to 7.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
1xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
1x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 1x, which is higher than 94.6% of camera lenses and equal to 4.5% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
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)
3.5 stops
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
3.5 stops
This camera lens offers 3.5 stops of stabilization, which is weaker than 79.1% of camera lenses and equal to 8.4% of camera lenses.
Weight
660 g
Weight
660 g
This camera lens weighs 660 g, which is heavier than 64.9% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens length
117.1 mm
Lens length
117.1 mm
This camera lens is 117.1 mm long, which is longer than 71.4% 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 SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD 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 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 focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
    Distance scale window.
  • 3 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    5
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (5 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    5 vs 2
  • Has focus limiter switch
    Focus limiter switch
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
  • 0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    1 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    1 x vs 0.192 x
  • 20.2% better value for money
    Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (8.27 vs 6.9).
    8.27 vs 6.89
  • 28.8% more popular
    Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD is more popular than the average camera lens (9.38 vs 7.3).
    9.38 vs 7.29
  • 20.2% better value for money
    Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (8.27 vs 6.9).
    8.27 vs 6.89
  • 28.8% more popular
    Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD is more popular than the average camera lens (9.38 vs 7.3).
    9.38 vs 7.29
  • 3 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    5
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (5 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    5 vs 2
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
    Distance scale window.
  • Has focus limiter switch
    Focus limiter switch
    yes
    This camera lens has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
  • 0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    1 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    1 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.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 24.85 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    117.1 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (117.1 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    117.1 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 0.5 stops weaker stabilization
    Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
    3.5 stops
    This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (3.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
    3.5 stops vs 4 stops
  • 150 g heavier
    Weight
    660 g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (660 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    660 g vs 510 g
  • 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
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.5 stops weaker stabilization
    Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
    3.5 stops
    This camera lens has a lower stabilization effectiveness than the average camera lens (3.5 stops vs 4 stops). The average lens has stabilization effectiveness of 4 stops.
    3.5 stops vs 4 stops
  • 24.85 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    117.1 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (117.1 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    117.1 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 150 g heavier
    Weight
    660 g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (660 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    660 g vs 510 g
  • 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

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

D
dustinabbott.net
19/03/2016
Summary of the review
E
ephotozine.com
27/04/2016
Summary of the review
U
uk.pcmag.com
28/04/2016
Summary of the review
P
photographylife.com
20/07/2020
Summary of the review
S
shutterbug.com
04/04/2016
Summary of the review
T
the-digital-picture.com
31/05/2016
Summary of the review
D
dpreview.com
06/12/2016
Summary of the review
D
digital-photography-school.com
21/12/2016
Summary of the review
L
lenstip.com
11/01/2013
Summary of the review
E
ephotozine.com
26/11/2012
Summary of the review
D
dustinabbott.net
31/12/2013
Summary of the review
D
digitalcameraworld.com
03/08/2022
Summary of the review
C
cameralabs.com
22/03/2016
Summary of the review
C
chip.de
06/09/2016
Summary of the review
D
digitalphoto.de
12/08/2016
Summary of the review
B
blarksel.com
18/03/2018
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
15/07/2018
Summary of the review
P
phototrend.fr
19/06/2017
Summary of the review
L
lesnumeriques.com
07/04/2016
Summary of the review
M
mpr.photo
16/09/2016
Summary of the review
D
dxomark.fr
01/02/2016
Summary of the review
D
digitalcamaralens.com
20/08/2018
Summary of the review
P
photo-review.com
02/12/2014
Summary of the review
Z
zoom.nl
03/10/2017
Summary of the review
K
kijkenziefotoschool.nl
17/04/2021
Summary of the review
H
hifi.nl
04/12/2014
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,813 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD

  • Exceptional sharpness and image quality from center to edge
  • Effective Vibration Compensation (VC) system with 3.5 stops of stabilization
  • High-quality, moisture-proof and dust-resistant metallic construction
  • Pleasing, soft bokeh quality and excellent color rendition
  • Fast and quiet Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus motor
  • Full-time manual focus override with a smooth, well-sized focus ring
  • Fluorine coating on the front element to repel fingerprints and water

What we don't like about Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD

  • Autofocus can hunt or struggle in extreme low-light or very bright conditions
  • Effectiveness of stabilization (VC) drops off noticeably at extreme macro distances
  • Reported compatibility issues or errors when used with some mirrorless adapters (e.g., Nikon FTZ)
  • Focus ring lacks hard stops or tactile feedback at infinity and 1:1 magnification
  • Focusing speed slows down significantly when moving into macro ranges
  • Potential for blurry images if VC is left on while using a tripod

Verdict

The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD is a high-performance prime lens designed for full-frame DSLRs, featuring a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio and a 0.3m minimum focus distance. Its advanced optical construction includes 14 elements in 11 groups—with two XLD and one LD glass elements—and utilizes eBAND and BBAR coatings to significantly reduce flare and ghosting. Main characteristics include the Vibration Compensation (VC) image stabilisation system for handheld stability and a fast Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus motor for quiet, precise focusing. While praised for its exceptional sharpness, robust weather-sealed build, and beautiful bokeh from its 9 rounded diaphragm blades, some users note that autofocus can occasionally hunt in low-light conditions or feel slower without the use of its integrated three-position focus limiter.

Compare Tamron SP 90mm F2 8 Di Macro 1 1 VC USD with other products in the Camera lenses category

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