CameraWorld founder; Jason Mitchell, writes his personal comments about this lens.

Having just aquired a Nikon ZFc camera as I wanted something smaller than my full-frame Sony, I was dubious that it could deliver matching quality. I have to say how staggered I was by the outstanding quality from this camera and the 28mm SE lens. 

We are going on a cruise soon and I need a long lens to hopefully grab some photographs of the sea wildlife. I purchased a Nikon Z 100-400mm lens being the only option from the Nikon camp. However, after opening the rather large box and revealling the lens, it dawned on me how massive and heavy it was and totally impractical for travelling and carrying around. I was quite perplexed as I now had limited options.

I called in a favour and my pal at Tamron sent over a lens for me to evaulate and test. Well this Tamron RXD 70-300mm Di III is quite something! Not only is it a quarter of the price, almost a third of the weight and half the size, but the image quality is just fantastic!

Yes its a bit plasticky and doesnt have the quality feel of the Nikon lens, but who cares? It's truly an outstanding lens for picture quality and well worth the money. I guarantee you will not be dissapointed and I am looking forward to using it whilst I am away. Well done Tamron for producing an outstanding lens.

• The world's smallest and lightest telephoto zoom lens
• High quality images with beautiful, dreamy bokeh
• Superb AF keeps it sharp and quiet
• Quiet RXD AF stepping motor – ideal for videos
• Moisture-Resistant Construction protects your lens
• Compatible with the camera’s own features

A telephoto zoom so compact you want to carry around every day

Tamron has adopted a dedicated design for mirrorless cameras and achieved a compact size once again by fixing the aperture at F/6.3 at the telephoto end. The maximum diameter is 77mm. Measuring just 148mm and weighing a mere545g, this 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD is the world’s smallest and lightest telephoto zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Compatible with Sony’s popular E-mount cameras, it has been developed with the concept of enabling photographers to more easily experience the universe of full-scale, full-frame 300mm telephoto photography.

In addition, the AF drive system incorporates the exceptionally quiet RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) stepping motor. Because this lens is compatible with Sony camera features, including in-body image stabilization and Eye AF, you can enjoy comfortable, high-speed, high precision telephoto photography, even handheld.

Experience the excitement of bringing distant subjects closer as well as the perspective flattering characteristics achieved by full-scale telephoto photography more easily than ever before. For landscapes, sports, birds and wildlife as well as closer subjects such as portraits and street scenes, this lens expands the range of telephoto photography.

Superior optical performance and supreme lightweight portability

Pursuing lightweight design as a top priority, Tamron has created a compact 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 zoom lens that makes 300mm telephoto shooting easy and fun. The superb optical design is based on a rigorous simulation process using state-of-the-art design technologies. As a result, Tamron has successfully struck a balance between extreme lightness (545g) and compactness, incorporating a slim lens barrel with a maximum diameter of 77mm without sacrificing high image quality. The optical design includes15 elements in 10 groups, with an LD (Low Dispersion) lens element, precisely arranged to suppress axial chromatic and other aberrations that are likely to happen with telephoto zoom lenses.

At 300mm, a commonly used telephoto zoom focal length, the design delivers excellent resolution from edge to edge. Overall, the efficient optical construction (which also contributes to its lightweight) plus Tamron’s BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating with its well-established reputation for anti-reflection properties, combine to enable the photographer to capture extremely clear, crisp images across the entire zoom range. While the lens features an advanced design with excellent core image quality, optical performance can be enhanced even further by employing the lens correction features found on Sony cameras.

With the introduction of this lens, all photographers, from first-time users of full-scale telephoto zoom lenses to experienced enthusiasts seeking a compact, lightweight telephoto zoom, can comfortably enjoy the advantages of a powerful, versatile zoom without worry about size or weight. Photographers who are shooting with in-camera image stabilization or using a tripod can reduce the burden of their gear. Moreover, the 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD maintains good balance even when used with the APS-C sized E-mount cameras that are smaller than full-frame cameras (e.g., Sony α6500); consequently, users can also enjoy photography with an even greater equivalent telephoto zoom appearance of approximately 450mm.

The RXD stepping motor unit is exceptionally quiet

The AF drive incorporates a sensor that accurately detects the position of the lens while the RXD motor unit delivers optimized AF control. This achieves very fast and accurate autofocus operation and allows users to maintain tack-sharp focus on continuously moving subjects shot at the telephoto zoom position. Thanks to the exceedingly quiet AF, the lens can be used discreetly in concert halls and other situations that require low noise levels, and for video recording.

A full family of superb, compact lenses made especially for mirrorless cameras

The 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD shares the same uniform 67mm filter diameter as other members of Tamron’s series of full-frame mirrorless camera lenses. When using an assortment of these lenses, users can interchange filters (e.g., PL, ND, etc.) and lens caps, thereby increasing convenience and minimizing costs as it is unnecessary to purchase a collection of different-size filters.