vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

Image stabilization Tamron VC vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Better telephoto 300 mm vs 200 mm
Help
50% more reach, less perspective distortion
More zoom 4.3x vs 2.9x
Help
Around 50% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f Learn more about
the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f

Reasons to consider the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Has a silent focus motor Canon USM vs Tamron USD
Help
Focuses quickly and silently
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Learn more about
the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f:Tamron USD
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM:Canon USM
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Aperture Very narrow widest aperture size Help
f/4

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f:$449.00
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM:$629.00
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
70 mm
Weight Light weight Help
SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f:0.8 kg
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM:0.7 kg

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Nikon Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$587

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Length Is shorter
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Wildlife lens

$649

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Telephoto lens

$1,149

Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Nikon Nikkor  70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G

Wildlife lens

$150

Length Is shorter
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Wildlife lens

$150

Length Is shorter
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$1,899

Aperture Has a wider aperture
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is heavier

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Nikon-f Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$309

Weight Slightly lighter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Nikon-f

Macro lens

$199

Weight Slightly lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$309

Weight Slightly lighter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Canon-ef

Sports lens

$1,249

Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Weight Heavier
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,399

Image stabilization Better image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Lowest price More expensive
Weight Slightly heavier

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Canon-ef

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Canon-ef

Sports lens

$769

Aperture Wider aperture
Magnification More magnification
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Weight Heavier
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$449

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Max focal length Better telephoto
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Wide angle lens

$1,149

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Length Shorter
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Wildlife lens

$169

Max focal length Better telephoto
Length Shorter
Fixed aperture Has a variable aperture
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,349

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Min focal length Much worse wide angle
Zoom range Less zoom

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

Showing 1 comments

Ian (6:55 AM, July 28, 2011)
Lens Hero I love this website!!!
I do have one comment though,
The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD does have a "silent focus motor" 
USD stands for Ultrasonic Silent Drive, and is extremely quiet!
Thank you,                ~Respectfully, Ian