Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
Covering a 150-600mm focal range with an f/5-6.3 maximum aperture, this lens stands out through its effective 4.5-stop image stabilization and weather-sealed construction. Advanced eBAND and BBAR coatings paired with a fluorine coating reduce flare and repel moisture, making it practical for harsh field conditions. It's best suited for Canon full-frame DSLR photographers who need an affordable, versatile super-telephoto for wildlife and sports, where its reach and stabilization shine.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Tamron SP 150-600mm G2 is a super-telephoto zoom for Nikon F-mount that delivers outstanding reach, best-in-class stabilization, and fast autofocus at a reasonable price. It's heavy and struggles in low light, but for wildlife and outdoor sports shooters, it's a top pick.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredible 150-600mm reach on a full-frame body 96th
- Top-tier image stabilization for handheld shooting 96th
- Fast, accurate autofocus that's great for wildlife 91st
- Excellent optical sharpness for the price 89th
- Weather-sealed construction for outdoor use
Cons
- Slow variable aperture (f/5-6.3) struggles in low light
- Heavy at nearly 2kg, a tripod collar is a must for long sessions
- Bokeh quality is underwhelming, sitting in the 7th percentile
- Build quality feels a step behind premium first-party lenses
- Minimum focus distance of 2.2m limits close-up work
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q4 202095/100
Buyers praised the lens for sharpness, build quality, and fast autofocus, finding it manageable for handheld use and suitable for wildlife and bird photography. Positive experiences with customer service and shipping were also noted.
- Sharpness and image quality consistently praised, with users noting tack-sharp results on various camera bodies.
- Build quality described as sturdy and solid, yet relatively light and manageable for handheld use.
- Autofocus performance highlighted as quick and effective, with calibration options via tap-in console.
- Customer service and shipping experience positive, with prompt responses and timely delivery.
- Q3 202091/100
Buyers in Q3 2020 praised the lens for its sharpness, build quality, and value, especially for wildlife photography. One noted a minor issue with the polarizer color shift in the bundle.
- Sharpness is consistently praised, with users noting ultra-sharp images and no need for calibration.
- Build quality and handling are highlighted as solid and comfortable, with good image stabilization.
- Value for price is emphasized, with users noting it's a good lens for the cost and a significant upgrade over older models.
- Bundle extras are seen as mixed: some filters feel cheap and the polarizer causes color shift, but the lens itself is excellent.
- Q2 2020100/100
Buyers in this period praised the Tamron 150-600mm lens for its performance, sharpness, and ease of use, with one noting excellent results on birds and moon shots. Shipping and kit freebies from Adorama were also highlighted.
- Lens performs as expected for wildlife photography, delivering sharp images and great results.
- Adorama's fast free shipping and kit freebies were appreciated, seen as unmatched online.
- Lens is easy to use and versatile, suitable for various subjects like birds and moon shots.
- During social distancing, the lens helped one buyer connect with nature, a positive outcome.
- Q2 201995/100
Buyers in this period praised the lens for its reach, image quality, and fast autofocus, calling it a game changer for wildlife photography. It was described as heavy but well-built and a great value.
- Excellent image quality and sharpness, especially for wildlife photography.
- Fast and accurate autofocus for a lens of this focal length.
- Great value for the money, with several buyers saying they would buy again.
- Heavy but well-made; weight is a trade-off for build quality.
- Q1 201978/100
Buyers praised sharpness, value, and handholdability for wildlife, but one reported a loose mount causing unusable images and another struggled with low light.
- Sharpness and image quality praised, especially for wildlife and airshows.
- Handholdable at 600mm with effective VC, enabling versatile shooting.
- Loose mount on three Canon bodies made sharp images impossible for one user.
- Low light performance challenging; some needed calibration or manual focus.
- Q4 201882/100
Buyers praised the Tamron 150-600mm G2 for sharpness, value, and reach, often upgrading from Nikon or the original version. Some noted slower autofocus and softness at 600mm f/6.3, plus a learning curve and weight.
- Sharp images, especially at shorter focal lengths; several users noted better sharpness than expected or compared to Nikon lenses.
- Great value for the price, with excellent reach and performance in good light, making it a solid budget telephoto option.
- Autofocus is reasonably fast but not as quick as Canon or Nikon lenses; some found it slow, requiring learning its nuances.
- At 600mm f/6.3, sharpness is not tack sharp; also lens is heavy, requiring tripod or monopod for extended use.
- Q3 201874/100
Buyers in Q3 2018 generally praised the lens for sharpness, fast autofocus, and value, but several reported focus issues and softness at 600mm, with mixed durability feedback.
- Sharp images, fast autofocus, and good value for wildlife photography, especially compared to Nikon 200-500.
- Focus issues: freezing, blurry images, and inability to focus sharply at certain settings; some returned the lens.
- Image quality at 600mm is less sharp than at shorter focal lengths; some found it acceptable, others not.
- Build quality praised as solid and weather-sealed, but lens is heavy and easily scuffed; focusing ring stiffness noted.
Based on 105 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Optically, this lens is a standout. In our database, it sits in the 93rd percentile for optical quality among all lenses, which is seriously impressive for a zoom with this much range. The three LD elements and Tamron's eBAND coating do heavy lifting to keep chromatic aberration and flare under control, even when you're shooting backlit subjects at 600mm. Sharpness is excellent through most of the range, though it does soften just a touch at the very long end, which is typical. The Ultrasonic Silent Drive autofocus motor is another high point, landing in the 94th percentile for AF performance. It snaps onto subjects quickly and tracks moving wildlife without a lot of hunting, though it's not quite as instantaneous as some high-end native glass. The stabilization is best-in-class, hitting the 95th percentile, which is a lifesaver when you're at 600mm and the light starts to dip.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 150 |
| Focal Length Max | 600 |
| Elements | 21 |
| Groups | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 0 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/5-6.3 |
| Min Aperture | f/32-40 |
| Constant | No |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 2.0 kg / 4.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 95 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | USD |
| Stabilization | Yes |
| Stabilization Stops | 4.5 |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 2200 |
| Max Magnification | 0.26x |
vs Competition
The Tamron G2 goes head-to-head with a few different options depending on what you shoot. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 and Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN are completely different beasts, standard zooms for mirrorless systems, so they're not direct competitors for a super-telephoto. The real alternative in the F-mount world is the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E. The Nikon gives you a constant f/5.6 aperture, which is a real advantage for low light, but you lose 100mm on the long end and 50mm on the wide end. The Tamron's autofocus and stabilization are slightly better in our testing, but the Nikon feels more solidly built. If you're on a Sony DSLR body (yes, the A-mount still exists), the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS isn't even in the same conversation for reach. For sheer focal length per dollar, the Tamron is hard to beat.
| Spec | Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 | Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z | Viltrox LAB AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE | Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM | Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC | Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 150-600mm | 24-105mm | 35mm | 50-150mm | 17-40mm | 50mm |
| Max Aperture | f/5-6.3 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 | f/2 | f/1.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Canon RF | Sony E | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z |
| Format Coverage | full-frame | full-frame | full-frame | full-frame | APS-C | full-frame |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | false | false | false |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 1990 | 1315 | 910 | 1340 | 535 | 1090 |
| AF Type | USD | Nano USM | VCM | XD linear motors | HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) | Multi-Focus Stepping Motor AF System |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | prime | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Reach | Video | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Wide Angle | Portability | Versatility | Social Proof | Affordability | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 | 83.5 | 67.6 | 90.6 | 65.7 | 95.6 | 28.6 | 72.3 | 7.7 | 82 | 8.4 | 4.4 | 88.8 | 82.1 | 15.6 | 96.2 |
| Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Compare | 89.9 | 78.7 | 95.1 | 69.5 | 73.9 | 88 | 97.9 | 43.9 | 82 | 74.5 | 11.1 | 91.9 | 88.1 | 8.1 | 96 |
| Viltrox LAB AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE Compare | 95.4 | 69 | 90.6 | 45.3 | 29.5 | 72.2 | 92.6 | 96.1 | 82 | 53.2 | 20.5 | 33 | 88.1 | 33.4 | 36.2 |
| Sony G Master FE 50-150mm f/2 GM Compare | 95.4 | 95.9 | 98.8 | 52 | 80.3 | 88 | 95.6 | 64.2 | 66.4 | 39.9 | 10.8 | 82.3 | 92.6 | 7.4 | 36.2 |
| Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Compare | 95.4 | 53.1 | 95.1 | 54.2 | 53.1 | 88 | 97.3 | 74.9 | 98.8 | 68.6 | 47.1 | 75.4 | 92.6 | 33.6 | 36.2 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Compare | 68.6 | 80.6 | 77.3 | 38 | 43.9 | 72.2 | 87.5 | 96.1 | 92.8 | 39.9 | 15.3 | 33 | 96.1 | 15.9 | 36.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing on this lens is all over the map, with a spread of over $38,000 across vendors, which is frankly absurd and likely driven by third-party marketplace weirdness. The realistic street price for a new copy sits around $1,989, and at that level, it's a fantastic value for the reach you get. For comparison, a first-party Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 costs more and gives you less range. If you can snag one from a reputable seller like Newegg at the lower end of that spectrum, you're getting a lot of lens for the money. Just double-check you're buying the USA model if that 6-year warranty matters to you.
We started tracking prices for this product on May 27, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Read more
Overview
If you're hunting for a super-telephoto zoom that won't completely destroy your bank account, the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (often just called the G2) is probably on your radar. This is a full-frame lens for Nikon F-mount shooters who need serious reach for wildlife, airshows, or backyard birding. The 150-600mm range gives you a ton of flexibility, and the constant f/5 max aperture at the wide end is about as good as it gets in this class without spending five figures. At nearly 2kg, it's a chunky piece of glass, but the built-in Vibration Compensation (rated for 4.5 stops) means you can actually handhold it in decent light without everything turning into a blurry mess.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Tamron 150-600mm G2 good for wildlife photography?
Yes, it's excellent for wildlife. The 600mm reach gets you close to distant subjects, and the fast, accurate autofocus combined with 4.5-stop stabilization makes it easy to track animals in good light.
Q: Does the Tamron 150-600mm G2 work on full-frame cameras?
Absolutely. It's designed for full-frame Nikon F-mount cameras (FX format) and also works on APS-C bodies where it gives you an effective 225-900mm field of view.
Q: Is the Tamron 150-600mm G2 weather sealed?
Yes, it has weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, making it a solid choice for outdoor shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.
Q: How heavy is the Tamron 150-600mm G2?
It weighs 1991g (about 4.4 lbs), so it's definitely a handful. Most shooters will want a monopod or tripod for extended use, though the stabilization helps a lot for short handheld bursts.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this lens if you primarily shoot portraits, indoor events, or anything that demands a fast aperture and beautiful background blur. The bokeh is a weak spot, and the f/5-6.3 max aperture will frustrate you in low light. If you need a lens for dimly lit weddings or concerts, look at a 70-200mm f/2.8 instead. Macro shooters should also look elsewhere, the 2.2m minimum focus distance and mediocre close-up performance won't cut it for detailed small-subject work.
Verdict
Should you buy the Tamron SP 150-600mm G2? If you're a Nikon F-mount shooter who spends weekends at the track, in a bird blind, or chasing your kid's soccer games from the sidelines, the answer is a pretty easy yes. The reach is phenomenal, the stabilization lets you leave the tripod at home more often than you'd think, and the autofocus keeps up with fast action. Just know what you're signing up for. This is not a lens for dimly lit gymnasiums or indoor events. The slow aperture means you'll be cranking your ISO once the sun starts to set, and the bokeh won't win any awards for creamy backgrounds. But for daylight telephoto work, it's one of the best values out there.
Usage Scores
- Macro47.1
- Overall74.2
- Budget45.2
- Street31.2
- Travel53.8
- Portrait54.1
- Landscape43.1
- Professional69.3
- Video Cinema41.2
- Wildlife Sports84
