Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Review: A Sharp f/2.8 Ultra-Wide for Sony, Fujifilm and Canon APS-C
The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD first arrived for Sony E in June 2021. A Fujifilm X version followed in May 2023, and in December 2024 it became Tamron’s first lens for Canon RF, at $659. It weighs about 335 grams.
On APS-C it covers 16.5-30mm in full-frame terms, at a constant f/2.8. That makes it a wide zoom for landscapes, architecture, interiors and vlogging, with enough light for night work.
Ultra-wide zooms are the tool for big buildings seen from close by, like a museum facade with its towers and the cyclists passing under the arch.
Photo: Media Gallery
Dustin Abbott tested the Fujifilm X version on a 40MP body.
Video review: Dustin Abbott
Design
The optical formula is 12 elements in 10 groups, with two GM aspherical, two LD and one XLD element. The aperture has seven blades, and the filter thread is 67mm. Focus uses Tamron’s RXD stepping motor.
Close focus is 15cm at 11mm, for 1:4 magnification. The lens extends about 2cm at 11mm. It’s sealed at seven points with a fluorine front coating. There’s no aperture ring, no AF/MF switch and no stabilization.
How it performs
Digital Camera World and Abbott found it sharp with excellent overall performance, and Camera Labs found it sharper than the Sigma 10-18mm. Autofocus is fast and quiet for stills, and Abbott praised the coma control for astrophotography.
Distortion is heavy at 11mm before correction, and Abbott found the corners at 11mm never get very sharp. He also saw autofocus hunting and stepping in video, and some flare and ghosting when stopped down. Fujifilm owners will miss an aperture ring.
Who should buy it
APS-C shooters on Sony, Fujifilm or Canon who want the best-performing f/2.8 wide zoom and don’t mind a little weight. It suits the Sony A6700, Fujifilm X-T5 and Canon EOS R7.
The Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 is wider and much lighter at 250 grams. Fujifilm’s XF 8-16mm F2.8 goes wider still at about 2.5 times the weight. On Sony, the E 11mm F1.8 is a brighter, smaller prime alternative. For a standard zoom to pair with it, see the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8.
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