This post will compare the Tamron 10-24 vs Nikon 10-24 lens.
You can see the Tamron lens here: Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II
I used my Nikon D300s DSLR Camera
So, who’s the winner?
Let’s start the Tamron 10-24 vs Nikon 10-24 lens comparison.
Before we start, I will need to tell you my lens preference, since the final result in this comparison will be based on it (NOTE: Skip this part if you’ve read it before). I will list my most important preference in descending order (no. 1 is the most important, no. 2 is the 2nd most important, and so on…). I’m more of a landscape/nature photographer and here’s what I want a lens to be:
- Has excellent optics (sharp, low distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberration)
- Wide
- Lightweight and small
- Image Stabilized
- Inexpensive
- Fast Autofocus
- Metal build quality
Note that my preference will be different from yours. For example, if you are a sport shooter, you might put “Fast Autofocus” as your first priority and “Telephoto” as your second one. Or if you’re just starting out, you might put “Inexpensive” as number 1 and “Excellent Optics” as number 2. See what I mean?
If you have pretty much the same preference as me, that’s awesome. The winner of this comparison is the lens that I’d recommend you to get.
However, for those of you who has different preference, I’d highly recommend you come up with YOUR OWN preference list. Just pick a blank piece of paper and rearrange the list above according to your preference. This way, you can pick the lens that best suits YOUR personal photography needs, not mine.
Let’s get started and see who’s the real winner.
Specs Comparison • Optics Comparison • Build Comparison • Conclusion
Tamron 10-24 vs Nikon 10-24 – Specs Comparison
Back to: Menu • Introduction
| Specs / Lens | Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II | Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 12 | 9 / 14 |
| Angle of View | 108°-60° | 109°-61° |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 | 7 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.24m (9.4″) | 0.79ft. |
| Filter Thread | 77mm | 77mm |
| Weight | 406g (14.3oz.) | 460g (16.2 oz.) |
| Dimension (Dia. x Length) | ø83.2 x 86.5mm (3.1in x 3.9in) | ø82.5 x 87mm (3.25 x 3.42 in) |
| Street Price (2010) | USD $499 | USD $859 |
The Tamron wins on: Price.
The Nikkor wins on: Optical design.
Specs Winner: None. Nikkor’s superior optical design cost nearly twice the price of Tamron.
Optics Comparison
Back to: Menu • Introduction
How to Read the Comparison Table
It’s very easy. Let me give you an example. Suppose you see this table:
Center Sharpness Comparison Table
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 |
| 17mm | T | N | - |
First, look at the title. We’re comparing the Center Sharpness between the two lenses.
Then look at the focal length, let’s say 17mm, and then the aperture, let’s say f/2.8. Then look at the value that correspond to both, in this case: “T”.
” T ” stands for Tamron. This means that at 17mm at f/2.8, the Tamron is better than Nikon.
” N ” stands for Nikon. If you see this, then that means at that focal length and aperture, the Nikon is better than the Tamron. Referring to the table above, on 17mm at f/4, the Nikon is better than Tamron.
” – ” means draw. When you see this, both the Tamron and the Nikon are equally good at that focal length and aperture. Referring back to the table above, on 17mm and f/5.6, both the Nikon and the Tamron are equally good.
Pretty easy and straightforward right? Let’s go on.
Tamron 10-24 vs Nikon 10-24 – Sharpness Comparison
Center Sharpness Comparison Table
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | N | - | - | - |
| 14mm | N | - | - | - |
| 18mm | N | - | - | - |
| 24mm | - | - | - | - |
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Border Sharpness Comparison Table
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | - | N | - | - |
| 14mm | N | N | N | - |
| 18mm | - | N | N | - |
| 24mm | - | N | N | N |
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Distortion Comparison
Distortion Comparison Table
| Focal Length | Winner |
| 10mm | T |
| 14mm | N |
| 18mm | N |
| 24mm | N |
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Vignetting Comparison
Vignetting Comparison Table
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | N | - | - | - |
| 14mm | T | - | - | - |
| 18mm | T | T | - | - |
| 24mm | T | T | T | - |
WINNER: Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II
Chromatic Aberration Comparison
Chromatic Aberration Comparison Table
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/3.5-4.5 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 10mm | N | N | - | - |
| 14mm | - | - | - | - |
| 18mm | - | - | - | - |
| 24mm | - | - | - | N |
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Build Comparison
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials Comparison
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II: High quality plastics.
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX: High grade plastics, better than the Tamron.
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Zoom Ring Comparison
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II: Smooth and responsive.
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX: Smooth and responsive.
WINNER: None
Autofocus Comparison
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II: Quick and accurate. It has an internal focusing motor so it will autofocus even with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as D40, D40x, D60, D5000 and D3000. In addition the front element doesn’t rotate, so using a polarizing filter is not a problem.
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX: The Nikkor features an AF-S motor which makes its focusing faster and quieter than the Tamron. Accuracy is dead on. This lens will autofocus even with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as D40, D40x, D60, D5000 and D3000. Front element doesn’t roates, so using a polarizing filter is not a problem.
WINNER: Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Image Stabilization Comparison
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II: None
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX: None
WINNER: None. Both does not have image stabilization.
Compatibility Comparison
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II: Only compatible with Nikon DX camera.
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX: Only compatible with Nikon DX camera.
WINNER: None.
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
To recap, let’s summarize our findings so far.
The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II won on:
- Price
- Better vignetting control
Total: 2 Points
The Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX won on:
- Optical design
- Sharpness (Center and Border)
- Distortion control
- Chromatic aberration control
- Autofocus
- Build quality
Total: 6 Points
Final Thoughts:
Well, that was an easy win for the Nikkor. Even at almost twice the price, the Nikkor has proven to be worth the price.
Go for the Nikkor on this one. You’ll get a premium wide angle lens for your DSLR.
OVERALL WINNER
Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX
Support this site, buy the Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX from Amazon
Alternatively, if you want to buy the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II for Nikon mount (not recommended), you can do so from these links: Amazon
Thanks for reading my Tamron 10-24 vs Nikon 10-24 lens comparison and hope you can make the best buying decision!
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