This is an 18-270mm zoom lens that is image stabilised. Tamron calls it "The Ultimate All-In-One Zoom: Longest, Steadiest Lens On Earth", which is one of those records made to be broken. It is available in Nikon and Canon mounts.

The sheer versatility of this lens makes you overlook its weaknesses; It is a pleasure to be able to walk around with a lens that replaces a bag full of lesser range zooms and primes.

Auto focus is slow, particularly at the long end of the range; It is not suitable for fast moving subjects; There is noticeable distortion which is just acceptable at wide angle, but the pincushion effect at the long end is so bad that it demands correction in software; Zoom creep is irritating

With the broadest zoom range (15X) of any interchangeable lens for DSLRs, this 28-419mm equivalent superzoom ($600, street) also packs a Vibration Compensation system for sharp handheld shooting at long focal lengths or slow shutter speeds.

in all camera mounts it supports including Canon's APS-C mount. The 15x focal length range is, without a doubt,

Review of the first 15x superzoom lens for APS-C format DSLRs, and it includes Vibration Compensation for sharp-shooting even at slow shutter speeds.

Zoom range; Price; Vibration Compensation feature; Light weight

Slow maximum aperture; Needs to be used at mid-apertures for best quality

When I review lenses I take a look at who they are built for. I realize not every DPS reader wants to lug around a 5lb lens worth a couple month's rent. While I love my main lens, it's not for everyone and I'd be a fool to tell you you should buy it if you just want a portrait lens.

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Fast / accurate auto-focus; Image quality; Nice Bokeh; Rugged; Strong Construction

Heavy; Lens Creep; Slow Focus

ePHOTOzine lens expert, Gary Wolstenholme casts his keen eye over the 15x Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC LD Aspherical (IF).

Zoom range; Price; Vibration Compensation feature; Light weight

Slow maximum aperture; Needs to be used at mid-apertures for best quality

Announced early in December 2010, Tamron's 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens introduces a new PZD (Piezo Drive) ultrasonic motor that delivers faster and quieter autofocusing. Claimed as the world's most compact, lightweight lens with a 15x zoom ratio it is designed for DSLR cameras with APS-C...

You want a general-purpose zoom lens that covers most types of subjects; You'd like a lens that requires no readjustment when you fit polarisers and graduated filters; You're happy to shoot and process raw files to optimise imaging performance

You need close focusing and macro capabilities; You want a lens for a camera with a 36 x 24 mm sensor; You need a lens with excellent flatness of field for architectural photography and copying

Cons Bottom Line Pick This Up If...

Very well built; Comfortable controls; Capable VC system; Very quiet and fast AF and VC; Incredibly compact; Amazing 15x optical zoom range

Images are soft throughout the zoom range at all aperture settings; Small amount of visible CA; Zoom ring is stiff but smooth

First introduced on December 9, 2010, the is 15x zoom lens for Canon and Nikon mounts (Sony coming soon) that offers photographers massive focal length versatility in the "most compact" form factor currently available.