The Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 lens has been available for Sony and Fujifilm cameras for quite some time, but the Canon RF mount version took longer to arrive. This delay was due to Canon’s initial decision not to grant third-party manufacturers, like Tamron, permission to produce RF-mount lenses. Fortunately, Canon has since reversed this policy, giving users access to a broader range of lens options from third-party brands.
So I was given the opportunity to test and try out the Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Di III-A RXD wide-angle zoom lens for Canon APS-C mirrorless cameras, and for clarity the lens was on loan and I was not paid to review the lens.
Here’s a summary of my thoughts plus some example images, I’ve also made a full review video (see below) where I share more more information and feature more example images
Build and features
Straight out of the box, the Tamron 11-20mm impresses with its lightweight build (just 340g) and compact size, making it a natural fit for smaller Canon cameras. The zoom and focus rings feel smooth with just enough resistance, and the constant f2.8 aperture is a key selling point for low-light flexibility and anyone wishing to create a shallow depth of field. New additions to this lens (not featured on the Fujifilm and Sony versions) include a focus switch (for switching between Auto Focus and Manual Focus) and a USB-C port for firmware updates. It's also good to see that Tamron included a lens hood in the box.
Filter size is 67mm.
Performance
I tested the lens using a Canon EOS R50 around Brisbane and found the lens to be versatile and reliable. Its ultra-wide focal range is ideal for architecture and landscapes capturing impressive detail. The images had good contrast and the lens handled flare well with minimal ghosting. With the lens wide open a shallow depth of field can be achieved with pleasant background blur and nice rounded highlights (bokeh).
Capturing Brisbane’s vibrant skyline at night, I experimented with some long exposures, the lens delivered consistently impressive results with crisp starbursts (see image) when using the lens (aperture) stopped down.
Optical Quality
Centre of frame sharpness was consistently good with this lens, with some noticeable edge of image softness when shooting wide open at 11mm. Sharpness improves when stopped down to f5 through to f9 with no noticeable chromatic aberration or distortion to worry about, although some minor vignetting was apparent at f2.8.
How it compares
At around $1,100 AUD, the Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 competes well against rivals like the Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 (approx $1,000 AUD) and Canon’s own RF-S 10-18mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM (Approx $500 AUD) offering superior low-light performance and creative flexibility thanks to its wider aperture zoom range.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Canon APS-C mirrorless shooter, the Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Di III-A RXD is certainly worth a look. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, architecture, or low-light scenes, this lens offers superb image quality, creative flexibility, and good build quality in a lightweight, compact package.
Watch the full review on the Photo Genius YouTube channel.
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