04/06/2026 9:31 am
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Which Tamron zoom should I grab for my X-T5 before I head to Portugal next month? I finally bit the bullet and upgraded from my ancient X-T20 but now I'm worried about my old glass not keeping up with that 40MP sensor. I've been shooting Fuji for like six years now so I know my way around the system but the newer third-party stuff is kind of a blind spot for me.
I'm looking at the 17-70mm f2.8 vs the 18-300mm but I'm worried the superzoom is gonna look soft on the high res body. The 17-70 has the constant aperture which is huge for those sunset shots in Lisbon but man it looks chunky in the photos and I really want to travel light this time around. Is the IBIS in the X-T5 enough that I don't need the lens stabilization? My budget is roughly a grand, maybe a bit more if it's worth it. I just don't want to get home and realize half my landscape shots are mushy because I picked the wrong glass for the pixels. Is the 11-20mm worth considering as a secondary or should I just stick to one do-it-all zoom for a three week trip? Decisions are hard...
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04/06/2026 10:15 am
Re: "Building on the earlier suggestion, I've been putting..." - while I agree the 17-70 is sharp, I actually have a totally different take on the travel side of things! While the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is amazing for image quality, I find it way too chunky for a light travel kit. If you are walking 10 miles a day in Lisbon, you are totally gonna feel it. Since your budget is around a grand, you can actually get way more versatility if you are willing to look at a two-lens setup. I really think you should consider this instead:
- Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- This thing is tiny, super affordable, and honestly handles the 40MP sensor on the X-T5 like a champ.
- Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 Di III-A RXD
- This is the one you want for those tight Portuguese streets! Seriously, the IBIS in the X-T5 is fantastic so dont worry about lacking VC on the lens. You will get that ultra-wide perspective for the cathedrals and still have a fast f2.8 zoom for everything else. Plus, you will probably have enough cash left over for a few extra SD cards or a nice dinner in Porto! The 11-20mm is definitely worth it as a secondary, it is basically glued to my camera when I travel now. Its just way more fun than carrying a single heavy lens all day long. Tbh, the 17-70 is just too much weight for a vacation...
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04/06/2026 9:31 am
Unfortunately, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD was way too mushy on the 40MP sensor. Waste of money tbh.
- soft edges
- huge size Get the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD instead, honestly.
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04/06/2026 9:55 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, I've been putting my Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD through its paces on the X-T5 and I'm super satisfied with how it handles that 40MP sensor. Ngl, the 18-300 is a fun walk around lens but it just cant keep up with the technical demands of the newer bodies if you're looking for pixel-peeping sharpness. A few things I noticed from my last trip:
- The constant f/2.8 is a game changer for those dimly lit cathedrals and late dinners.
- Even though the X-T5 has IBIS, the lens stabilization (VC) actually syncs up pretty well for even better micro-shake correction.
- If you want to keep the weight down but need more width, definitely look at the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD. It's tiny compared to the 17-70 and the image quality is crisp. I was worried about the chunkiness too but it balances okay once you get used to it... just get a good strap!
