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Tamron's 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD APS-C lens is now available for Canon's RF and Nikon's Z mount. When the company announced the new mount options for the lens earlier this year, it caused a bit of a stir, as it's the first third-party APS-C zoom lens with autofocus released for Nikon's mount.

The company is pitching it as an "all-in-one" option for people looking for a lens that can both shoot ultra-wide (27mm equiv. on Nikon, 29mm equiv. on Canon) and capture relatively far-away subjects at its tele setting (450mm equiv. Nikon, 480mm equiv. Canon).

While this class of zooms generally doesn't provide the image quality you'd expect from a prime or higher-end zoom, they are undoubtedly versatile. That makes them a popular pick for people starting out, as they provide reach that smartphones don't, without making you juggle multiple lenses.

Both versions of the lens have a zoom lock switch to keep it from accidentally extending while you're not using it. The version for Canon cameras also has an AF/MF switch and a stabilization switch.

On RF mount, the Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD will be competing with the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS, which fills a similar niche. That lens isn't available on Z mount, and Nikon doesn't make any single APS-C lens that covers this kind of range.

The RF and Z mount versions will cost $629, which is actually $70 less than the retail price for the Sony and Fujifilm versions when the lens was originally announced in 2021. The Z mount version will be available on August 28th, and the RF mount version will follow on September 26th.

Z mount:

RF mount:

Press Release:

One Lens That Covers Wide-Angle to Ultra-Telephoto and Everything in Between!
18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061)

August 7, 2025, Commack NY – TAMRON Americas announces the launch of the 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras on August 28, 2025, for Nikon Z mount and September 26, 2025, for CANON RF mount. Both lenses will retail for $629 USD / $849 CAD.

The 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) is an all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It was the world's first lens1 to achieve a zoom ratio of 16.6x when it was released in 2021 for the Sony E and FUJIFILM X mounts.2 And now, it is being released for Nikon Z and CANON RF mounts.

The 16.6x zoom range lets you take photos from wide-angle to ultra-telephoto without having to change lenses. With its wide to ultra-telephoto reach3, this all-in-one lens is ideal for a wide range of scenes, including landscapes, snapshots, portraits, animals, and birds. What's more, thanks to its compact design, you can easily take it with you on vacation, backpacking, and hikes. The MOD (Minimum Object Distance) is 5.9” (0.15m) at the wide end, and the maximum magnification ratio is 1:2, making it possible to capture impressive images that bring out the power and detail of the subject. The lens is equipped with the high-speed, high-precision linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) and TAMRON's original VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization mechanism, supporting comfortable and stable shooting. This all-in-one zoom lens makes photography more fun because you can use it in an unlimited number of situations. Its versatility will inspire you to push your creativity further and further.

Product Features

1. Versatile 16.6x zoom range to capture all kinds of photography including landscape, travel, snapshots, portraits, animals, birds
2. Compact and lightweight design fits APS-C camera concept, and is ideal for travel and everyday photography
3. Uncompromising optical performance throughout the entire zoom range
4. Best-in-class autofocus VXD that’s fast and precise, great for sports, action, bird and animal photography
5. Maximum magnification ratio is 1:2, absolutely amazing for an all-in-one zoom lens
6. Tamron's proprietary VC supports telephoto and low-light shooting
7. AF/MF switch and VC on/off switch for Canon RF mount
8. Firmware update with Tamron Lens Utility™ software for Nikon Z and Canon RF mounts
9. Ø67mm filter diameter for system convenience
10. Protective features (Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating)

1. Among interchangeable zoom lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras (As of July 2021: TAMRON)

2. The lens for Sony E-mount launched September 24, 2021, and on October 28, 2021, FUJIFILM X mount

3. A full-frame equivalent of 27-450mm for Nikon Z mount, and 28.8-480mm for CANON RF mount

It's no secret that photography gear is expensive. For most of us, whether professionals or hobbyists, purchasing cameras, lenses, tripods and other equipment is a significant investment. Repairing or replacing damaged or stolen gear could be cost-prohibitive, leaving you without gear you need. But a camera isn't much good if you never take it out because of worry over what could happen to it.

That's where insurance comes in. Just as you might get insurance for your expensive guitar or jewelry, a plan for your camera gear can help protect your investment in case something happens. If you're curious about insurance for your camera, here's what you need to know.

Homeowners and renters insurance typically are limited in what they cover for camera gear.

Photo: witsarut sakorn / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

If you rent or own a home, you likely have insurance for that. Such policies cover your personal belongings, but they often have limitations that could render the policy insufficient for your needs. For example, many policies don't cover accidental damage, such as if you drop your camera. Additionally, a claim may be denied if you use your camera for any amount of professional use, even if it's just an occasional paid shoot or selling prints.

Even more of an issue is that many plans have strict caps on the value and number of items covered. The value caps could even be as low as $1000. That may be enough if you're a casual hobbyist with a beginner-level camera and a single lens, but any more than that could fall outside of coverage, leaving you to foot the bill.

Homeowners and renters insurance typically doesn't cover accidental damage, so a policy for your gear is a smart investment.

Photo: Boy_Anupong / Moment via Getty Images

If your renters or homeowners insurance is too limiting, you may want to consider a dedicated plan or add-on (called a rider) for your gear. The names of such plans vary depending on the insurance company, but it could be something like a "Personal Articles Policy" or "Valuable Personal Property Insurance."

The cost of coverage varies based on your location, insurance company and the value of your items. The more you need covered and the more expensive those items are, the higher the annual cost. However, it is generally relatively affordable even with an extensive, professional kit. Plus, considering what it could save you if something happened, it is well worth the expense.

Even better, many plans don't have a deductible, unlike homeowners or renters insurance, which often have relatively steep deductibles. For example, a $1000 deductible on a $1400 camera often isn’t helpful. Plus, filing a claim is often easier than dealing with homeowners' insurance.

Dedicated insurance for your camera equipment is likely a good decision if you spent (or plan on spending) a good amount of money on cameras, lenses and other accessories. It's especially worthwhile for those who travel or spend time outside with their camera, where it could get dropped, stolen or damaged from the elements. Even if you only have a single fixed-lens camera, a specific policy for your camera may be smart if your homeowners or renters policy is limited in what it will cover.

A protection plan makes even more sense if you're a professional photographer, since homeowners' and renters' insurance won't cover your gear in such cases. It's also critical if you have many pieces of high-end gear. After all, your livelihood, or at least part of it, is dependent on your equipment. If something happens and you have to pay for a new camera out of pocket, it could mean the difference between continuing your business or folding.

It's important to know that general personal article policies typically don't cover professional use. If you make money from your photography, you may need to get a plan specifically for a small business. Look carefully at the plan details beforehand so that you don't end up with a denied claim because of professional activity. It's also worth noting that, while not gear-related, certain states, cities or venues may require photographers to carry liability insurance. However, that type of plan is often separate from gear coverage.

If you decide to take out insurance for your photography equipment, you'll want to get some things in order. Each insurance company has specific information they require, but most will ask for a list of all your gear with the serial numbers (when applicable), value, description and proof of ownership (such as a receipt) for each item. They won't be able to give you a quote for your annual premium until they have that information. Plus, that list is also helpful for your records, even if you don't want to get it insured. Some companies may also require photographs of each item for their records.

Keep in mind that you can insure far more than your camera and lenses. Tripods, camera bags, laptops, lights and other accessories can all be quite expensive, so it makes sense to insure those, too.

When it comes to choosing an insurance company, most large insurers will offer some variety of personal property insurance. In the United States, State Farm, Progressive, USAA, Allstate and more offer such plans. Most also have plans suitable for professionals, though many working pros prefer specialized insurers because of better claim handling and scope of coverage. For example, organizations like Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the National Photographic Society (NPS) and The Guild of Photographers offer insurance for members.

If something happens to your gear, there are a few things to remember. First, if it is stolen, file a police report immediately. Insurers will require a police report if you're filing a claim for theft, and you want that on the record as soon as possible. If you're traveling out of the country, make sure you do so before you leave, because getting a police report once you're home is next to impossible.

For broken gear, write an account of what happened while it's fresh in your mind, and take photos or even videos of the damaged item(s). Then, contact your insurance as soon as possible. Many companies have deadlines for claim submissions, and if you wait too long, they may not accept your claim.

The cost and benefits of insurance coverage will ultimately vary depending on your location, gear and specific needs. If you're on the fence or confused about needing a specific policy or want to know the cost, contact an insurance agent for more specific advice. Additionally, some of the information in this article is specific to the US. While insurance is broadly similar in other countries, it's best to check locally to ensure you have the most accurate information for your area.

Here at DPReview, we don’t usually write news articles about ourselves, but today I’m making an exception to share an exciting update. We’ve added a full-time person to our team dedicated to managing our online forums. This represents a significant investment in the future of DPReview and, more importantly, in you, our community.

DPReview’s forums have been a central part of our site since the very beginning, with millions of posts dating back as far as 1999. These forums are a vault of information dating to the early days of digital photography and are one of the most frequently cited forums on the internet by Google. To say they’ve had a massive impact on the digital photography community would be an understatement.

For the past 25 years, our forums have run more or less autonomously, thanks to an incredible team of dedicated volunteer moderators. Their commitment has been essential in preserving the expert-driven discussions that make our forums a reliable resource. The addition of a full-time Community Manager is not a replacement for these moderators, but an expansion of our commitment to the forums, allowing us to support our volunteers more effectively.

On that note, I’m thrilled to introduce our new Community Manager, Mathew Anderson, who joins us with over 15 years of experience managing large online communities. More importantly, Mathew is a DPReview reader and has used our camera reviews to guide his own purchases. In other words, he’s one of us, and he’s excited to engage with our community.

DPReview's new Community Manager, Mathew Anderson, at his desk preparing for an online community roundtable event.

Photo courtesy of Mathew Anderson

Mathew’s primary job at DPReview is to represent you – our readers and forum members. Consider him your advocate and key communications link to our team; don’t hesitate to send him a message if you need assistance or just want to say hello.

Adding a full-time person focused on community will allow us to bring you a better forum experience.

In the near term, this means we’ll be able to provide you with better support, more quickly. When you have a question or need assistance, we’ll be able to resolve it sooner. It will also allow us to deliver more consistent moderation. Our volunteer moderators are a dedicated bunch, but they need our guidance and support. Mathew is already working to provide them with better tools, improved communication channels, and direct support for challenging moderation decisions.

However, it’s when we look further out that things get really exciting. We’re planning to launch a number of new community initiatives, which may include things like staff-sponsored discussion threads, member spotlights, or even community events. This dedicated focus will help us do a better job surfacing interesting and informative content from users and finding ways to share it with you.

Finally, our team is working on some big changes behind the scenes that will kick our forum experience up a notch and will allow us to do things we haven’t done in the past. I won't give anything away right now, but you can consider this an official teaser that something is coming.

Our community is at the core of what we do. DPReview’s homepage may get the headlines, but it’s in our forums where people share knowledge, forge personal connections, and develop communities based on shared interests.

By adding a Community Manager to our team, we’re making an active investment not only in the future of our forums but in DPReview as a brand, and we’re excited to have you all along for the ride.

Finally, if you have a moment, please welcome Mathew to the DPReview team in this dedicated forum thread.

Canon EOS R5 II | Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM | F1.4 | 1/800 sec | ISO 100

Processed in Capture One
Photo: Mitchell Clark

Earlier this year, Canon announced the RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM, a fast ultra-wide entry to its lineup meant to be good for shooting stills and video. There were promptly a ton of other camera and lens announcements, but we've finally had the time to shoot with one in a variety of situations to get a feel for how it performs.

As is standard with our lens samples, the images in the gallery have been processed using Capture One, though you're free to download the Raws to poke around at them for yourself.

See the sample gallery

Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.