Compare lenses

Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A

The Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ and the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ if you want optical stabilisation, which helps most on bodies without it; a wider view (from 20mm equivalent); and coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too. Pick the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A if you want a brighter f/2.8 (1.0 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds; more reach (to 75mm equivalent); a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter; and a fit on more cameras (106 against 18 in this guide).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ and the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ	Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
Maker	Canon	Tamron
Focal length	20-50mm (zoom)	16-50mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	20-50mm	24-75mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/2.8brighter
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Canon RF	Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Canon RF
Stabilised	yesstabilised	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.5×	3.1×more range
Weight	420 g	not listed
Cameras it fits	18 in this guide	106 in this guidefits more cameras

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ: 20-50mm.

Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A: 16-50mm on APS-C, like 24-75mm.

Aperture

Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ: f/4 wide open.

Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A: f/2.8 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

18 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body. In all, the Canon RF 20-50mm f/4L IS USM PZ fits 18 and the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A 106.