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Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM vs Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

The Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM and the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM if you want more reach (to 375mm equivalent); the flexibility of a zoom; and a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter. Pick the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 if you want a wider view (from 70mm equivalent); coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too; and a fit on more cameras (59 against 20 in this guide).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM and the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM	Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2
Maker	Pentax	Tamron
Focal length	60-250mm (zoom)	70-300mm (macro)
Full-frame equivalent	90-375mm on APS-C	70-300mm
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/4-5.6
Made for	APS-C	Full frame
Mounts	Pentax K	Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	4.2×	4.3×
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	59 in this guidefits more cameras

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM: 60-250mm on APS-C, like 90-375mm.

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2: 70-300mm.

Aperture

Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM: f/4 wide open.

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2: f/4 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

20 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body. In all, the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM fits 20 and the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 59.