These are the best Tamron lenses with image stabilization when you want steadier handheld shots, cleaner low-light frames, smoother video, and reliable panning performance for travel, events, portraits, sports, wildlife, and macro—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize Tamron VC (Vibration Compensation) zooms and primes with modern VXD/RXD motors for quiet AF, tripod detection and panning-friendly modes (Mode 2/3 where available), short minimum focus distance for bigger subject isolation at the same framing, and shared filter threads (often 67 mm) so one slim VND (video) and mild diffusion cover your kit; on mirrorless bodies, pair VC with IBIS/Active for maximum stability (test combos and disable one on a tripod), and favor internal focus for better gimbal balance. Full-frame mirrorless VC heroes (Sony E): 70–180mm ƒ2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (fast, stabilized, lightweight—weddings, courts, stage), 50–400mm ƒ4.5–6.3 Di III VC VXD (travel tele that goes wide enough for context and hits 0.5× at 50 mm—VC is clutch at the long end), and 150–500mm ƒ5–6.7 Di III VC VXD (wildlife/motorsports reach in a packable barrel—excellent AF + VC); these three cover tele needs from events to safaris with credible stabilization. DSLR/adapter-friendly stabilized legends (work beautifully on FTZ/EF-E, etc., when supported): SP 24–70mm ƒ2.8 G2 VC (workhorse mid-range with rock-solid VC and pro rendering), SP 70–200mm ƒ2.8 G2 VC (sideline staple—class-leading VC, gorgeous optics), SP 150–600mm ƒ5–6.3 G2 VC (safari/birding favorite with effective panning modes), and 70–300mm ƒ4–5.6 VC USD (featherweight budget tele with real stabilization). Stabilized primes for stills/video: SP 85mm ƒ1.8 VC (flattering portraits with steadier ambient handhelds), SP 45mm ƒ1.8 VC (close-focusing “normal” that smooths handheld A-roll), SP 35mm ƒ1.8 VC (environmental/doc hybrid with gentle micro-contrast), and the SP 90mm ƒ2.8 Macro 1:1 VC (classic “Tamron 90”—VC helps with available-light macro and handheld product). APS-C stabilized standouts: 17–70mm ƒ2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (mirrorless do-it-all with strong close-focus and excellent video stability) and 18–300mm ƒ3.5–6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (one-lens travel/tele with quick AF—VC shines at the long end); DSLR APS-C all-rounders: 16–300mm VC PZD Macro and 18–400mm VC (range monsters for trips and family coverage). Practical buyer tips: build a two-zoom spine that maximizes VC where it matters—70–180/2.8 G2 VC + 150–500 VC for action/wildlife, or 24–70/2.8 G2 VC + 70–200/2.8 G2 VC if you’re adapting for events—and add the SP 90 Macro VC for detail; standardize to 67 mm with step-up rings so one VND fits everything, keep an Arca plate on your tele collar for quick monopod swaps, and test your body’s IBIS + lens VC behavior (some combos prefer one system dominant); for video, favor internal-focus lenses, enable breathing compensation, and use VC + IBIS/Active for walk-and-talks while disabling stabilization on sticks. Stabilized shooting tips: set sensible shutter floors (≈1/80–1/125s for people, slower for static scenes as VC allows), use Mode 2 for pans (1/30–1/60s to taste), start around 1/2000–1/3200s for fast field sports and let ISO float, and for tele wildlife brace elbows or run a monopod—VC tames micro-shake but technique still rules; in low light, raise ISO a stop and lean on VC rather than risk motion smear, and for macro use VC to stabilize framing while you rock focus, then stack if you need depth; for video, lock a 180° shutter with a quality VND, set AF transition speed/sensitivity to taste, and avoid double-stabilization jitters on a tripod; whether you’re shooting receptions by candlelight, street portraits at dusk, side-line action, or hand-held wildlife at 500 mm, the best Tamron lenses with image stabilization combine effective VC, confident AF, and practical ergonomics—so your footage looks smoother, your stills stay sharper, and your keepers climb even when the light drops.