Canon
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
Canon's versatile super-telephoto zoom reaching 500mm — ideal for wildlife, sports, and safari without changing lenses.
$2,699
Launch priceReleased Jul 2020
Tamron
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Sony E Mount
An incredibly popular third-party zoom updated with vastly improved sharpness and autofocus.
$899
Launch priceReleased Aug 2021
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 1.1 years newer.
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Wins
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Wins
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
TL;DR — Key differences
- ARF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 90 cm)
- B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 1370 g)
- B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/7.1)
- B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Length (118 mm vs 208 mm)
Key specs at a glance
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 3 UD, 3 Aspherical
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Optical stabilization
Only RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM supports it
- ✓
Control ring
Only RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM supports it
Reasons to choose the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 2 LD, 2 GM
- ✓
Min focus distance
18 cm vs 90 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
540 g vs 1370 g — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8 vs f/7.1 — lower is better
- ✓
Custom function button
Only 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 supports it
- ✓
Length
118 mm vs 208 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
76 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Weather sealing
Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Incredible 100-500mm reach in a single lens
- ✓5.5-stop optical image stabilization
- ✓Compatible with RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
- ✓Relatively compact for a 500mm-capable zoom
Cons
- –Variable f/4.5-7.1 aperture gets slow at tele end
- –Heavy at full extension (1370g)
- –Expensive for a variable-aperture zoom
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Pros
- ✓Superb value for money compared to first-party options
- ✓Excellent sharpness throughout the range, even at f/2.8
- ✓Very lightweight and compact (only 540g)
- ✓Fast VXD linear motor focus drive
- ✓Customizable lens functions via Tamron Lens Utility software
Cons
- –Starts at 28mm instead of the wider 24mm standard
- –Slightly weaker corner sharpness at 75mm wide open
- –Weather sealing is basic compared to Sony GM lenses
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM and 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.