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Tamron

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

Sony E Mount

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD — 11–20mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released May 2021

vs

Tamron

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Sony E Mount

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 — 70–180mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Oct 2024

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is 3.4 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

1categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Video & HybridPortrait

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD wins 3 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 wins 1 categories
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • A11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD has lower Weight (335 g vs 855 g)
  • A11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD has lower Length (97 mm vs 170 mm)
  • A11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Focal Length11-20 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight335 g855 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size62 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Landscape
8.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

  • Weight

    335 g vs 855 g — lower is better

  • Length

    97 mm vs 170 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 supports it

  • Control ring

    Only 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 supports it

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

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Full specifications

= category winner

11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
11 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
20 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
16
23
Groups
12
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Min focus distance
38 cm
38 cm
Max magnification
0.25 ×
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Weight
335 g−520 g less
855 g
Length
97 mm−73 mm less
170 mm
Diameter
65 mm−16 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.