Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Tamron

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Sony E Mount

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD — 17–28mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released Jun 2019

vs

Tamron

17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Sony E Mount

17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD — 17–70mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released Jan 2021

17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is 1.6 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

2categories

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Video & HybridSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD wins 2 categories·17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD wins 2 categories
  • B17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • B17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 86 mm)
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Weight (420 g vs 525 g)
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Length (109 mm vs 124 mm)

Key specs at a glance

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Focal Length17-28 mm17-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameAPS-C
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight420 g525 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm62 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
6.0Good
Travel
5.0Fair
6.5Good
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

  • Weight

    420 g vs 525 g — lower is better

  • Length

    109 mm vs 124 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD supports it

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 86 mm — lower is better

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.

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

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 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD and 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Focal length (Min)
17 mm
17 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
16
20
Groups
12
15
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
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
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Weight
420 g−105 g less
525 g
Length
109 mm−15 mm less
124 mm
Diameter
86 mm
65 mm−21 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
APS-C

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