Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

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

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Nikon Z Mount

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

$1,199

Launch price

Released Sep 2023

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD is 4.3 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

4categories

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

1categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD wins 4 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD wins 1 categories
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Min focus distance (19 cm vs 38 cm)
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Weight (420 g vs 830 g)
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Length (99 mm vs 166 mm)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.19 ×)
  • A17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Diameter (73 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length17-28 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ENikon Z
CoverageFull-FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight420 g830 g
Min Focus19 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD shown to scale

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

73 × 99 mm

420 g (0.93 lb / 14.82 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

81 × 166 mm

830 g (1.83 lb / 29.28 oz)

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD is 67mm shorter and 8mm narrower than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD is 410 g lighter than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Min focus distance

    19 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    420 g vs 830 g — lower is better

  • Length

    99 mm vs 166 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    73 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.19 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

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

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Pros

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

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • 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 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

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
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
17 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
13
23
Groups
11
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Min focus distance
19 cm−19 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.19 ×
0.25 ×+32%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
420 g−410 g less
830 g
Length
99 mm−67 mm less
166 mm
Diameter
73 mm−8 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Lens mount
Sony E
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full-Frame
Full Frame

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