Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Tamron

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC

Sony E Mount

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC — 18–300mm f/3.5-6.3 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$699

Launch price

Released Oct 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 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

3categories

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

2categories

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

Video & HybridPortrait

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC wins 3 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 wins 2 categories
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • A18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC has lower Weight (620 g vs 855 g)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/3.5)
  • A18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC has lower Diameter (65 mm vs 81 mm)
  • A18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC has lower Length (137 mm vs 170 mm)

Key specs at a glance

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Focal Length18-300 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/3.5-6.3f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight620 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 case18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Portrait
5.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
9.0Excellent
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
6.5Good
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC

  • Weight

    620 g vs 855 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    137 mm vs 170 mm — lower is better

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

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/3.5 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 38 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.25 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

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 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC

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

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

18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
18 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
300 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/3.5
f/2.8+0.6 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/6.3
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
Elements
23
23
Groups
17
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC
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
18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
Weight
620 g−235 g less
855 g
Length
137 mm−33 mm less
170 mm
Diameter
65 mm−16 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
62 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC
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.