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Tamron

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Sony E Mount

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD — 28–200mm f/2.8-5.6 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$729

Launch price

Released Jun 2020

vs

Tamron

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Sony E Mount

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

$1,199

Launch price

Released May 2020

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

3categories

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

PortraitTravel

Wins

1categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD wins 3 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD wins 1 categories
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
  • A28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has lower Weight (575 g vs 815 g)
  • A28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has lower Length (131 mm vs 164 mm)
  • A28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 81 mm)

Key specs at a glance

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length28-200 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8-5.6f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight575 g815 g
Min Focus38 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
5.0Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
6.5Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
2.0Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

  • Weight

    575 g vs 815 g — lower is better

  • Length

    131 mm vs 164 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

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

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Control ring

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

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

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.

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • 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 Sony E 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 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/2.8+2 stops wider
Elements
23
23
Groups
17
17
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
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
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
575 g−240 g less
815 g
Length
131 mm−33 mm less
164 mm
Diameter
70 mm−11 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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