Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Tamron

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E Mount

An incredibly popular third-party zoom updated with vastly improved sharpness and autofocus.

$899

Launch price

Released Aug 2021

vs

Tamron

50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Sony E Mount

50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD — 50–400mm f/4.5-6.3 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Sep 2022

50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is 1.2 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

7categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

Wins

1categories

50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

TL;DR — Key differences

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 4 categories·50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD wins 1 categories
  • B50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 1155 g)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 38 cm)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Length (118 mm vs 212 mm)

Key specs at a glance

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G250-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Focal Length28-75 mm50-400 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4.5-6.3
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight540 g1155 g
Min Focus18 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use case28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G250-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Portrait
4.5Fair
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
5.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
9.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 LD, 2 GM

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Weight

    540 g vs 1155 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    118 mm vs 212 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD supports it

  • Control ring

    Only 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros

  • Superb value for money compared to first-party options
  • Excellent sharpness throughout the range, even at f/2.8
  • Very lightweight and compact (only 540g)
  • Fast VXD linear motor focus drive
  • Customizable lens functions via Tamron Lens Utility software

Cons

  • Starts at 28mm instead of the wider 24mm standard
  • Slightly weaker corner sharpness at 75mm wide open
  • Weather sealing is basic compared to Sony GM lenses

50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Pros

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

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 and 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC 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

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
75 mm
400 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1.4 stops wider
f/4.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
17
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
2 LD, 2 GM
Aspherical
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Min focus distance
18 cm−20 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.37 ×+48%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
VXD Linear Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Weight
540 g−615 g less
1155 g
Length
118 mm−94 mm less
212 mm
Diameter
76 mm−5 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC 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.