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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

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Sony E Mount

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO — 90mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$649

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO is 6 months newer.

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Wins

3categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 3 categories·90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO wins 2 categories
  • B90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.37 ×)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 28 cm)
  • B90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO has lower Weight (500 g vs 540 g)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Diameter (76 mm vs 81 mm)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Length (118 mm vs 120 mm)

Key specs at a glance

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G290mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Focal Length28-75 mm90 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight540 g500 g
Min Focus18 cm28 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 G290mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
1.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
1.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
7.5Good

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

  • Weather sealing

    Only 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 supports it

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 28 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    118 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.37 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    500 g vs 540 g — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Pros

  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 and 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO at major authorized retailers.

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

Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

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Full specifications

= category winner

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
90 mm
Focal length (Max)
75 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
2 LD, 2 GM
Aspherical
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Min focus distance
18 cm−10 cm less
28 cm
Max magnification
0.37 ×
1 ×2.7× more
Autofocus motor
VXD Linear Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Weight
540 g
500 g−40 g less
Length
118 mm−2 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
76 mm−5 mm less
81 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
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.