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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
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Viltrox

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Sony E Mount

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE is 3.1 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 3 categories·AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE wins 2 categories
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 72 cm)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 1235 g)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.25 ×)

Key specs at a glance

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal Length28-75 mm135 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight540 g1235 g
Min Focus18 cm72 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

76 × 118 mm

540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE shown to scale

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

93 × 146 mm

1235 g (2.72 lb / 43.56 oz)

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 28mm shorter and 17mm narrower than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE.

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 695 g lighter than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE.

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 case28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
4.5Fair
2.0Limited

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

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 72 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    540 g vs 1235 g — lower is better

  • Custom function button

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

  • Length

    118 mm vs 145.7 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR

  • Control ring

    Only AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • 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 AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE at major authorized retailers.

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

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

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Full specifications

= category winner

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
135 mm
Focal length (Max)
75 mm
135 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Elements
17
14
Groups
15
9
Special elements
2 LD, 2 GM
2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Min focus distance
18 cm−54 cm less
72 cm
Max magnification
0.37 ×+48%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
VXD Linear Motor
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Weight
540 g−695 g less
1235 g
Length
118 mm−28 mm less
145.7 mm
Diameter
76 mm−17 mm less
93 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full-Frame

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