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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

Viltrox

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z — 28–75mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$699

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z is 1.7 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Sports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 3 categories·AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z wins 2 categories
  • 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 higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.26 ×)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 550 g)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has lower Diameter (75 mm vs 76 mm)
  • BAF 28-75mm F2.8 Z has lower Length (117 mm vs 118 mm)

Key specs at a glance

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Focal Length28-75 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ENikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight540 g550 g
Min Focus18 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm67 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 28-75mm F2.8 Z

75 × 117 mm

550 g (1.21 lb / 19.40 oz)

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 1mm longer and 1mm wider than AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z.

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 10 g lighter than AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z.

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 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
1.0Limited
Travel
3.5Limited
2.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
0.0Limited
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 38 cm — lower is better

  • 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

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.26 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    540 g vs 550 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 3 ED, 1 HR

  • Diameter

    75 mm vs 76 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    117 mm vs 118 mm — 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

AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Nikon Z 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 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 and AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
75 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
15
Groups
15
12
Special elements
2 LD, 2 GM
3 Aspherical, 3 ED, 1 HR
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Min focus distance
18 cm−20 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.37 ×+42%
0.26 ×
Autofocus motor
VXD Linear Motor
STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Weight
540 g−10 g less
550 g
Length
118 mm
117 mm−1 mm less
Diameter
76 mm
75 mm−1 mm less
Filter thread size
67 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 28-75mm F2.8 Z
Lens mount
Sony E
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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