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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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z — 35mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z is 3.1 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

Wins

3categories

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z wins 2 categories
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.1 ×)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 35 cm)
  • A28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 920 g)

Key specs at a glance

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal Length28-75 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountSony ENikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight540 g920 g
Min Focus18 cm35 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

82 × 109 mm

920 g (2.03 lb / 32.45 oz)

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 9mm longer and 6mm narrower than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 380 g lighter than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.0Good
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
0.0Limited

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

  • Custom function button

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

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 35 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    540 g vs 920 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.1 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 82 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Control ring

    Only AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z supports it

  • Length

    109 mm vs 118 mm — 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z at major authorized retailers.

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

Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

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Full specifications

= category winner

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
75 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
17
13
Groups
15
10
Special elements
2 LD, 2 GM
2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Min focus distance
18 cm−17 cm less
35 cm
Max magnification
0.37 ×3.7× more
0.1 ×
Autofocus motor
VXD Linear Motor
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Weight
540 g−380 g less
920 g
Length
118 mm
109 mm−9 mm less
Diameter
76 mm−6 mm less
82 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB 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.