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Tamron

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Nikon Z Mount

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 — 70–180mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Oct 2024

vs

Tamron

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Sony E Mount

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD — 70–180mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,199

Launch price

Released May 2020

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is 4.4 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Video & HybridPortrait

Wins

3categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 wins 3 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD wins 2 categories
  • A70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • A70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.34 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • A70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (34 cm vs 38 cm)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Weight (815 g vs 855 g)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 83 mm)

Key specs at a glance

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G270-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length70-180 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountNikon ZSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight855 g815 g
Min Focus34 cm38 cm
Filter Size67 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

83 × 167 mm

855 g (1.88 lb / 30.16 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

81 × 164 mm

815 g (1.80 lb / 28.75 oz)

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is 3mm longer and 2mm wider than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is 40 g heavier than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.

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 case70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G270-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

  • Special elements

    Adds GM Aspherical, LD, XLD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 supports it

  • Min focus distance

    34 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.34 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    815 g vs 855 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 83 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    164 mm vs 167 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

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Pros

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

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E 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 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
180 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
19
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
GM Aspherical, LD, XLD
Aspherical
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Min focus distance
34 cm−4 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.34 ×+36%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
VXD linear motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
855 g
815 g−40 g less
Length
167 mm
164 mm−3 mm less
Diameter
83 mm
81 mm−2 mm less
Filter thread size
67 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Lens mount
Nikon Z
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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