Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens for Sony Review

The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 is a lens that makes a huge promise: a massive zoom range in a single, relatively compact package. And it mostly delivers. Its versatility score sits in the 99th percentile, which is just a fancy way of saying it can handle almost any shot you throw at it, from wide landscapes at 28mm to tight portraits at 200mm. That's its main event. The constant f/2.8 aperture at the wide end is a nice touch, landing it right in the middle of the pack for aperture performance. It's a lens built for the photographer who wants to travel light without sacrificing focal length options.

Where this lens truly shines is in its optical performance, ranking in the 95th percentile. That means sharpness and clarity are excellent across most of its range, especially for a superzoom. You're getting 19 elements in 14 groups working hard to keep things clean. But the trade-offs are clear in the numbers. Autofocus is just okay, sitting at the 48th percentile, so it's not the fastest for tracking fast action. There's no stabilization (40th percentile), so you'll rely on your camera body's IBIS. And forget about close-up work—its macro capability is in the dismal 15th percentile. It's a lens of clear strengths and clear compromises.

Here's where it gets interesting. This lens isn't cheap, but its value is in the unique package. You're paying for that incredible zoom range in one lens. Prices swing from $650 to $799 depending on the vendor, so shopping around can save you a solid $149. At the $650 end, it's a much easier pill to swallow. You're essentially buying three or four prime lenses' worth of focal length in one body, which justifies the cost for the right shooter.

Let's talk competitors. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 will destroy this Tamron in low light and bokeh for half the price, but you give up all zoom flexibility. The Sony 15mm f/1.4 G is a spectacular wide-angle prime, but again, it's just one focal length. The Tamron's real magic is that it replaces a bag of primes or a heavier 24-70mm f/2.8 plus 70-200mm f/2.8 combo. You trade some speed, build quality, and stabilization for incredible convenience. If you need one lens to do almost everything while walking around, the Tamron has no direct rival. If you need specialist performance in low light, autofocus, or close-ups, look at those primes.

So, who is this for? If you're a travel, landscape, or casual event photographer who hates changing lenses and values a light kit, this Tamron is a data-backed home run. Its 99th percentile versatility and 95th percentile optics are the real deal. But if your work demands lightning-fast autofocus, silky background blur, or you shoot a lot of video handheld, the compromises in AF, bokeh, and stabilization are too significant. For the right person, it's the only lens they'll need on their camera 90% of the time.