Tamron 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Launch MSRP
$929- Weight
- 440g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.19m
- Max mag.
- 0.18×
- Formula
- 16E / 12G
- Released
- 2025
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x XLD
- 2x LD
- 3x GM
- BBAR-G2 Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 440g
- ⌀ × length
- 74.8 × 101.8mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.7 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.19m
- Max magnification
- 0.18× (1:5.4)
Optical character
The G2 replaces the 17-28mm RXD and extends the range at both ends to 16-30mm. It keeps the old lens's small size: 440g, 101.8mm long and a 67mm filter thread, which it shares with Tamron's 28-75 G2 and 70-180 G2. Zooming is internal, so the lens is easy to balance on a gimbal.
The optics use one XLD, two LD and three GM elements, with BBAR-G2 coating against flare. A VXD linear motor replaces the old stepping motor. The lens adds a Focus Set button and a USB-C port for TAMRON Lens Utility, which can assign functions such as Astro Focus Lock. It focuses to 0.19m at 16mm, enough for exaggerated close-up perspectives.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers see it as a clear step up from the 17-28mm. Sharpness is very good in the centre from f/2.8 throughout the range, and the corners at 16mm are respectable wide open and good by f/5.6. AF is fast, quiet and accurate for video, and flare and ghosting are well controlled for the price.
The usual caveats apply. Uncorrected distortion and vignetting at 16mm are significant, so the lens relies on profile correction. It has no aperture ring or stabilisation, and the 30mm end is a little softer at the edges than the wide end. Most testers still put it among the best-value fast ultra-wide zooms for Sony E.
Owner sentiment
Owners praise the size, the shared 67mm filters and the extra millimetre at each end compared with the 17-28. Many treat it as a travel or hiking ultra-wide that also suits vlogging on a gimbal. The Focus Set button and Lens Utility customisation are popular with video shooters.
The complaints are minor. Some find the corners at 16mm soft for astro wide open, and some wish it had an aperture ring like Tamron's newer lenses. The plastic-feeling barrel, though durable, does not feel as premium as Sony's G Master zooms.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +16-30mm f/2.8 in 440g
- +67mm filters shared with the G2 trio
- +Fast, quiet VXD AF
- +Focus Set button and USB-C customisation
- +Strong value at about $929
Weaknesses
- −Heavy reliance on distortion correction at 16mm
- −Corners at 16mm soft wide open
- −No aperture ring
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.6
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.4
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.7
- Flare Resistance
- 8.1
- Build / Sealing
- 8.2
- Value / Size
- 9.1
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 16–30mm |
| Category | Ultra-Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Special elements | 1x XLD · 2x LD · 3x GM · BBAR-G2 Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | VXD Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.19m |
| Max magnification | 0.18× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 440g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 74.8 × 101.8mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Launch MSRP | $929 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a064/
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/a064/spec.html
- tamron-americas.com/product/16-30mm-f-2-8-di-iii-vxd-g2/
- alphashooters.com/tamron-16-30mm-f2-8-di-iii-vxd-g2-announced/
- cliftoncameras.co.uk/uploads/specifications/tamron-16-30mm-f28-di-iii-vxd-g2-spe
- focusnordic.com/products/photo/lenses/zoom-lenses/tamron-16-30mm-f-2.8-di-i
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD
- VS16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
- VS16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
- TamronDi III RXD
17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD
17–28mmF2.8- WT
- 420g
- FLT
- ⌀67mm
- MFD
- 0.19m
- MSRP
- $899
AFWR - SigmaContemporary
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
16–28mmF2.8- WT
- 450g
- FLT
- ⌀72mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $899
AF - SonyG Master
FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
16–35mmF2.8- WT
- 680g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.28m
- MSRP
- $2,200
AFWR
