The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is faster, smaller, cheaper than the Sony 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3
(Image credit: Tamron)
As per all the leaks, Tamron has officially announced its new lens: the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD for Sony E-mount cameras.
The manufacturer isn't being bashful in talking up the lens, describing it as an "epoch-making all-in-one zoom" and proclaiming that "the amazingly compact size, light weight and reasonable price immediately became wildly popular with photographers around the world."
The bragging isn't without warrant, as the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD really does have plenty to shout about – and that f/2.8 aperture at the wide end is one of the first things that comes to mind, which it maintains up to 50mm when f/3.5 kicks in, becoming f/4.5 at 100mm and maxing out at f/5.6 when it hits 200mm.
Also noteworthy is the lens' weather sealing, sleek 117mm length and slight 575g weight, making it a practical and versatile all-purpose and everyday optic – and one that compares favorably, at least on paper, with the existing Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS.
Tamron's new contender boasts 18 elements in 14 groups, which includes an assortment of specialist glass including low dispersion, extra low dispersion, hybrid aspherical and glass molded aspherical elements, to control aberrations while delivering high resolving ability.
It also offers impressive close-up shooting performance, able to focus at 0.19m at the wide end (with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1), and 0.8m at the telephoto end (with a 1:3.8 ratio).
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The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is set to be available on 25 June (though the company notes that may be delayed, due to COVID-19 issues) at a price of $729 / £799.99 (approx AU$1,150).
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
