Expert Pick #09
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2.
Compact, fast, and a third lighter than first-party 70-200s. The travel-friendly telephoto for E-mount and Z-mount hybrid shooters.

The Verdict.
8.4/ 10
Gavler Meta-Score
“The travel-friendly fast telephoto. Editorial verdict pending Curator authoring.”
The Gavler Verdict
Precision Engineering
33% Lighter Than Rivals
810g vs ~1.4kg for first-party 70-200 f/2.8s — disappears in a kit bag.
VXD Linear Motors
Voice-coil VXD AF tracks moving subjects with first-party precision.
Technical Specifications
Focal Length70-180mm
Aperturef/2.8 constant
MountSony E / Nikon Z
Weight810 g
The Scoreboard
Expert Consensus86%
Community Rating87%
Lighter than every other 70-200 f/2.8 in the class. Curator content pending.
Cast Your Vote
Do you think Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 deserves the #9 spot in Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses?
Best Price Availability.
Prices checked April 2026
Global Critique
“The lightest f/2.8 telephoto worth shooting.”
DPReview
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