Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Review: Is It Really That Good?

This lens just came onto the market and it was a bit of a surprise since we didn’t really expect Tamron to come out with another lens so soon after their 70-180mm that we just reviewed. This is the fastest superzoom lens on the market, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 for the Sony E-mount.

The design is the same as the other Tamron zoom and prime lenses for the Sony E-mount on the market; there’s no discernable difference in looks, feel or build quality. The lens has a moisture-resistant construction so you can take this lens out into a drizzle and not have to worry about it.

It’s a telescopic zoom, which we’re not quite keen on, but there’s a zoom lock which keeps it in place when not in use. Internal zooms do add weight to a lens, however, and at 575 grams, this is a very light superzoom lens. The zoom ring is also super smooth when in operation.

Tamron keeps their filter diameter consistent across all their lenses at 67mm, meaning photographers who use multiple Tamron lenses will only require one filter as it can be used for any lens.

There are 18 elements, 14 groups, a bunch of aspherical elements and different coatings on the glass. Clearly, Tamron is putting more into R&D for what goes into a lens than just on how it looks on the outside. With 7 rounded diaphragm blades, bokeh circles are nice and rounded.

There’s close focusing distance on this, so photographers will be able to get really up close to their subject. As mentioned, this is the fastest superzoom lens, and it even offers a maximum aperture of f/32 when zoomed out to 200mm. Apertures of f/32 are more commonly seen on medium-format, but it’s there if ever needed.

It’s an easy lens to use, autofocusing is quick and eye-tracking works really well. The video quality is great as well with minimal focus breathing, and there’s a stepping motor inside so the autofocus motor won’t be heard.

Photos taken with this lens are sharp, with just a bit of sharpness falloff around the edges. This lens isn’t a macro lens, but thanks to the close focusing distance, it’s almost a pseudo-macro lens.

In our opinion, this lens has hit it out of the park. At this price point, you’ll be really impressed with what Tamron is doing with their lenses.

More information about the Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (S$1,083) is available on Tamron’s website.