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Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Prime/Zoom

90
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins by 1
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — Sony E · f/2.8 · 540g · $899
Tamron

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E · f/2.8 · 540g · $899

91
/ 100
From $899
Specdex verdict

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lands at 90 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 at 91. That puts Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics

Pick Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 if…

  • ✓540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
  • ✓Better than first-party G Master at $899
  • ✓Quiet VXD AF motor
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 leads on sharpness (92 vs 90).

Build

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Compared on the build sub-score

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR leads on build (94 vs 88).

Autofocus

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 leads on af (92 vs 89).

Value for money

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 more score per dollar ($899 vs $1,699).

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR 90
vs
91 Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Score breakdown

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
90
sharpness 90
af 89
build 94
value 84
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
91
sharpness 92
af 92
build 88
value 96

Specs side-by-side

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR versus Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — full spec comparison
Spec Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Mount
—
Sony E
Focal length
—
28-75 mm
Aperture
—
f/2.8
Construction
—
17 elements / 15 groups
Min focus
—
0.18 m
Filter
—
67 mm
Weight
—
540 g

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros
  • +540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
  • +Better than first-party G Master at $899
  • +Quiet VXD AF motor
Cons
  • −28mm wide-end vs 24mm of Sony GM
  • −No image stabilization
  • −No fluorine front coating

FAQ: Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Which is better, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 scores 91 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR worth the price? +

At $1,699, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in build.

Is Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 worth the price? +

At $899, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in value.

Does Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — leads on sharpness (92 vs 90). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for build, Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +

Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR — leads on build (94 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.