Tamron 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E-mount — Full Review
Tamron 16-30mm F/2.8 G2 for Sony E-mount: lightweight, ultra-wide zoom offering sharp optics, fast AF, compact design, ideal for travel & landscapes.
Key Features:
16–30 mm ultra-wide zoom range
Lightweight, compact body—excellent for travel and video
Exceptional optical performance: high resolution and pleasing bokeh
Fast, quiet autofocus for stills and video
Close-up friendly—great for tabletop and indoor work
Tamron Lens Utility™ support via USB-C for customisation
Ergonomic design with improved grip
Standardised 67 mm filter thread across G2 lenses
Part of Tamron’s G2 Trinity lineup
Overview
I borrowed the new 16-30mm wide-angle lens by Tamron for a three‑week road trip to really put it through its paces. Truthfully? It stayed glued to my camera pretty much the entire time. That says something: it wasn’t just carried; it was used, relied on, sunsets, outback charm, this lens went the distance, literally and figuratively…
Technical Specifications (from Tamron AUS Website)
Lens Name / Model: Tamron 16‑30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A064)
Mount: Sony E‑mount (also available in Nikon Z)
Focal Length: 16–30 mm (~107°.2’ - 713°.5’)
Maximum Aperture: Constant f/2.8 throughout
Optical Design: 16 elements in 12 groups
Minimum Focus Distance / Magnification: ~0.19 m (7.5") at 16 mm, ~0.3 m (11.8”) at 30 mm, max magnification 1:5.4 (WIDE) 1:7 (TELE)
Autofocus: VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor—fast, precise, and quiet
Physical Dimensions: Approx. 101.8 mm length, 74.8 mm diameter; weight ~440 g (≈15.5 oz)
Filter Thread Size: 67 mm (shared across Tamron G2 “trinity”)
Aperture Blades: 9 (circular diaphragm)
Build & Weather Sealing: Moisture-resistant with fluorine-coated front element; internal zoom (non‑extending) design; includes petal lens hood
Controls & Features: Focus hold button, USB‑C port supporting Tamron Lens Utility (for firmware and function customisation, including astro focus lock)
Tamron A064 on Sony camera
Pros & Highlights
Features - Why It Stands Out
Compact & lightweight - At ~440 g, it’s slightly heavier but not cumbersome compared to the 17–28mm predecessor; ideal for travel and handheld shooting. Lighter than my Sony 16-35mm lens.
Great zoom range - Expands to 16 mm ultra-wide and reaches 30 mm
Fast, silent autofocus VXD motor provides instant, quiet focusing—great for both stills and video, especially with high-res bodies like the Sony a7RV
Excellent image quality, Sharp across the frame even wide open; controlled distortion, minimal flare; even fabulous starbursts at f/16.
Full-time usability Internal zoom means no length changes, perfect for gimbals and avoiding zoom creep
Close-focusing ability with ~0.19 m working distance and 1:5 macro capability, superb for creative close-up wide frames
Unified accessories share a 67 mm filter size with other G2 lenses, reducing gear load
Customisation & astro support USB-C + Lens Utility lets you tweak back-button AF and update; astro focus lock (Astro FC-L) enhances long-night work
Cons & Considerations
No built-in stabilisation (VC): Relies on the camera’s IBIS. Standard for this class, but worth noting
Complex distortion profile: Ultra-wide curves require correction, especially at 16 mm
Corner sharpness at 30 mm: Slight fall-off in sharpness at the longer end when shooting wide open
No AF/MF switch: You’ll need to do this through the camera body interface
Price: Around USD 929 or ~AU$1,799 - good value, but still a budget to consider
Sample Images taken with Sony A7RIII and Sony A7RV
Your Real-World Experience
Went the distance: Even though I spent three weeks on the road, the lens barely left my camera—that’s a testament to its reliability, flexibility, and overall strong performance.
Versatile companion: From wide landscapes to tighter compositions, it handled changing scenarios without the need for frequent lens swaps.
Ergonomics & handling: Compactness and smooth zoom made long shooting sessions less fatiguing; internal zoom helped when mounted on a rig or gripping for frames.
Image confidence: Crisp edges, fast focus, and low-light (F/2.8) performance meant you could shoot in varied conditions with trust.
Final Verdict
The Tamron 16–30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 strikes an impressive balance between performance, portability, and flexibility. For those on the move—landscape shooters, travel vloggers, urban explorers, astrophotographers—it’s a lens that encourages you to keep it on the camera. My experience is exactly what Tamron envisioned: a reliable, ultra-wide workhorse that stays in the bag because there's simply no reason to put it away..
Quick Summary Table
Spec / Feature Details
Model Tamron 16–30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (A064)
Weight ~440 g (15.5 oz)
Size ≈ 101.8 mm length × 74.8 mm diameter
Elements 16 in 12 groups; XLD, LD, GM, BBAR-G2 coating
Aperture Constant f/2.8FocusVXD linear motor
MFD & Magnification ~0.19 m, ~0.18–0.19×
Filter Thread 67 mm
Special Features: Internal zoom, weather sealing, USB-C utility, focus button
Price ~US$929 / AU$1,799
