Tamron Unveils 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 Lens for Sony E and Nikon Z Mounts
Japanese company Tamron has unveiled the 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, a wide-angle zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, compatible with Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. This release marks the completion of Tamron’s second-generation trio of f/2.8 zooms—referred to as the “Daisangen”—which also includes the 28-75mm and 70-180mm f/2.8 G2 lenses. The term “Daisangen,” originally from mahjong, is used in the Japanese photography industry to refer to a complete set of wide, standard and telephoto zoom lenses with constant f/2.8 apertures.
The new 16-30mm G2 is positioned as a successor to the 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD launched in 2019. It expands the zoom range while maintaining a compact profile and introduces improvements to autofocus performance and ergonomics. It features Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor, replacing the stepper motor used in the previous version, resulting in faster and more precise autofocus performance suitable for both photography and video.
Optically, the lens construction consists of 16 elements arranged in 12 groups, including one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), two LD (Low Dispersion), and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) elements, aimed at reducing chromatic and other aberrations. It uses a nine-blade aperture that maintains a nearly circular shape up to two stops down from its maximum aperture. The lens covers an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/16.
The minimum focusing distance is 0.19 meters at the wide end and 0.3 meters at the long end, allowing for a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.4. Although such close focusing capability supports creative wide-angle compositions and near-macro work, the lens abilities are little diminished by the lack of optical image stabilization.
Physically, the lens weighs approximately 440 grams in the Sony E-mount version and 450 grams for Nikon Z, measuring 102 mm in length and 75 mm in diameter. The design includes moisture-resistant construction and a fluorine coating on the front element to resist water and oil. It uses a 67 mm front filter thread, consistent with other lenses in Tamron’s G2 zoom series, allowing shared use of filters.
The lens also features an internal zoom mechanism, meaning the length of the lens remains constant during zooming, which contributes to a stable center of gravity, an advantageous feature for gimbal use, handheld video work or vlogging setups. A single customizable function button is available, and a USB-C port enables connection to Tamron’s Lens Utility software, which allows for firmware updates and function adjustments directly through the lens.
Here are some sample pictures, courtesy of Tamron:
The lens will retail for $929 in the United States. The Sony E-mount version is scheduled for release on July 31, 2025, followed by the Nikon Z version on August 22, 2025.
