Review
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Review: The New Portrait King for Sony
A lighter, sharper, faster-focusing 50mm GM that finally gives Sony shooters the no-compromise nifty-fifty they've been waiting for.
4.8
Head to head
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.
Spec snapshot
| Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $1199 | $899 |
| Our rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Category | camera-lenses | camera-lenses |
| Pros | 3 | 3 |
| Cons | 2 | 2 |
The case for each
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
4.7
Pros
- +Adds OIS
- +Faster AF than the original
- +Weather-sealed
Cons
- −Still not pocketable
- −Premium price for APS-C
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
4.6
Pros
- +Excellent sharpness
- +Half the weight of the GM equivalent
- +Great value
Cons
- −28mm wide end (not 24)
- −Plastic build
Winner by use case
Vlogging & videoFujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useTamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
BeginnersTie
Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.
Common questions
Is the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II better than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
It depends on what you shoot. Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 scores 4.6/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.
Which is cheaper, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II or the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II sells around $1199, and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 around $899. The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is the cheaper of the two.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.
Should I upgrade from the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.
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