Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD vs Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Both are Sony E mount zooms for everyday and travel — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.

Last verified 2026-09-01 · Sony E mount · prices change — check the retailer

Spec	Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD	Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal length	17-70mm	16-50mm
Max aperture	f/2.8	f/3.5-5.6
Type	zoom	zoom
Coverage	APS-C	APS-C
Mount	Sony E	Sony E

Which should you buy?

the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD opens wider (f/2.8) — brighter in low light and more background blur
the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD covers 17-70mm and the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS covers 16-50mm — pick the range that matches what you shoot
the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is first-party (Sony) for guaranteed full autofocus and in-camera corrections; the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is third-party — usually the value pick

Where to buy

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony E APS-C Mirrorless Cameras Black

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXDSee price on Amazon

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Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Alpha E-Mount Retractable Zoom Lens (Bulk Packaging)

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSSee price on Amazon Amazon has no new-stock listing for this one right now — this button runs an Amazon search for it rather than opening a product page.

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FAQ

What's the difference between the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD and the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS?
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is 17-70mm f/2.8 zoom, APS-C; the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, APS-C. Both fit the Sony E mount.

Which is better in low light, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD or the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS?
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD — its f/2.8 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/3.5-5.6 of the other.

Do the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD and Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C).

Citing these specs? Go ahead — manufacturer data, last verified 2026-09-01. Copy a ready-made reference:

More Sony E comparisons: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS vs Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 PRO · Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 · Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM · Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 vs Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS · all Sony E lenses · all comparisons

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXDAffiliate linkSee price on Amazon