Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD Review: A Tiny f/2.8 Zoom, Now Also for Nikon Z
The Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD is one of the smallest f/2.8 zooms for full frame. Tamron announced it for Sony E on September 29, 2022 at $699, and it weighs 365 grams. On October 8, 2026, Tamron announced a Nikon Z version at $729, on sale from October 22. It’s Tamron’s 13th Z-mount lens.
The range is unusual. It starts wider than a 24-70mm and stops at 40mm, which makes it a wide-to-normal zoom for travel, street, interiors and vlogging.
20mm on full frame is the right width for a tall landmark seen from a busy square: the tower, the gables beside it and the people crossing in front.
Photo: Pixel Effects
Dustin Abbott’s definitive review covers the Sony version in depth.
Video review: Dustin Abbott
Design
The optical formula is 12 elements in 11 groups, with four LD, two GM and one hybrid aspherical element, plus Tamron’s BBAR-G2 coating. The aperture has nine blades, and the filter thread is 67mm, shared with most Tamron E-mount zooms. A VXD linear motor drives the focus.
Close focus is 17cm at 20mm, for 1:3.8 magnification. The lens extends slightly toward 20mm. There are no switches or buttons, but a USB-C port lets you customize it through Tamron’s Lens Utility. It’s moisture resistant with a fluorine front coating. There’s no stabilization. The Z version is a touch heavier at 380 grams.
How it performs
Abbott, Photography Blog and PetaPixel found it sharp across the range, and PetaPixel and Abbott praised the fast, quiet autofocus. Focus breathing is low and close-up ability is useful. Every review liked the size and value.
The corners at 20mm are soft on full frame, as Camera Labs and PetaPixel found. Vignetting and distortion are noticeable before correction. Controls are basic, and it isn’t parfocal. Several reviews pointed out that 20mm isn’t truly ultra-wide and 40mm is short for portraits.
Who should buy it
Sony and now Nikon full-frame owners who want a small, bright zoom for travel and everyday shooting. On the Sony A7C II or Nikon Zf it keeps the camera compact.
If you need more reach, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is the obvious partner. For wider, the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 costs about $800 and weighs 420 grams. The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G suits gimbal video better. See also our Sigma and Tamron holy trinity.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.