5 Alternatives to the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 (Including Some Better Fits for Specific Shooters)

If you’re comparing the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 against other lenses, the most important thing to remember is that it sits in a very specific sweet spot: it’s a full-frame mirrorless standard zoom for Sony E-mount, designed to be versatile enough for travel, events, portraits, and everyday shooting without the size and cost of Sony’s own G Master zooms. At £620, it’s not cheap, but it’s usually far more affordable than premium alternatives and much more flexible than a single-focal-length prime.

1) Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 for Sony Mirrorless Full Frame E Mount (Tamron 6 Year Limited USA Warranty) — £812.76

This is the closest direct alternative, and in practical terms it’s almost the same lens family as the main product. The big difference here is price: at £812.76, it’s about £192.76 more expensive than the listed Tamron G2 at £620. That makes it a poor value if you’re simply trying to get the same focal range and aperture for less money. The fact that it’s also described with a US warranty is worth noting for UK buyers, because warranty support may be less convenient than buying a UK-stocked version.

Feature-wise, this is still a 28-75mm f/2.8 standard zoom for Sony full-frame mirrorless, so the real-world shooting experience should be broadly similar: useful subject separation at f/2.8, a flexible range for portraits and events, and a lens that can do a bit of everything. Build quality should also be in the same general class as the original Tamron, meaning a lightweight but solid-feeling zoom rather than a heavy pro-grade tank.

Verdict: choose this only if the UK-listed G2 is unavailable and you specifically need this exact focal range and lens style right now. For most buyers, the original £620 version is the smarter buy because it’s cheaper and likely easier to support locally.

2) Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens — £219.00

This is not a direct substitute in focal range, but it is a very sensible alternative if you’re comparing the Tamron because you’re wondering whether you actually need a zoom at all. At £219, it’s £401 cheaper than the Tamron, which is a huge saving. In exchange, you lose the flexibility of a 28-75mm zoom and get a fixed 50mm focal length on Canon EOS R full-frame cameras.

The practical impact is significant: 50mm is excellent for portraits, street shooting, indoor available-light work, and general everyday photography, but you’ll need to “zoom with your feet.” The f/1.8 aperture is a full stop and a bit faster than f/2.8, so it gives you better low-light performance and more background blur. On Canon mirrorless bodies, this is a compact, lightweight lens that won’t make your camera feel front-heavy, which is ideal for travel or casual shooting.

Build quality is simpler than the Tamron. The RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is designed as an affordable entry-level prime, so you don’t get the weather-sealed, more complex zoom construction of the Tamron. But that simplicity is part of the appeal: fewer moving parts, smaller size, and a lower price.

Verdict: choose this if you shoot Canon EOS R and want a cheap, sharp, lightweight lens for portraits, low light, and everyday use. It’s a better choice than the Tamron only if you don’t need zoom flexibility.

3) Sigma 340101 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Lens for Canon — £783.00

At £783, this Sigma is £163 more expensive than the Tamron, so it’s clearly positioned as a more specialised lens rather than a budget alternative. The key difference is that this is a 35mm f/1.4 prime, not a standard zoom. That means you trade range for image quality characteristics and low-light performance. A 35mm prime is a classic choice for documentary, street, environmental portraits, and indoor shooting where you want a natural field of view with strong subject separation.

The f/1.4 aperture is the headline feature. Compared with the Tamron’s f/2.8, it lets in two stops more light, which can be very useful for dim interiors, evening work, and achieving a much creamier background blur. In practical terms, that means cleaner ISO performance and more separation between your subject and background. On the other hand, you lose the ability to quickly reframe from wide-ish to short telephoto without changing lenses.

Build quality is typically more substantial than an affordable zoom. Sigma’s 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM lenses are usually well made, with a more premium feel and a larger front element due to the fast aperture. That said, the older HSM design is not the same as Sigma’s newer mirrorless-native lenses, so autofocus and overall handling may not feel as modern as the Tamron G2 on Sony E-mount.

Verdict: choose this if you want a brighter, more creative prime lens for Canon and you’re happy to work around a fixed focal length. It makes more sense for portraits, low light, and subject isolation than the Tamron, but it is far less versatile.

4) Canon EF 100 2.8L MACRO IS U — £875.26

This is the most specialist option in the list and the least comparable to the Tamron in day-to-day use. At £875.26, it’s £255.26 more expensive than the Tamron, and it’s not a standard zoom at all: it’s a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. That means it’s built for close-up work, product photography, flowers, insects, and detailed portrait work, rather than general-purpose shooting.

The practical difference is huge. Where the Tamron gives you a flexible 28-75mm range, this Canon gives you a fixed telephoto perspective and true macro capability. If you shoot small subjects, the ability to focus extremely close and reproduce fine detail matters far more than zoom range. The f/2.8 aperture is useful, but the real value is the 1:1 macro performance and image stabilisation, which help you keep detail sharp when working handheld at close distances.

Build quality is in a different league from a basic prime or consumer zoom. Canon’s L-series macro lenses are designed for durability, optical performance, and consistent results. They tend to feel more robust and more purpose-built than general-purpose zooms. The downside is obvious: for everyday photography, this lens is overkill and too specialised.

Verdict: choose this if your real need is macro, product, or detail photography on Canon EF-compatible systems. It is not a replacement for the Tamron’s all-round versatility, but it is the better tool for close-up work.

5) Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Lens for Nikon — £799.00

At £799, this Nikon-mount Sigma is £179 more expensive than the Tamron. Like the Canon Sigma 35mm f/1.4, this is a prime lens rather than a zoom, so the same general trade-off applies: you lose flexibility but gain a faster aperture and a more deliberate shooting style. A 35mm prime is especially useful for reportage, street photography, environmental portraits, and video work where you want a natural perspective without the bulk of a zoom.

The f/1.4 aperture is the major practical advantage over the Tamron’s f/2.8. In real shooting, that means better low-light performance and more control over depth of field. If you often shoot indoors or at night, or if you want your subject to stand out against a soft background, this lens gives you a look the Tamron simply can’t match. The downside is that you’re locked into one focal length, so composition has to come from movement and framing rather than zooming.

Build quality is generally strong, with a substantial feel that suits a fast prime. Compared with the Tamron G2, this Sigma is a more focused tool and likely feels more premium in use, but it’s also less convenient for travel or events where one lens needs to cover multiple situations. Also, because it’s for Nikon rather than Sony, it’s only relevant if your camera system matches the mount.

Verdict: choose this if you shoot Nikon and want a fast 35mm prime for creative, low-light, or documentary work. It’s a better choice than the Tamron only if you value aperture and image character over zoom convenience.

Overall, the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 G2 remains the best all-round option for Sony full-frame mirrorless users who want one lens to cover portraits, events, travel, and general photography. The alternatives above only make more sense if you’re switching systems, need a faster prime, or want a specialist lens for macro or low-light work.