Tamron 25–200mm F/2.8–5.6 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E — Community Buzz & First Impressions

The Quick Take: Tamron’s beloved all-in-one travel zoom gets a true wide 25mm, faster VXD autofocus, and half-macro 1:1.9—while staying compact and 67mm filter-friendly. Street price is $899 with availability targeted for Nov 21, 2025.

 Pre-Order Tamron 25–200mm G2

What’s new vs. the 28–200mm G1

• Wider start: 25mm vs 28mm makes interiors, groups, and landscapes easier without swapping lenses. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Closer focus: up to 1:1.9 (0.53×) at the wide end—legit half-macro.
• Autofocus upgrade: RXD ➝ VXD linear motor for snappier, more precise AF.
• Iris: 9 blades (was 7 on the G1) for rounder bokeh stopped down.
• Still travel-friendly: 575 g, 121.5 mm length, 67mm filters—very close to G1’s size/weight.

Early strengths people keep noticing

• “Do-everything” range, now wider: outlets highlight the extra 3mm at the wide end as the meaningful quality-of-life upgrade for travel and everyday.
• Half-macro versatility: 1:1.9 close-ups are being called out across first looks—great for food, textures, small details without a dedicated macro.
• AF & handling: the VXD motor is a recurring positive for stills and hybrid shooters; coverage notes the lens stays compact and keeps 67mm filters.
• Value: $899 launch price undercuts some rivals and lands as “tempting” for a one-lens kit.

Early trade-offs & open questions

• No optical stabilization: like the G1, there’s no lens-based IS—pair with Sony bodies that have IBIS.
• Aperture curve chatter: Redditors are debating if the G2 is a hair “darker” at a few mid-range focal lengths vs the 28–200; we’ll test this in-house.
• Length grows slightly: 121.5 mm vs 117 mm on the G1—not huge, but noted.

What the press & community are saying (buzz snapshot)

• DPReview: “Goes wider, gets closer”—a succinct summary of the upgrade path.
• Digital Camera World: calls out the mix of wide, tele, half-macro, and F2.8 at 25mm, with shipping expected Nov 20.
• PetaPixel: emphasizes improved IQ and faster, more precise AF, plus the 9-blade diaphragm.
• Social feeds: Many highlight the 8× range, VXD AF, and 1:1.9 close-ups; general sentiment is “perfect travel lens.”

How it stacks up (agreements vs. debates)

• Consensus: Wider 25mm + half-macro + VXD = meaningful real-world upgrade for a one-lens kit. 
• Debates: A few are comparing it to Sigma’s new 20–200mm (wider vs brighter mid-range behavior, price/value).

The Looking Glass Take

If you loved the freedom of the Tamron 28–200, this new Tamron 25-200 G2 feels like the right evolution: wider, closer, snappier AF, nicer bokeh, and still carry-friendly. The lack of optical stabilization isn’t new—so our advice is the same: pair it with an IBIS-equipped Sony body and keep your shutter speeds honest at the long end. For travel, family, hikes, and “I only want one lens” kits, this is the most compelling all-in-one we’ve seen on E-mount at this price.

Mini Comparison: Tamron 25–200 G2 vs. Sigma 20–200 vs. Tamron 28–200

Specs shown for Sony E-mount versions.

Which to pick? Choose Tamron 25–200 G2 for the best close-focus, VXD AF, and f/2.8 at the wide end (plus 67mm filters); pick the Tamron 28–200 if value wins.

Who it’s for

• Travelers who want one lens for landscapes, street, portraits, and details
• Families and creators who’d rather shoot than swap lenses
• Minimalists upgrading from kit glass without giving up speed or range

Specs at a glance

• Focal length: 25–200mm | Max aperture: F2.8–5.6 | 9-blade diaphragm
• Close focus: 0.16 m (W) / 0.8 m (T) | Max mag: 1:1.9 (W)
• AF: VXD linear motor | Filter: 67mm
• Length/Weight: 121.5 mm / 575 g | Mount: Sony E (full-frame)

Pricing & availability

$899 USD, expected from Nov 21, 2025.