HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WRvs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Pentax HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Pentax HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013) Starting from £699 new Best for Travel, landscape & documentary photography View HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
VS
Tamron Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Tamron Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (2021) Starting from £699 new Best for Wedding, travel & general purpose View Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Travel, Landscape & Documentary Photography — HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013): The natural travel zoom for Pentax K-3 owners — weather-sealed, DA★ quality, and covers wide to short-telephoto in one versatile barrel.

Wedding, Travel & General Purpose — Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (2021): The best-value standard zoom for Sony FE — constant f/2.8, fast VXD AF, and weather sealing for far less than the Sony FE 24-70mm GM II.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Quick take: These cameras are closely matched across the key specs below. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013)Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (2021)
Price £699 £699
Sensor f/3.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) f/2.8 (constant max aperture)
Video 35cm minimum focus distance 18cm minimum focus distance
Autofocus DC (Direct Clutch) motor — smooth and quiet VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor
Stabilisation None (relies on body SR/IBIS) None (relies on body IBIS)
Burst Rate N/A —
Battery Life N/A —
Weight 488g 540g
Dimensions 74mm diameter × 93.5mm length 75.8 × 117.6mm
Weather Sealed Yes Yes
Viewfinder N/A —
Screen N/A —
Mount Pentax KF-mount Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards N/A —
Connectivity N/A —

Suitability by genre

Genre HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WRTamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Travel
9.0
9.0
Landscape
9.0
7.0
Portrait
7.0
9.0
Wedding & Events —
9.0
Street —
9.0
Sports & Action —
4.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR prices → Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 prices →

More comparisons with HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR

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