Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1530 g | 540 g |
| Optical stabilization | true | false |
| Min focal | 100 mm | 28 mm |
| Max focal | 500 mm | 75 mm |
Between the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM and 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM comes out ahead in optical stabilization / min focal, while the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins on weight. Overall, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 74.1 and the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 scores 69 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM edges ahead on the Mars Score (74.1 vs 69), but the 5.1-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if you care most about optical stabilization / min focal. The biggest gaps in its favor are optical stabilization, min focal, max focal. The single most decisive one: Has Optical stabilization.
Pick the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight. The single most decisive one: Weight — 990.00 g less. 540 vs 1530.
Both ship with comparable weather sealed, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM leads the current Mars Score by 5.1 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare min focal, max focal, weight against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM if…
Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM has the measurable edge on has stabilization, focal min mm, focal max mm.
Choose Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 if…
Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the measurable edge on weight g.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM wins
- ▲Has Optical stabilization.
- ▲Min focal: 100 (vs 28).
- ▲Max focal: 500 (vs 75).
Why Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins
- ▲Weight — 990.00 g less. 540 vs 1530.
Spec comparison
Optics
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Min focal | 100 mmlead | 28 mm |
| Max focal | 500 mmlead | 75 mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min aperture | f/51 | f/22 |
Build
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1530 g | 540 glead |
| Weather sealedⓘ | true | true |
| Optical stabilizationⓘ | truelead | false |
Mount
| Spec | Canon - RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Tamron - 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens mount | Canon RFlead | Sony E |