Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II vs Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II is faster by 1 stop (f/2.8 vs f/4.0), letting in more light.
- Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) is lighter by 605g.
- Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) reaches further (210mm vs 200mm).
- Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II is the newer design (2013 vs 1985).
| Spec | 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II | AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Minolta |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Telephoto Zoom | Telephoto Zoom |
| Focal length | 70-200mm | 70-210mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 (faster) | f/4.0 |
| Released | 2013 | 1985 |
| Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 16 | 9 |
| Af motor | SSM | screw-drive |
| Elements | 19 | 12 |
| Weight g | 1300 | 695 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 77 | 55 |
| Length mm | 196.6 | 152.0 |
| Min focus m | 1.2 | 1.1 (closer focusing) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.21 | 0.25 |
Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II
Sony's second 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM for A-mount, with a dust and moisture resistant build and a ring-type SSM motor. It weighs about 1,300 g and takes 77mm filters.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- SSM autofocus
- Dust and moisture resistant
- Wide focus-ring control with SSM manual override
Cons
- Weighs about 1,300 g
- No in-lens stabilization
Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)
A constant f/4 telephoto zoom nicknamed the Beercan for its shape. It weighs about 695 g and takes 55mm filters.
Pros
- Constant f/4
- Sharp for its age
- Compact for a 70-210mm
- 55mm filters
Cons
- Screw-drive AF
- No stabilization