Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 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
- Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) is faster by 0.3 stops (f/4.0 vs f/4.5), letting in more light.
- Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) is lighter by 55g.
- Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II reaches further (300mm vs 210mm).
- Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II is the newer design (2015 vs 1985).
| Spec | 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II | AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Minolta |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Telephoto Zoom | Telephoto Zoom |
| Focal length | 70-300mm | 70-210mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.5 | f/4.0 (faster) |
| Released | 2015 | 1985 |
| Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 11 | 9 |
| Af motor | SSM | screw-drive |
| Elements | 16 | 12 |
| Weight g | 750 | 695 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 62 | 55 |
| Length mm | 135.0 | 152.0 |
| Min focus m | 1.2 | 1.1 (closer focusing) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.25 | 0.25 |
Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
A 70-300mm G telephoto zoom for A-mount with SSM autofocus and a dust and moisture resistant build. It weighs about 750 g and takes 62mm filters.
Pros
- Quick SSM autofocus
- Full-frame coverage
- Dust and moisture resistant
- Close focus of 1.2 m
Cons
- Slow at the long end
- No stabilization (camera-based)
- Weighs about 750 g
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