Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 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 lighter by 805g.
- Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II reaches further (400mm vs 210mm).
- Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II is the newer design (2013 vs 1985).
| Spec | 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II | AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Minolta |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Telephoto Zoom | Telephoto Zoom |
| Focal length | 70-400mm | 70-210mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.0 | f/4.0 |
| Released | 2013 | 1985 |
| Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Af motor | SSM | screw-drive |
| Elements | 18 | 12 |
| Weight g | 1500 | 695 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 77 | 55 |
| Length mm | 196.0 | 152.0 |
| Min focus m | 1.5 | 1.1 (closer focusing) |
| Max magnification | 0.27 | 0.25 |
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
A long-range zoom for A-mount, covering 70-400mm with SSM focusing. It weighs about 1,500 g and takes 77mm filters.
Pros
- Long 400mm reach
- SSM autofocus
- Full-frame coverage
- Minimum focus 1.5 m
Cons
- Heavy at about 1,500 g
- No stabilization in the lens
- Slow f/5.6 aperture at 400mm
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