Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
Both are Sony E wide zoom lenses for full frame. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM if
- You need more reach: 35mm vs 20mm at the long end
- Our notes say it suits: Landscape and astro, architecture, wedding and event wide shots
Pick the Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 if
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 110 g lighter (570 g vs 680 g)
- You want a wider view: 12mm vs 16mm at the wide end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.18 m vs 0.28 m
- You prefer a newer design: released 2026 vs 2017
Spec differences
12 differences| Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM | Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Sony
|
Tamron
|
| Focal length |
16-35mm
|
12-20mm
|
| Weight |
680 g
|
570 g
lighter
|
| Length |
121.6 mm
|
119.3 mm
|
| Diameter |
88.5 mm
|
90 mm
|
| Filter thread |
82 mm
|
not listed
|
| Min focus distance |
0.28 m
|
0.18 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.19×
larger
|
0.17×
|
| Aperture blades |
not listed
|
12
|
| Optical design |
not listed
|
17 elements / 12 groups
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
2017
|
2026
|
5 identical specs hidden: mount, type, format, max aperture, image stabilization. Show all
- Mount
- Sony E both
- Type
- Wide Zoom both
- Format
- Full frame both
- Max aperture
- f/2.8 both
- Image stabilization
- No both
Our notes
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
Sony's first f/2.8 ultra-wide zoom for full-frame E-mount, covering 16-35mm at a constant aperture. It takes 82mm front filters.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- 82mm screw-in filter thread
- Dust and moisture resistant design
Cons
- Weighs about 680 g, heavier than the GM II
- No stabilization in the lens
Our notes
Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
More comparisons
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD
more reach (35mm) vs 345 g lighter
Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
more reach (24mm) vs 277 g lighter
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
wider (16mm) vs 155 g lighter
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 023
more reach (35mm) vs 425 g lighter
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 023 vs Tamron 12-20mm f/2.8
315 g lighter vs more reach (20mm)
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM vs Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art 019
115 g lighter vs wider (14mm)