Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II goes wider (16mm vs 17mm).
- Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD reaches further (70mm vs 35mm).
| Spec | FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II | 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Tamron |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Type | Wide Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 16-35mm (wider) | 17-70mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Released | 2023 | n/a |
| Format | full-frame | n/a |
| Weight g | 547.0 | n/a |
| Filter mm | 82 | n/a |
| Length mm | 111.5 | n/a |
| Diameter mm | 87.8 | n/a |
| Min focus m | 0.22 | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.32 | n/a |
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
A redesigned f/2.8 ultra-wide zoom from Sony that is lighter and smaller than the first GM, at about 547 g. It uses four XD linear motors and has an aperture ring.
Pros
- Compact for an f/2.8 wide zoom
- XD linear motors for fast autofocus
- 82mm filter thread
Cons
- No built-in stabilization
- Still a sizeable lens at about 547 g
Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
An APS-C standard zoom for Sony E that keeps f/2.8 across 17-70mm and adds VC stabilization. It uses an RXD focus motor.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 with VC stabilization
- Wide 17-70mm range
- Quiet RXD focus
Cons
- APS-C only
- Larger than a kit zoom