Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD vs 16-50mm f/2.8 A
Both are Sony E zoom lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD if
- You want bigger close-ups: 0.26× vs 0.22× maximum magnification
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 9 aperture blades vs 7
Pick the 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You need 1 stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2.8 vs f/4)
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 155 g lighter (305 g vs 460 g)
- You want a wider view: 16mm vs 17mm at the wide end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.19 m
- You want a compact lens: 79.6 mm vs 114.4 mm long
Spec differences
13 differences| 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD | 16-50mm f/2.8 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Format |
Full frame
|
not listed
|
| Focal length |
17-50mm
|
16-50mm
|
| Max aperture |
f/4
|
f/2.8
1 stop faster
|
| Weight |
460 g
|
305 g
lighter
|
| Length |
114.4 mm
|
79.6 mm
shorter
|
| Diameter |
74.8 mm
|
64.4 mm
slimmer
|
| Filter thread |
67 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.19 m
|
0.15 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.26×
larger
|
0.22×
|
| Aperture blades |
9
more blades
|
7
|
| Optical design |
15 elements / 13 groups
|
14 elements / 10 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
VXD
|
not listed
|
| Released |
2023
|
2026
|
5 identical specs hidden: brand, mount, type, image stabilization, weather sealing. Show all
- Brand
- Tamron both
- Mount
- Sony E both
- Type
- Zoom both
- Image stabilization
- No both
- Weather sealing
- Yes both
More comparisons
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Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G vs Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD
282 g lighter vs more reach (50mm)
Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
wider (12mm) vs 542 g lighter
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 023 vs Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD
1 stop faster vs more reach (50mm)
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary 023 vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
50 g lighter vs more reach (50mm)