Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD vs Minolta AF 35-70mm F4

Both are Sony A lenses. Here is what actually differs.

Tamron

Pick the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD if

You need more reach: 300mm vs 70mm at the long end
Your camera has no AF drive motor: the USD is built into the lens, the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 needs a screw drive in the body

Pick the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 if

You want the lighter lens to carry: 510 g lighter (255 g vs 765 g)
You want a wider view: 35mm vs 70mm at the wide end
You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 1 m vs 1.5 m
You want a compact lens: 52 mm vs 143 mm long

Spec differences

14 differences

Specifications that differ between the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD and the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4
	Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD	Minolta AF 35-70mm F4
Brand	Tamron	Minolta
Type	Telephoto Zoom	Zoom
Format	not listed	Full frame
Focal length	70-300mm	35-70mm
Weight	765 g	255 g lighter
Length	143 mm	52 mm shorter
Diameter	82 mm	not listed
Filter thread	62 mm	49 mm
Min focus distance	1.5 m	1 m closer
Max magnification	not listed	0.07×
Aperture blades	not listed	7
Optical design	not listed	6 elements / 6 groups
Autofocus motor	USD	screw-drive
Released	not listed	1985

3 identical specs hidden: mount, max aperture, image stabilization. Show all

Mount: Sony A both
Max aperture: f/4 both
Image stabilization: No both

Our notes

Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD

A 70-300mm f/4-5.6 full-frame telephoto zoom lens, the Tamron SP 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di USD is designed for Sony A mount bodies, from the Tamron SP series. The range suits sports, wildlife, events and portraits.

Our notes

Minolta AF 35-70mm F4

Minolta AF 35-70mm F4: a standard zoom lens with a 35-70mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/4, made for Sony A mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.