Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 vs Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro

Both are Sony A lenses for full frame. Here is what actually differs.

Minolta · 1985

Pick the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 if

You want the lighter lens to carry: 290 g lighter (255 g vs 545 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

Pick the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro if

You need more reach: 300mm vs 70mm at the long end
Your camera has no AF drive motor: the in body is built into the lens, the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 needs a screw drive in the body
You want bigger close-ups: 0.25× vs 0.07× maximum magnification
You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 9 aperture blades vs 7

Spec differences

12 differences

Specifications that differ between the Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 and the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
	Minolta AF 35-70mm F4	Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
Brand	Minolta	Sigma
Type	Zoom	Macro
Focal length	35-70mm	70-300mm
Weight	255 g lighter	545 g
Length	52 mm	not listed
Filter thread	49 mm	58 mm
Min focus distance	1 m closer	1.5 m
Max magnification	0.07×	0.25× larger
Aperture blades	7	9 more blades
Optical design	6 elements / 6 groups	14 elements / 10 groups
Autofocus motor	screw-drive	in body
Released	1985	not listed

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

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

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.

Our notes

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro

The Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro is a full-frame macro zoom lens covering 70-300mm at f/4-5.6 for Sony A mount cameras. It is intended for close-up work with small subjects such as flowers and insects.