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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD

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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
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Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD

Telephoto Zoom | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD
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Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD, two Telephoto Zoom lenses from Sony and Tamron. Both lenses have the same focal range of 70-300mm but different max apertures: Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II has a max aperture of F4.5 - F5.6 while the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD has a max aperture of F4.0 - F5.6.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 750g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 136mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.2m
  • Max Magnification:0.25x

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD Key Specs

  • 70-300mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 765g.
  • Diameter: 82mm
  • Length: 143mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.25x

What type of photography are the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsGoodGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeAverageAverage
MacroAverageAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD is the longer of the two lenses at 143mm. The Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II with a length of 136mm is 7mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD's 82mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II weighs 750g, which means it is 15g (1%) lighter than the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD which has a weight of 765g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C
260mm
105mm 1930g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
122mm
71mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM
85mm
72mm 305g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 VC
258mm
106mm 1951g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
252mm
95mm 1780g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Lens Tamron 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
258mm
106mm 2010g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens Tamron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 LD
117mm
77mm 435g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Lens Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
126mm
77mm 610g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II over Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD

Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 6 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 750g vs 765g 15g lighter
Length 136mm vs 143mm 7mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 1.2m vs 1.5m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD over Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II

Max Aperture - Wide 4 vs 4.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Diameter 82mm vs 83mm 1mm smaller in diameter

Common Strengths of Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II and Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di USD
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II vs Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 USD Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Tamron
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-300mm 70-300mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock - No
Zoom Ratio 4.3X 4.3X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.5 - F5.6 F4.0 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F29.0 F32.0 - F45.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 6
Optics
Optical Elements 16 17
Optical Groups 11 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 1.2m 1.5m
Max Magnification 0.25X 0.25X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 750g 765g
Diameter 83mm 82mm
Length 136mm 143mm
Materials Unknown Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 62mm 62mm
Filter Notes - does not rotate when focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH140 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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