CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

x
Lens to replace
Change

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II

Telephoto Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

Telephoto Zoom | Sony E

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS, two Telephoto Zoom lenses by Sony.

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 FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II Key Specs

  • 70-200mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 1045g.
  • Diameter: 88mm
  • Length: 200mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.3x

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Key Specs

  • 55-210mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F6.3 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 345g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 108mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1m
  • Max Magnification:0.225x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsGoodGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeAverageAverage
MacroAverageFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II is the longer of the two lenses at 200mm. The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS with a length of 108mm is 92mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II also has a larger diameter of 88mm compared to Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS's 64mm 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 E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS weighs 345g, 66% (700g) lighter than the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II's weight of 1045g.


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

Telephoto Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
318mm
112mm 2115g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6
144mm
84mm 854g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM
205mm
94mm 1395g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
142mm
77mm 625g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS S Lens Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS
266mm
109mm 2100g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD Lens Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di
149mm
81mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 OS
197mm
86mm 1135g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM
200mm
88mm 1480g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II has a focal range of 70-200mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 300mm.
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS has a focal range of 55-210mm and 3.8X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 82.5-315mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II over Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 6.3 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Internal Zoom Yes vs No Length of the lens doesn't change during zooming
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.4m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.3x vs 0.225x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS over Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Focal Length - Wide 55mm vs 70mm 15mm Wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele 210mm vs 200mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Optical Zoom 3.80x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 345g vs 1045g 700g lighter
Diameter 64mm vs 88mm 24mm smaller in diameter
Length 108mm vs 200mm 92mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Image Stabilization Yes vs Yes Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist



**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 FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 70-200mm 55-210mm
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Colour White Silver
Zoom Method Rotary (internal) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No -
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 3.8X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4.5 - F6.3
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 11 7
Optics
Optical Elements 17 13
Optical Groups 14 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.4m 1m
Max Magnification 0.3X 0.225X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter Yes Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 1045g 345g
Diameter 88mm 64mm
Length 200mm 108mm
Materials Unknown Metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 77mm 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH167 ALC-SH115
Tripod Collar Yes No
Optional Accessories - -
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony E | F4 Standard Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Leica L | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sony E | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Leica L | F4-5.6 Wideangle Zoom
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Micro Four Thirds | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Most Popular Lenses
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
75-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
70-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
18-55mm | F2.8 - F4.0 Standard Zoom
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

Report a Correction