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
    • Cinema Lenses
      • Sony E Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Cine Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Cine Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Cine Lenses
      • ARRI PL Mount Cine Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cine Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cine Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Cine Lenses
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Sony Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II vs Tamron AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical

x
Lens to replace
Change

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Tamron AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II vs Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II for the A Mount and the Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 for the A Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses from Sony and Tamron.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 974g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 111mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.34m
  • Max Magnification: 0.25x

Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 Key Specs

  • 28-80mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 237g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 70mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m

What type of photography are the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and the Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II is the longer of the two lenses at 111mm. The Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 with a length of 70mm, is 41mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6's 72mm diameter.

The 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. Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 weighs 237g, 75% (737g) lighter than the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II's weight of 974g.


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

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Lens Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
98mm
78mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
69mm
70mm 210g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Lens Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
88mm
81mm 577g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC USD
117mm
88mm 825g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
89mm
74mm 395g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
95mm
89mm 790g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
92mm
84mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and the Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 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.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II has a focal range of 24-70mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 36 - 105mm.
Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 has a focal range of 28-80mm and 2.9X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42 - 120mm.

Reasons to choose Sony Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II over Tamron AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical

Focal Length - Wide 24mm vs 28mm 4mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 5.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 6 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 0.7m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.25x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Tamron AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical over Sony Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II

Focal Length - Tele 80mm vs 70mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight 237g vs 974g 737g lighter
Diameter 72mm vs 83mm 11mm smaller in diameter
Length 70mm vs 111mm 41mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Common Weaknesses of Sony Vario-Sonnar T 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and Tamron AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 Aspherical
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming




**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 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II vs Tamron AF 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Tamron
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 24-70mm 28-80mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 6
Optics
Optical Elements 17 7
Optical Groups 13 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.34m 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.25X -
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale Yes -
DoF Scale No -
Distance Scale Yes -
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 974g 237g
Diameter 83mm 72mm
Length 111mm 70mm
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 77mm 58mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code ALC-SH101 -
Tripod Collar No No
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 24mm F1.7
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 24mm F1.7
Nikon Z | F1.7 Wideangle Prime
Fujifilm XF 8mm F3.5 R WR
Fujifilm XF 8mm F3.5 R WR
Fujifilm X | F3.5 Wideangle Prime
Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM
Canon RF | F2.8 Wideangle Prime
HD Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4
HD Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4
Pentax KAF | F1.4 Standard Prime
smc Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic
smc Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic
Pentax KAF | F1.4 Standard Prime
Most Popular Lenses
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
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
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 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard 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
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision LaptopDecision

Report a Correction