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Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD vs Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

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Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
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Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Wideangle Zoom | Sony E

Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
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Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III vs Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III and Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS, two Wideangle Zoom lenses from Tamron and 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.

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III Key Specs

  • 17-28mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 420g.
  • Diameter: mm
  • Length: mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.19m

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Key Specs

  • 16-35mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 518g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 99mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m
  • Max Magnification:0.19x

What type of photography are the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III and Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III and the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelGoodGood
StreetGoodGood
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

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 17-28mm F2.8 Di III weighs 420g, which means it is 98g (18%) lighter than the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS which has a weight of 518g.


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

Wideangle Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
122mm
89mm 680g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G
88mm
81mm 353g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS Lens Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS
64mm
70mm 225g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A
86mm
73mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
131mm
85mm 795g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM
137mm
98mm 847g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G Lens Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
117mm
87mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Venus Laowa 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom Lens Venus 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 FE Zoom
91mm
61mm 496g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III and Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA 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

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III has a focal range of 17-28mm and 1.6X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 25.5 - 42mm.
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS has a focal range of 16-35mm and 2.2X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 24 - 52.5mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD over Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weight 420g vs 518g 98g lighter
Diameter mm vs 78mm 78mm smaller in diameter
Length mm vs 99mm 99mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.19m vs 0.28m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sony Vario-Tessar T FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS over Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Focal Length - Wide 16mm vs 17mm 1mm Wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 28mm 7mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Optical Zoom 2.20x vs 1.60x More flexible focal coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Max Magnification 0.19x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots



**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.

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III vs Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Zoom Wideangle Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 17-28mm 16-35mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Unknown Black
Zoom Method No Zoom Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - No
Zoom Lock - No
Zoom Ratio 1.6X 2.2X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4.0
Min Aperture F2.8 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades unknown 7
Optics
Optical Elements unknown 12
Optical Groups unknown 10
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.19m 0.28m
Max Magnification unknown 0.19X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor unknown
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale No Unknown
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Unknown
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 420g 518g
Diameter Unknown 78mm
Length Unknown 99mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Unknown Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 72mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar Unknown No
Optional Accessories - -
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