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Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T

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Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
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Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS

Standard Zoom | Sony E

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC for the E Mount and the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS for the E Mount, two Standard Zoom lenses from Tamron and Sony.

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.

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC Key Specs

  • 17-70mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 525g.
  • Diameter: 75mm
  • Length: 119mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.19m
  • Max Magnification: 0.21x

Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Key Specs

  • 24-70mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 426g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 95mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.4m
  • Max Magnification: 0.2x

What type of photography are the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 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 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC and the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS
Bird/WildlifeAverageFair
SportsGoodFair
PortraitVery GoodGood
TravelVery GoodGood
StreetGoodGood
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingFairGood
LandscapeGoodVery Good
MacroFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC is the longer of the two lenses at 119mm. The Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS with a length of 95mm, is 24mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC also has a larger diameter of 75mm compared to the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS's 73mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC and the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Size and Weight

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. Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS weighs 426g, 18% (99g) lighter than the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC's weight of 525g.


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

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Lens Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
113mm
83mm 663g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
136mm
88mm 886g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art
123mm
88mm 835g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD Lens Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III
117mm
73mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
100mm
73mm 494g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
120mm
88mm 695g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
30mm
65mm 116g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
83mm
73mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC and the Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6600.

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC is also available in Fujifilm X mount.

Focal Range

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC has a focal range of 17-70mm and 4.1X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 25.5-105mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS 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.

Reasons to choose Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD over Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 24mm 7mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 4.10x vs 2.90x More flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Minimum Focus Distance 0.19m vs 0.4m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.21x vs 0.2x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T over Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weight 426g vs 525g 99g lighter
Diameter 73mm vs 75mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Length 95mm vs 119mm 24mm shorter

Common Strengths of Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
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
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD and Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
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.

Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC vs Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Zoom Zoom
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Zoom Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 17-70mm 24-70mm
Image Stabilization Yes Yes
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 4.1X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4.0
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 16 12
Optical Groups 12 10
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.19m 0.4m
Max Magnification 0.21X 0.2X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 525g 426g
Diameter 75mm 73mm
Length 119mm 95mm
Materials - All-metal construction
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 67mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH130
Tripod Collar No No
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