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Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

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Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di

Telephoto Zoom | Sony E

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
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Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS

Telephoto Zoom | Sony E

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

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS, two Telephoto 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 70-180mm F2.8 Di Key Specs

  • 70-180mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 815g.
  • Diameter: 81mm
  • Length: 149mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.85m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

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 Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di 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 Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsExcellentGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundFairAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeFairAverage
MacroFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di is the longer of the two lenses at 149mm. The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS with a length of 108mm is 41mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di also has a larger diameter of 81mm 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, 57% (470g) lighter than the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di's weight of 815g.


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
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II
200mm
88mm 1045g 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 Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di 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

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di has a focal range of 70-180mm and 2.6X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 270mm.
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 Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD 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 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
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 0.85m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS over Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Focal Length - Wide 55mm vs 70mm 15mm Wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele 210mm vs 180mm 30mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Optical Zoom 3.80x vs 2.60x More flexible focal coverage
Weight 345g vs 815g 470g lighter
Diameter 64mm vs 81mm 17mm smaller in diameter
Length 108mm vs 149mm 41mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification 0.225x vs 0.22x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD and Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
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 70-180mm F2.8 Di vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron 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 70-180mm 55-210mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Unknown Silver
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No -
Zoom Lock Yes -
Zoom Ratio 2.6X 3.8X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F4.5 - F6.3
Min Aperture F22 F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 19 13
Optical Groups 14 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.85m 1m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.225X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 815g 345g
Diameter 81mm 64mm
Length 149mm 108mm
Materials Unknown Metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 67mm 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH115
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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