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Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD vs Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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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 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

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di vs Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di for the E Mount and the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II for the E Mount, two Telephoto 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 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 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

What type of photography are the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II 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 FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II
Bird/WildlifeGoodGood
SportsExcellentGood
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelFairFair
StreetFairFair
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundFairAverage
VloggingPoorPoor
LandscapeFairAverage
MacroFairAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

The 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 Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di with a length of 149mm, is 51mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II also has a larger diameter of 88mm compared to the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di's 81mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di vs Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II 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. Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di weighs 815g, which means it is 230g (22%) lighter than the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II which has a 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 E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Lens Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
108mm
64mm 345g 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
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 the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di and the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II 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 a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 270mm.
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 a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 105 - 300mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD over Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Weight 815g vs 1045g 230g lighter
Diameter 81mm vs 88mm 7mm smaller in diameter
Length 149mm vs 200mm 51mm shorter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Reasons to choose Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II over Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Focal Length - Tele 200mm vs 180mm 20mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Optical Zoom 2.90x vs 2.60x More flexible focal coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 9 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
Minimum Focus Distance 0.4m vs 0.85m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.3x vs 0.22x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD and Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
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 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD and Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
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 FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM II 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 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-180mm 70-200mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour - White
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock Yes No
Zoom Ratio 2.6X 2.9X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 11
Optics
Optical Elements 19 17
Optical Groups 14 14
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.85m 0.4m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.3X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Linear 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 No Yes
Physical Specs
Weight 815g 1045g
Diameter 81mm 88mm
Length 149mm 200mm
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 77mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH167
Tripod Collar No Yes
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