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Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony 28mm F2.8

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Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Wideangle Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD
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Sony 28mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony 28mm F2.8
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Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony 28mm F2.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD for the A Mount and the Sony 28mm F2.8 for the A Mount, two Wideangle Prime 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 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 450g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 81mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.4x

Sony 28mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 28mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 185g.
  • Diameter: 66mm
  • Length: 43mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.3m
  • Max Magnification: 0.13x

What type of photography are the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sony 28mm F2.8 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD and the Sony 28mm F2.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Sony 28mm F2.8
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingAverageFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodGood
MacroGoodPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD is the longer of the two lenses at 81mm. The Sony 28mm F2.8 with a length of 43mm, is 38mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD also has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to the Sony 28mm F2.8's 66mm 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. Sony 28mm F2.8 weighs 185g, 58% (265g) lighter than the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD's weight of 450g.


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

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 35mm F1.4 G Lens Sony 35mm F1.4 G
76mm
69mm 510g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 24mm F2 SSM Carl Zeiss Distagon T Lens Sony 24mm F2 SSM CZ
76mm
78mm 555g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Lens Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM
94mm
77mm 665g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Lens Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM
52mm
70mm 170g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 20mm F2.8 Lens Sony 20mm F2.8
54mm
78mm 285g Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 14mm f2.8 IF ED MC Lens Rokinon 14mm f2.8
96mm
87mm 552g Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 24mm f1.4 Aspherical Lens Rokinon 24mm f1.4
mm
83mm 580g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical Lens Samyang 14mm F2.8
96mm
87mm 552g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD and the Sony 28mm F2.8 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 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 52.5mm.
Sony 28mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 28mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD over Sony 28mm F2.8

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 28mm 7mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.3m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.4x vs 0.13x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony 28mm F2.8 over Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Focal Length - Wide 28mm vs 35mm 7mm Wider coverage
Weight 185g vs 450g 265g lighter
Diameter 66mm vs 80mm 14mm smaller in diameter
Length 43mm vs 81mm 38mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sony 28mm F2.8
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing


**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 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony 28mm F2.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 35mm 28mm
Image Stabilization Yes No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 10 5
Optical Groups 9 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.3m
Max Magnification 0.4X 0.13X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Screw drive from camera
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Unit
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale - Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 450g 185g
Diameter 80mm 66mm
Length 81mm 43mm
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 67mm 49mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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