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Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro vs Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM

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Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro
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Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM

Macro Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro vs Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro for the A Mount and Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM for the A Mount, two Macro Prime 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 90mm F2.8 VC Macro Key Specs

  • 90mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 609g.
  • Diameter: 79mm
  • Length: 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.3m
  • Max Magnification:1x

Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM Key Specs

  • 30mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 150g.
  • Diameter: 70mm
  • Length: 45mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.13m
  • Max Magnification:1x

What type of photography are the Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro and Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro and the Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairFair
PortraitGoodGood
TravelAverageAverage
StreetAverageGood
WeddingGoodGood
Walk AroundFairAverage
VloggingFairAverage
LandscapeAverageGood
MacroVery GoodVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro is the longer of the two lenses at 117mm. The Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM with a length of 45mm is 72mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro also has a larger diameter of 79mm compared to Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM's 70mm 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 DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM weighs 150g, 75% (459g) lighter than the Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro's weight of 609g.


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

Macro Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Tamron SP AF 90mm F2.8 Di Macro Lens Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro
97mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro
99mm
75mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro
60mm
72mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
98mm
74mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Sigma APO 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
204mm
95mm 1640g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD 1-1 Macro Lens Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC USD Macro
115mm
76mm 550g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 60mm F2 Di II LD IF Macro Lens Tamron 60mm f2 II LD IF Macro
80mm
73mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
67mm
71mm 320g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro and Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM 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 90mm F2.8 VC Macro is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Canon EF mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 90mm F2.8 VC Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 90mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 135mm.
Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 30mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 45mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro over Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM

Focal Length - Tele 90mm vs 30mm 60mm more Tele coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Focus Type Internal Focusing vs Extending front Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Reasons to choose Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM over Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro

Focal Length - Wide 30mm vs 90mm 60mm Wider coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weight 150g vs 609g 459g lighter
Diameter 70mm vs 79mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Length 45mm vs 117mm 72mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.13m vs 0.3m can focus closer to the subject


**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 90mm F2.8 VC Macro vs Sony DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Macro Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 90mm 30mm
Image Stabilization Yes No
Colour - Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 14 6
Optical Groups 11 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.3m 0.13m
Max Magnification 1X 1X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Micro-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes No
Focus Method Internal Extending front
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 609g 150g
Diameter 79mm 70mm
Length 117mm 45mm
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 62mm 49mm
Filter Notes - does not rotate on focus
Hood Supplied Yes No
Tripod Collar No No
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