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Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF vs Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM

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Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM

Standard Zoom | Sony Alpha

Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD vs Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM, two Standard 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 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Key Specs

  • 17-50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 430g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 82mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.27m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM Key Specs

  • 28-75mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 565g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 98mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.38m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

What type of photography are the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony 28-75mm F2.8 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 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and the Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitVery GoodVery Good
TravelVery GoodVery Good
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingVery GoodVery Good
Walk AroundVery GoodVery Good
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM is the longer of the two lenses at 98mm. The Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD with a length of 82mm is 16mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM also has a larger diameter of 78mm compared to Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD's 74mm 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. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD weighs 430g, which means it is 135g (23%) lighter than the Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM which has a weight of 565g.


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

Standard Zoom Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Lens Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
69mm
70mm 210g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM Lens Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
88mm
81mm 577g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 VC USD
117mm
88mm 825g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
89mm
74mm 395g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
95mm
89mm 790g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
92mm
84mm 565g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Lens Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM
121mm
78mm 810g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens Sony 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM
111mm
83mm 955g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD and Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (DX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD has a focal range of 17-50mm and 2.9X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 25.5-75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM has a focal range of 28-75mm and 2.7X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 42 - 112.5mm.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF over Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 28mm 11mm Wider coverage
Optical Zoom 2.90x vs 2.70x More flexible focal coverage
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 430g vs 565g 135g lighter
Diameter 74mm vs 78mm 4mm smaller in diameter
Length 82mm vs 98mm 16mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.27m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM over Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF

Focal Length - Tele 75mm vs 50mm 25mm more Tele coverage
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF and Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF and Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Internal Zoom No vs No Length of the lens changes during zooming
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**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 17-50mm f2.8 XR II LD vs Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM 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 Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 17-50mm 28-75mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending) Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom - -
Zoom Lock Yes Yes
Zoom Ratio 2.9X 2.7X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F32.0 F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 7
Optics
Optical Elements 16 16
Optical Groups 13 14
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.27m 0.38m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.22X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Micro-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 430g 565g
Diameter 74mm 78mm
Length 82mm 98mm
Materials Unknown Plastic barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 67mm 67mm
Filter Notes - Does not rotate on focusing
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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