§ 03 Head to head
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Sony 16–35mm f/2.8 has a longer reach. Tamron 16–30mm f/2.8 is 107 g lighter.
The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is a 16–35mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a 16–30mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.
Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II better than the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
- Longer reach (35mm vs 30mm)
- Higher maximum magnification (0.32x vs 0.19x)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
Why is the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II?
- 107 g lighter (440 g vs 547 g)
- 10 mm shorter (101.8 mm vs 111.5 mm long)
- Focuses 3 cm closer (0.19 m vs 0.22 m)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 82 mm)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 107 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 107 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II | Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16–35mm | 16–30mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Ultra-wide-angle zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 547 g (1.21 lb) | 440 g (15.52 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 88 mm (diameter) x 111.5 mm (length) | 101.8 x 74.8 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.22 m (8.66 inches) | 0.19 m (7.48 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.32x ◆ | 0.19x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | No |
| Aperture blades | 11 (rounded) ◆ | 9 |
| Optical construction | 15 elements in 12 groups, including three XA (extreme aspherical), one aspherical, one ED aspherical, two ED, and one Super ED elements | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Filter size | 82 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | — | 2025 |
| Price | — | $929 launch price |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Tamron
- 111.5 × 88 mm
- 101.8 × 74.8 mm
The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is 10 mm longer and 107 g heavier than the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2.
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Sample frames
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
- The Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 weighs 440 g, 107 g less than the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II (547 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
- The Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 focuses down to 0.19 m, against 0.22 m for the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II.
- Do the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 107 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Tamron 16-30 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 107 g lighter to carry.
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