Which is lighter, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

The Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 weighs 540 g, 155 g less than the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II (695 g).

Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

The Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 focuses down to 0.18 m, against 0.21 m for the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

Do the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and the Tamron 28-75 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 24-70mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better for landscape photography?

For landscape photography, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it goes wider, to 24mm against 28mm.

Is the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II or the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better for architecture?

For architecture, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it goes wider, to 24mm against 28mm.

§ 03 Head to head

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II vs Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony 24–70mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view. Tamron 28–75mm f/2.8 has a longer reach.

Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is a 24–70mm f/2.8 zoom, and the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a 28–75mm f/2.8 zoom. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.

Add a third lens →

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

f/2.8 · 24–70mm · 695 g

Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

f/2.8 · 28–75mm · 540 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II better than the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

Wider field of view (24mm vs 28mm)
Has a physical aperture ring
More aperture blades (11 vs 9)
Newer design (2022 vs 2021)

Why is the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 better than the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II?

Longer reach (75mm vs 70mm)
155 g lighter (540 g vs 695 g)
Focuses 3 cm closer (0.18 m vs 0.21 m)
Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 82 mm)

Which should you buy?

By use

landscape For landscape photography, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it goes wider, to 24mm against 28mm.
architecture For architecture, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has the edge: it goes wider, to 24mm against 28mm.
street For street photography, the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 155 g lighter to carry.
travel For travel, the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 has the edge: it is 155 g lighter to carry.

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II	Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal length	24–70mm	28–75mm
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Lens type	Standard zoom lens	Zoom lens
Format	Full Frame	Full frame
Weight	695 g (24.6 oz)	540 g ◆
Dimensions	87.8 mm (diameter) x 119.9 mm (length)	117.6 x 75.8 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.21 m (8.3 in) at 24mm; 0.3 m (11.8 in) at 70mm	0.18 m ◆
Maximum magnification	0.32x	—
Image stabilization	No	No
Weather sealing	Yes	Yes
Aperture ring	Yes	No
Aperture blades	11 (rounded) ◆	9
Optical construction	20 elements in 15 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical), two ED (extra-low dispersion), and two Super ED elements	17 elements / 15 groups
Filter size	82 mm	67 mm ◆
Lens mount	Sony E	Sony E, Nikon Z
Released	2022	2021
Price	—	$899 launch price

Size

Drawn to relative scale

A · Sony
B · Tamron

119.9 × 87.8 mm
117.6 × 75.8 mm

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 2 mm longer and 155 g heavier than the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2.

Sample frames

Shot on each lens