§ 03 Head to head

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS vs Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD

Sony 90mm f/2.8 is 28 g lighter. Tamron 90mm f/2.8 focuses 5 cm closer.

Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS is a 90mm f/2.8 prime, and the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD is a 90mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS better than the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD?

  • 28 g lighter (602 g vs 630 g)
  • 15 mm shorter (112 mm vs 126.5 mm long)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)

Why is the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD better than the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS?

  • Focuses 5 cm closer (0.23 m vs 0.28 m)
  • More aperture blades (12 vs 9)
  • Newer design (2024 vs 2015)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • macro For macro photography, the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.23 m.
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has the edge: it is 28 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSSTamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD
Focal length90mm 90mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8 f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/16
Lens typeTelephoto macro prime lens Prime lens
FormatFull Frame Full frame
Weight602 g (1.33 lbs) ◆630 g
Dimensions78 mm (diameter) x 112 mm (length) 126.5 x 79.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.28 m (11 inches) 0.23 m ◆
Maximum magnification1x (1:1) —
Image stabilizationYes (Optical SteadyShot) ◆No
Weather sealingYes —
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 (rounded) 12 ◆
Optical construction15 elements in 11 groups 15 elements / 12 groups
Filter size62 mm ◆67 mm
Lens mountSony E Sony E, Nikon Z
Released2015 2024
Price—$699 list price
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Tamron
  • 112 × 78 mm
  • 126.5 × 79.2 mm

The Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD is 14 mm longer and 28 g heavier than the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Ringlet Butterfly
Ringlet Butterfly by pstenzel71
Annual Fleabane
Annual Fleabane by pstenzel71
Untitled
Untitled by Soul Labyrinth (Chipvn)
Woodsorrel
Woodsorrel by pstenzel71

Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD

Just "52" Week 27 Strawflower
Just "52" Week 27 Strawflower by Renn's pics
Mom's Iris
Mom's Iris by Renn's pics
State of soul
State of soul by stefanone71
Preparation
Preparation by stefanone71
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS review 2
Video thumbnail for Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD review 1
Video thumbnail for Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS or the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD?
The Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS weighs 602 g, 28 g less than the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (630 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS or the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD?
The Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD focuses down to 0.23 m, against 0.28 m for the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.
Do the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS and the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD have image stabilization?
Only the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has optical image stabilization.
Is the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS or the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD better for macro photography?
For macro photography, the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD has the edge: it focuses closer, down to 0.23 m.
Is the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS or the Tamron 90 mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS has the edge: it is 28 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons