Sony 70-200mm f/4 G OSS II E-Mount vs SEL70300G 70 - 300 mm F4.5-5.6 FE

[Architeuthis]

Honest curiosity, is there some reason you haven’t considered the Tamron 70-180/2.8 G2 that’s $900 cheaper than the Sony 70-200/4 II? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the F4 ain’t great, I’m just wondering if you 1) considered the Tamron or not, and if so 2) what’s worth the extra $900 vs a lens that’s about the same size and 1 stop faster?

In general, Tamron IQ is not as good as Sony G and GM lenses. Also, I would almost never shoot at f/2.8. I favor f/8, when it's available.

As far as IQ of the specific lenses is considered, the Tamron 70/180mm G2 is at least as good as the Sony 70/200 GII lens, it is even a tad better when the regions near the edge of the frames are considered. See, e.g. here, for objective data:

https://www.lenstip.com/662.4-Lens_..._f_2.8_Di_III_VC_VXD_G2_Image_resolution.html

https://www.lenstip.com/651.4-Lens_review-Sony_FE_70-200_mm_f_4_Macro_G_OSS_II_Image_resolution.html

At the positive side the Sony has 20mm more range, better build quality, is slightly (61g) lighter, has better IS (4EV vs. 3.3EV) and offers (a little bit) more "macro" capability (0.5x vs. 0.38x)...

 

[Ralf B]

furthermore, they find that

• CA are low on all but the best is the Tamron 50-300
• Flare resistance is a little bit better on the Tamron 50-300
• The background blur, bokeh balls, color rendition are very good on all lenses.
• the Tamron 50-300 is one of the best choice you can make

I followed my own advice today and bought the Tamron 50-300/4.5-6.3 VXD as replacement for my optcially great Sony A-Mount 70-300 SSM G I. Reasons:

• Faster AF
• Optical stabilizer
• and no delay by closing the aperture to the selected value as that is something that irritates me using my legacy A-Mount AF lenses with the LA-EA5 ever since I shoot native FE Mount lenses.

If the weather allows - we have the first autumn storms coming into South Germany. - our local brick-and-mortar FotoProfi store hosts a Sony workshop on Saturday themed "street portraiture". I'll have the Tamron have a go at that as I successfully did that with the Sony 70-300 G when visiting Japan in Spring 2024. I only shot that lens wide open then to avoid the aperture delay to affect AF tracking accuracy and overall shot timing.
Samples attached.


Sony 70-300 G SSM I in Japan in Spring 2024 - EXIF intact


Sony 70-300 G SSM I in Japan in Spring 2024 - EXIF intact


Sony 70-300 G SSM I in Japan in Spring 2024 - EXIF intact

All shots candid, not staged.
Cheers,
Ralf

 

[Joachim Wulfers]

Honest curiosity, is there some reason you haven’t considered the Tamron 70-180/2.8 G2 that’s $900 cheaper than the Sony 70-200/4 II? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the F4 ain’t great, I’m just wondering if you 1) considered the Tamron or not, and if so 2) what’s worth the extra $900 vs a lens that’s about the same size and 1 stop faster?

In general, Tamron IQ is not as good as Sony G and GM lenses. Also, I would almost never shoot at f/2.8. I favor f/8, when it's available.

As far as IQ of the specific lenses is considered, the Tamron 70/180mm G2 is at least as good as the Sony 70/200 GII lens, it is even a tad better when the regions near the edge of the frames are considered. See, e.g. here, for objective data:

https://www.lenstip.com/662.4-Lens_..._f_2.8_Di_III_VC_VXD_G2_Image_resolution.html

https://www.lenstip.com/651.4-Lens_review-Sony_FE_70-200_mm_f_4_Macro_G_OSS_II_Image_resolution.html

At the positive side the Sony has 20mm more range, better build quality, is slightly (61g) lighter, has better IS (4EV vs. 3.3EV) and offers (a little bit) more "macro" capability (0.5x vs. 0.38x)...

In addition:

used with a 1.4 TC it goes to 0.75x and a reach of 280mm resulting in 100mm more reach. A little bit here and a little bit there all add up. I can't comment on the Tamron but use the 70-200/4 Macro as well as the E70-300 G.