Comparing the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens to the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8

The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD has been a remarkably popular lens, while the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM remains a top performer for standard zooms, albeit at nearly triple the price. Is that increased performance worth the price difference? This helpful video review helps answer that question.

Coming to you from Manny Ortiz, this great video compares the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens to the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens. Like every lens in the G Master line, the Sony is a top performer in all aspects, but it also has quite the price tag and is not a particularly light piece of glass. On the other hand, the Tamron is much cheaper and lighter and has impressively good image quality for the size and price, though the Sony edges it out. Nonetheless, that difference in image quality may not be enough to justify the price for some photographers. What may also matter to some photographers is the difference in focal lengths at the wide end. 24mm offers a noticeably wider perspective than 28mm, and you might want that extra bit. Check out the video above for Ortiz' full thoughts. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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8 Comments

Just another "article" to promote a YouTube video again...

Hey another post comparing two lenses that nobody in the Sony world is cross shopping. I'm pretty active on the Sony Alpha subreddit and there are near daily questions comparing the 24-105mm f4 and the 28-75mm Tamron. They're closer to the same price and while you give up aperture with the 24-105mm you gain both OSS and the focal length range. Can't recall the last time I heard of someone debating between these two.

I can’t recall this Not being debated against the GM. Why wouldn’t you? Everyone who uses it says it’s fantastic. Some even like it better than the GM, regardless of price.

Oh it is great. But people tend to either A) buy the 24-70mm GM cause they want GM glass and they didn't even consider the Tamron, B) have $2200 to spend and buy the Tamron plus 1-2 other lenses, or C) are cross shopping all the midrange zooms in the price bracket and compare the Tamron to maybe a used 24-105mm.

Literally everyone who shoots music in the Sony world, that doesn't have an unrestricted budget, would directly compare these two. The Tamron, while not perfect, is a great value IMO.

Exactly, it's so good that very few people compare them, they just buy the Tamron because they either don't have the money for the GM or they have the money but would rather get 2-3 great lenses instead of one. See my response to Wes Perry.

I will not watch the video. I own the GM lens and I'm very happy with it. I would never change. Yes the there is a price tag, but in my opinion it's worth it.

Spoiler alert: He liked the GM more.