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Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — Prime/Zoom
Sony

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Prime/Zoom

93
/ 100
From $2,498
VS
Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS wins by 3
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 — Prime/Zoom
Tamron

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Prime/Zoom

90
/ 100
From $1,299
Specdex verdict

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lands at 93 and Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 at 90. That puts Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics

Pick Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 if…

  • ✓Fast aperture
  • ✓Quiet autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed (most)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS leads on sharpness (93 vs 90).

Build

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Compared on the build sub-score

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS leads on build (94 vs 88).

Autofocus

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS leads on af (92 vs 88).

Value for money

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $2,498).

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS 93
vs
90 Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Score breakdown

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
93
sharpness 93
af 92
build 94
value 84
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
90
sharpness 90
af 88
build 88
value 85

Specs side-by-side

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS versus Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 — full spec comparison
Spec Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Weight varies
  • −Price scales with quality

FAQ: Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS vs Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2

Which is better, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS scores 93 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS worth the price? +

At $2,498, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in build.

Is Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 worth the price? +

At $1,299, Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — leads on sharpness (93 vs 90). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for build, Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS or Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2? +

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS — leads on build (94 vs 88). Compared on the build sub-score.