Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
GM II · 1045g · OIS · L-Series benchmark
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Sony E · f/2.8 · 540g · $899
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lands at 96 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 at 91. That puts Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II if…
- ✓29% lighter than original 70-200 GM
- ✓Industry-best AF with linear motors
- ✓Excellent close focus
Pick Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 if…
- ✓540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
- ✓Better than first-party G Master at $899
- ✓Quiet VXD AF motor
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testAutofocus
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS IICompared on the autofocus sub-score
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II leads on af (100 vs 92).
Sharpness
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS IICompared on the sharpness sub-score
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II leads on sharpness (96 vs 92).
Build
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS IICompared on the build sub-score
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II leads on build (96 vs 88).
Value for money
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 more score per dollar ($899 vs $2,799).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Focal length | 70-200 mm | 28-75 mm |
| Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Construction | 17 elements / 14 groups | 17 elements / 15 groups |
| Stabilization | OSS | — |
| Min focus | 0.40 m (wide) / 0.82 m (tele) | 0.18 m |
| Filter | 77 mm | 67 mm |
| Weight | 1045 g | ▲ 540 g |
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
- +29% lighter than original 70-200 GM
- +Industry-best AF with linear motors
- +Excellent close focus
- −Premium pricing
- −Heavy at 1045g
- −External zoom changes balance
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
- +540g — lightest f/2.8 24-70 alternative
- +Better than first-party G Master at $899
- +Quiet VXD AF motor
- −28mm wide-end vs 24mm of Sony GM
- −No image stabilization
- −No fluorine front coating
FAQ: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Which is better, Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II worth the price? +
At $2,799, Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in af.
Is Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 worth the price? +
At $899, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in value.
Does Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III 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 autofocus, Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II — leads on af (100 vs 92). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.
Which is better for sharpness, Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2? +
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II — leads on sharpness (96 vs 92). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.