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Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II vs Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens

These are not substitutes: the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is a standard zoom for everyday and event work, and the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 is a telephoto zoom for reach and portraits. Buy the Sony if you want one fast lens covering wide to short telephoto with the best build and autofocus. Buy the Tamron if you already cover the wide end and need f/2.8 reach for less. Latest prices: $1,829.99 at eBay for the Sony and $999.00 at Adorama for the Tamron, both as of November 4, 2026.

Today the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens costs $1,449.00 less at its best price.

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Sony
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

4.9· 17 ratings
$2,448.00at Macy'sObserved at 12:12 PM
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Choose the Sony 24-70mm GM II if you shoot events, weddings or travel and want one constant f/2.8 zoom from wide angle to short telephoto with fast autofocus and a compact, dust- and moisture-resistant body.

Pros
  • Constant f/2.8 across 24-70mm, the most-used range for events and travel
  • Light for a fast standard zoom at 695 g
  • Very close focus at 0.21 m with 0.32x magnification
  • Fast, quiet autofocus suited to stills and video
  • Dust- and moisture-resistant with 11 aperture blades
Cons
  • More than $800 above the Tamron
  • No optical stabilization; depends on the camera body
  • No reach past 70mm for tight portraits or distant subjects
  • Only for Sony E-mount bodies
Tamron
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens

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

4.8· 335 ratings
$999.00at AdoramaObserved at 12:12 PM
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Choose the Tamron 70-180mm G2 if you need f/2.8 telephoto reach for portraits, sports or events, want in-lens stabilization, and already have a wide or standard lens.

Pros
  • f/2.8 at 70-180mm for about $999
  • Built-in VC stabilization helps in low light and on non-stabilized bodies
  • Covers the portrait and event telephoto range
  • Available for Sony E and Nikon Z
  • 335 ratings at 4.8 out of 5
Cons
  • No wide-angle coverage; you need a second lens below 70mm
  • Heavier than the Sony at about 855 g
  • Longer minimum focus distance and lower magnification
  • Less weather sealing than the Sony G Master

What separates them

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM IITamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens
Focal range24-70mm, wide angle to short telephoto70-180mm, short to medium telephoto
Price (new, as of November 4, 2026)$1,829.99 at eBay$999.00 at Adorama
Image stabilizationNone; relies on in-body stabilizationVC optical stabilization built in
Weight695 gAbout 855 g
Minimum focus distance0.21 m with floating focus, 0.32x magnificationAbout 0.3 m at 70mm, weaker close-up
Aperture blades11, rounder bokeh9
Weather sealingDust and moisture resistantMoisture-resistant construction, less sealed
MountsSony E onlySony E and Nikon Z versions

Price history

  • Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II: lowest $2,448.00 on Nov 4 at Macy's.
  • Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens: lowest $939.00 on Nov 4 at Abe's of Maine.

Prices at every store

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

  • Macy'sNew

    In stock

    $2,448.00Free shippingObserved at 12:12 PM
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  • SweetwaterNew

    In stock

    $2,448.00Free shippingObserved at 12:12 PM
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  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $2,449.99Free shippingObserved at 12:12 PM
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  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $2,448.00Free shippingObserved at 12:12 PM
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Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 6 stores and price history →

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

  • Macy'sNew

    In stock

    $999.00Observed at 12:12 PM
    Visit store
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioNew

    In stock

    $999.00Observed at 12:12 PM
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  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by BLUETECH DEALS

    $999.00Observed at 12:12 PM
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  • AdoramaNew

    In stock

    $999.00Observed at 12:12 PM
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Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • Abe's of MaineCheck price at Abe's of Maine
  • District CameraCheck price at District Camera
All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM IITamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens
Specialty TypePortrait, LandscapeTelephoto
Maximum Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
colorBlackBlack, For Nikon
Zoom Focal Length24-70mm—
DurabilityDust resistant, Moisture resistant—
Magnification0.32x—
Accessory TypeLens—
Hood TypePetal hood—
Lens TypeZoom lens—
Aperture Rangef/2.8—
Teleconv &Amp; Add-On LensesTeleconverter—
Elements20 elements—
Show all 28 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM IITamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens
Aperture Blades11—
Focus AdjustmentAutofocus—
Minimum Focus Distance0.21 m—
Focus HighlightsFloating focus mechanism—
Included AccessoriesLens hood—
Included HighlightsWith Lens Hood—
Diameter87.8 mm—
Length119.9 mm—
SizeSmaller—
Weight

What reviewers say

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Owners rate it very highly, 4.9 out of 5 from 17 ratings, and praise the sharpness, the lighter weight versus the first version and the fast focusing. Complaints center on price and on the lack of stabilization.

Pros
  • Sharp across the zoom range
  • Noticeably lighter than the original GM
  • Fast, accurate autofocus
  • Pleasing bokeh
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No in-lens stabilization
  • Costs more than third-party f/2.8 zooms

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

Owners rate it highly (4.8 out of 5 from 335 ratings) and treat it as the value pick among fast telephoto zooms for Sony. Most praise the sharpness, light weight and reliable autofocus; complaints center on the missing 200mm and the lack of a tripod collar.

Pros
  • Sharp wide open at f/2.8
  • Light enough to handhold for long shoots
  • Fast, accurate VXD autofocus
  • Effective stabilization
Cons
  • 180mm falls short of 200mm
  • No tripod collar in the box
  • Some vignetting and softness at the edges wide open

Questions and answers

Which is better for wedding photography?
Both, usually together. The Sony covers group shots and the room at 24-70mm; the Tamron covers tight portraits and ceremony reach at 70-180mm. If you can buy only one, the Sony's range is more versatile for a single-lens day.
Is the Sony worth the extra money?
If you want one fast standard zoom with the best autofocus, close focus and sealing, yes. If you mainly need telephoto reach, the Tamron delivers f/2.8 at 70-180mm for $999.00 at Adorama as of November 4, 2026, versus $1,829.99 at eBay for the Sony.
Which has better stabilization?
The Tamron has built-in VC; the Sony has none and relies on the camera's in-body stabilization. On a stabilized Sony body the gap narrows, but the Tamron still helps at long focal lengths.
Can I use the Tamron on a Nikon camera?
Yes, a Nikon Z version exists. The Sony FE 24-70mm GM II is Sony E-mount only.
Which is better for portraits?
The Tamron, for its 70-180mm f/2.8 range and compression. The Sony works for environmental portraits at 50-70mm but cannot reach 135-180mm.
Which is easier to carry all day?
The Sony at 695 g is lighter and shorter. The Tamron is about 855 g and extends further, so it balances less well on small bodies.

More comparisons

  • Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
  • Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens
  • Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens
  • Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens vs Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Sony E-mount lenses
695 g
—
Image StabilizationNo—
Minimum Aperturef/22—
Mount—Sony E
Image Stabilizing—Yes
Aspherical—Yes
Type—Zoom