Sony FE SEL85F18/2 85mm
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Sony FE SEL85F18/2 85mm
The Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, silent autofocus. Users consistently praise its lightweight yet solid build and excellent value for money, often comparing it favorably to much more expensive GM lenses. While a few long-term users report failures in the focus motor and aperture control, and some note chromatic aberration wide open, the vast majority find it an indispensable lens for portraits, and many also enjoy it for street photography and video. Its compact size makes it a favorite for travel, and the included lens hood and customizable focus hold button add to its appeal.
Pros
- razor-sharp images
- beautiful bokeh and background blur
- fast and silent autofocus
- excellent value for money
- lightweight and compact design
Cons
- focus motor failure in long term
- aperture control failure in long term
- chromatic aberration wide open
- limited macro capability
- minimum focus distance too long
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile 28-300mm focal range
- Smooth zoom ring operation
- Compact build for travel
- Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
- Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
- Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
- Not an internal zoom lens
- Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
Scores
Specifications
| Sony FE SEL85F18/2 85mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 85 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 85 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 20 |
| Groups | 8 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| Coating | — | fluorine coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.8 | 4-7.1 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.37 kg★ | 0.59 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Double linear motor system | VXD linear motor |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 800 mm | 190 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.13x | 1:3.8★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony FE SEL85F18/2 85mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong social proof (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average aperture (20th percentile)20th %ile
- Below average bokeh (23rd percentile)
- Below average macro (30th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
