Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
What Buyers Say
Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
The Sony/Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is praised for its exceptional optical quality, delivering tack-sharp images with smooth bokeh and minimal chromatic aberration. Users love it for wedding and portrait photography, but note it is very large and heavy for a mirrorless lens, making it less ideal for casual walk-around use. The build quality is rock-solid, and the aperture ring with de-click option is a nice bonus, though the price is high and the lens is specialized.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness wide open
- Smooth and pleasing bokeh
- Minimal chromatic aberration and distortion
- Rock-solid build quality
- Aperture ring with de-click option
Cons
- Very large and heavy for mirrorless
- Expensive price point
- Not ideal for casual walk-around use
- Focus-by-wire system
- Heavy for long carry
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Scores
Specifications
| Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm | Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 35 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 14 | 19 |
| Groups | 10 | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| Coating | Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11★ | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | full-frame★ | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.52 kg★ | 0.62 kg |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | XD Linear Motors★ | VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.23x | 1:2★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony G Master SEL35F14GM 35mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong optical (79th percentile)
- Strong build (68th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average social proof (17th percentile)17th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III-A 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 82 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
