Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Sony FE SEL2070G 20-70mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is widely praised for its sharpness, versatile zoom range, constant aperture, and effective stabilization, making it an excellent all-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users appreciate its solid build quality and value for money, though many note it is noticeably heavier and larger than typical kit lenses, which can feel unbalanced on smaller camera bodies. A few reviewers mention minor issues like chromatic aberration at the longer end and noise from the aperture blades at certain settings, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- sharp image quality across zoom range
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- effective image stabilization
- fast and quiet autofocus
- versatile 17-70mm focal range
Cons
- heavy and large for APS-C body
- chromatic aberration at 50-70mm
- aperture blade noise above f/5.6
- short zoom throw initially stiff
- no aperture ring on Fuji version
Sony FE SEL2070G 20-70mm
The Sony 20-70mm f4 G lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and versatile focal range, making it an excellent travel companion. Users appreciate the extra 4mm at the wide end compared to the 24-105mm, which enhances creative options for landscapes. A few drawbacks include noticeable field curvature at wide angles and the lack of a zoom lock to prevent lens creep. Overall, it is considered a significant upgrade over kit lenses and older models.
Pros
- Excellent edge-to-edge sharpness
- Compact and lightweight design
- Versatile 20-70mm focal range
- Great for travel and landscapes
- Fast and reliable autofocus
Cons
- Noticeable field curvature at wide end
- No zoom lock to prevent lens creep
- Slight noise in dark interiors at f4
- Not available at f2.8
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Sony FE SEL2070G 20-70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 17 mm | 20 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 70 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 16 |
| Groups | 12 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | fluorine coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.54 kg | 0.49 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | RXD | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 190 mm★ | 250 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.8★ | 0.39x |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Strong optical (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong bokeh (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong social proof (87th percentile)87th %ile
Sony FE SEL2070G 20-70mm
- Strong social proof (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong bokeh (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average stabilization (35th percentile)
Pricing
Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD offers 2.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.
