Head-to-head · Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II vs Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #4 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

4.3

3 sources2 derived$2,598as of Aug 1

Sony's second-generation 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master completes the pro f/2.8 zoom trinity for E-mount and sets the bar for the class. It is dramatically lighter than its predecessor, delivers some of the most consistent wide-angle sharpness reviewers have tested, and focuses almost instantly. The price and some flare-related ghosting are the only real reservations.

Strengths

— The most consistent wide-angle zoom optical performance reviewers have measured, sharp corner-to-corner from f/2.8
— About 20% lighter than the Mark I at 547g, the world's smallest and lightest full-frame f/2.8 wide zoom at launch
— Quad XD linear motors deliver essentially instantaneous, near-silent autofocus on Sony's better bodies

Watch-outs

— At $2,298 it is far pricier than the Tamron and Sigma f/2.8 alternatives
— Complex barrel distortion at 16mm needs a heavy correction profile (around +24)
— Ghosting and purple blobs can appear shooting toward bright light sources, even stopped down to f/8

$2,598 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Wide-Angle Lenses for Sony E-Mount

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

4.3

3 sources2 derived$899as of Aug 1

The Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD is the value champion of fast Sony wide zooms. It combines near-G-Master center sharpness with a genuinely pocketable 420g body and a constant f/2.8 aperture, all for under $900. The compromises are a narrower zoom range and slightly soft close-focus corners, but as a light, weather-sealed travel wide-angle it is hard to fault.

Strengths

— Center sharpness rivals and at times matches the Sony G Master, especially on distant subjects
— Exceptionally compact and light at 420g and about 10cm long
— Constant f/2.8 aperture at less than half the price of the Sony GM II

Watch-outs

— Restrictive 1.6x zoom range that stops at 28mm rather than 35mm
— Full-frame corners can be a bit soft at close 1-2m focus distances
— Very short working distance at the wide end limits close-up framing

$899 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II

It is the sharpest and best-built option here, but at $2,298 it costs more than twice the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD or Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary, which deliver most of the optical quality for far less. Unlike the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 20mm F1.8 G primes, it covers a flexible 16-35mm range in one lens.

Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

It is the lightest and one of the cheapest fast zooms here, undercutting the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II by roughly $1,400 while matching much of its center sharpness. Against the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary it is similar in concept but starts at 17mm rather than 16mm and uses a 67mm rather than 72mm filter. Unlike the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM and FE 20mm F1.8 G primes, it offers a zoom range, albeit a short one.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II	Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Focal Length	16-35mm	17-28mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8 (constant)	f/2.8 (constant)
Mount	Sony E (full-frame)	Sony E (full-frame)
Weight	547g	420g
Filter Thread	82mm	67mm
Stabilization	None (relies on in-body IS)	None (relies on in-body IS)
Minimum Focus	0.22m	—
Aperture Blades	11	9
Length	—	99mm

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