Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G vs Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
Both are Sony E mount zooms for everyday and travel — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G | Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16-55mm | 20-40mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Coverage | APS-C | full-frame |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G covers 16-55mm and the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD covers 20-40mm — pick the range that matches what you shoot
- the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
- the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is first-party (Sony) for guaranteed full autofocus and in-camera corrections; the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is third-party — usually the value pick
Where to buy
Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 GSee price on Amazon
Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXDSee price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G and the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD?
The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is 16-55mm f/2.8 zoom, APS-C; the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is 20-40mm f/2.8 zoom, full-frame. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Do the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G and Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C). Note the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
More Sony E comparisons: Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II · Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS vs Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD · Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS vs Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE · Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G · all Sony E lenses · all comparisons