Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G vs Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD
Both are Sony E mount zooms for travel and wide-angle — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G | Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20-70mm | 11-20mm |
| Max aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Coverage | full-frame | APS-C |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD opens wider (f/2.8) — brighter in low light and more background blur
- the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G covers 20-70mm and the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD covers 11-20mm — pick the range that matches what you shoot
- the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
- the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G is first-party (Sony) for guaranteed full autofocus and in-camera corrections; the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is third-party — usually the value pick
Where to buy
Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 GSee price on Amazon
Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXDSee price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G and the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD?
The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G is 20-70mm f/4 zoom, full-frame; the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is 11-20mm f/2.8 zoom, APS-C. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Which is better in low light, the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G or the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD?
The Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD — its f/2.8 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/4 of the other.
Do the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G and Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD 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 Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
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