Sony’s new 50-150mm F2 GM has created a lot of buzz for being the first full frame zoom to reach to 150mm with a constant maximum aperture of F2.  Tamron was the first genre boosting zoom like this back in 2021, coupling a bigger zoom range (35-150mm) with a variable aperture of F2-F2.8.  Is the premium G Master lens worth twice as much, however?  We’re going to go head to head to find out.

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The Sony GM lens was loaned to me by Sony Canada, and the Tamron is my own personal lens purchased in 2021. As always, this is a completely independent review. *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with my Sony a7RV or Sony Alpha 1 cameras. You can find the product page for the Tamron 35-150mm VXD here.

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Sony Reviews | Text | Video

Tamron Reviews | Video Review | Text Review

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Similarities

• Both have thorough weather sealing (gasket, seals, fluorine)
• Both can do smooth aperture racks
• Both have issues with flare, particularly on the telephoto end

Neutral Differences

• White lens vs black lens debate

Reasons to Choose TAMRON:

1. Much, much cheaper  ($1699 vs $3898)
2. Bigger zoom range
3. Much smaller 89.2 vs 158mm vs 102.8 x 200mm (about 32% less volume)
4. Lighter (1165 vs 1340g)
5. 82 vs 85mm filters
6. Slightly less fringing
7. Rounder bokeh balls
8. Sometimes nicer rendering (at 150mm)
9. Personally prefer Tamron colors

Reasons to Choose GM

1. Faster maximum aperture (Tamron F2.2 by 50mm, F2.8 by 85mm)
2. Higher magnification (0.20x vs 0.18x)
3. Much better aperture control
4. Better build
5. Internal zoom
6. Tripod foot
7. 11 vs 9 aperture blades
8. Quad XD linear vs single VXD
9. Less focus breathing
10. More shallow depth of field
11. More consistently sharp
12. Better contrast
13. Baked in Sony perks (faster burst, focus breathing compensation)

Conclusion

These are similar lenses in some ways and very different in others. If you own the Tamron already and mostly use it for portraits or events, it may not be worth spending the significant amount of money to upgrade. If you are going to shoot action or sports (particularly professionally), the Sony makes all kinds of sense. The Sony is the better lens in a lot of ways, but more than 2x better? My opinion is that it really depends on what you plan to do with it.

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GEAR USED:

Purchase the Sony 50-150mm F2 GM @ B&H Photo | Sony USA | Sony Canada | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany

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Purchase the Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 VXD @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada |  Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

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Purchase the Sony a7RV @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Sony Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

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Purchase the Sony a7IV @ B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada | Sony Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany 

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Purchase the Sony Alpha 1 @ Camera Canada | B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon | Sony Canada | Amazon Canada |  Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

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